Specifications include, but are not limited to: A. Stakeholder Involvement and Project Management • The vendor shall convene a URI Energy and Carbon Reduction Master Plan stakeholder group with assistance from the Office of Utilities o The group should include at a minimum, individuals from the Rhode Island Department of Energy Resources and the following University offices: Division of Administration and Finance, Planning and Real Estate Development, Facilities Operations, Office of Utilities, Office of Capital Projects, and the Office of the Provost. • The vendor shall prepare and present to the stakeholders a minimum of three presentations including (1) Project introduction and kick off meeting, (2) URI current baseline and regulatory requirements, and (3) presentation of findings and recommendations. • The vendor should plan on holding virtual meetings with a smaller group of University representatives throughout the project. This cadence is expected to be weekly during the project’s initial stages and bi-weekly as the project advances. B. Climate and Energy Regulatory Requirements Impacting URI The University and State of Rhode Island are on the forefront of climate change action. Through the 2021 Act on Climate and the Lead by Example executive order, Rhode Island has set some of the most aggressive greenhouse gas emission limits in the country. The vendor shall summarize these and other State utility-related laws or requirements and note the specific compliance implications for URI. Furthermore, this regulatory analysis should also consider compliance with federal laws and guidelines. C. Baseline Analysis Determine existing greenhouse gas emission inventories for the University and establish URI’s current baseline for energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Evaluate historical energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and forecast future expectations based on current trends should no planning changes be implemented. Compare this trend with regulatory requirements and timeline. • Calculate GHG emissions for the prior three years for the University. Use existing GHG reporting from prior years and develop a GHG emission profile. • Summarize past energy conservation measures and impacts to the university’s energy demand. • Determine the University’s current and future energy purchasing needs, capital investment, operating costs, and greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) assuming URI maintains its existing heating and cooling systems and energy sourcing (i.e., natural gas, grid electricity, and ultra-low sulfur heating fuel) through 2050.
