Side of the Rhode: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not? - June 7, 2024

HOT

Good News for Environment and Pocketbook

If Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island achieve their shared goal of developing 9 GWs of offshore wind by 2030, residents will see significant energy bill savings and lemissions reductions, according to a new report. 

According to the research, 9 GWs offshore wind by 2030 sould:  

- Reduce New England electricity customers’ bills by approximately $2.79/month to $4.61/month, depending on future gas prices. 

- Save New England an average of $630 million annually on electricity costs, with net savings in some years surpassing $1.3 billion under a mid-case natural gas price.

- Retain approximately $1.57 billion in New England that would have otherwise flowed out to purchase gas fuel. Cut 42% of annual CO2 emissions from the New England power sector. That’s 14 million short tons of CO2 gone. 

- Provide $362 million in annual public health benefits by avoiding 3,700 short tons of NOX emissions, 824 tons of SO2 emissions, and 641 tons of PM2.5 emissions annually.

Already, 2024 has been the biggest year yet for OSW in New England. Vineyard Wind, the nation’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm, powered on in January.

In March, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island held a successful tri-state auction. Then, in April, the Department of Interior announced a 15 GW Gulf of Maine auction, including eight lease areas off the shore of Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. 

There Are Olympians, and Then There Are Special Olympians

This past weekend, Derrek A'Vant won 3 gold medals in the bench press, deadlift, and best overall lifter in his weight class at the URI Special Olympics games.

He deadlifted 303 lbs at 143 lb body weight. 

Pretty special!

HOT

WNBA

Caitlin Clark takes a hard foul, and everyone is talking.

She has transformed sports and gender as much as anyone since Billie Jean King.

PHOTO: University of Iowa

HOT

Brilliant

GoLocal's art contributor Michael Rose has a great take about an emerging creative star:

AS220’s downtown galleries opened new exhibitions on June 1 and the offerings contain strong points of view that highlight personal stories. One of the most potent and moving exhibitions is in the organization’s smallest gallery, where artist and designer Hannah Liongoren is sharing a collection of comics that reflect on Filipino identity. It is well worth a visit.

Taking place in AS220’s Reading Room, an intimate space at 93 Mathewson Street, Liongoren’s exhibition is titled Filipinas|now and shows off a collection of semi-autobiographical comics that explore the immigrant experience. Directly illustrated and full of poignant narrative, the work is a must-see.

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HOT

Porchfest Is On

On June 8, the 2nd annual Providence Porchfest returns to the city. This year’s festival promises to be a celebration of local music and community, featuring some of the region’s most talented and admired musicians.

With over 60 musical performances spread across the East Side, fans can stroll the streets and enjoy a variety of music on porches, driveways, and front lawns of neighborhood homes. The list of performers includes local favorites Mark Cutler, Allysen Callery, Beth Barron, Lastself, High Planes, and The Lazy Susans among others.

The 2024 schedule and an updated list of bands can be found at www.pvdporchfest.com.

Porchfest music festivals began as a means for neighbors and local community members to showcase local music on their front porches. The original Porchfest event was held in Ithaca, New York in 2007 with 20 bands. It is estimated that there are over 175 Porchfests currently being held across the United States and Canada.

Admission is free, and all are welcome. Inquires can be sent to [email protected].

NOT

McKee & Altivi's Economic Development Plan

This week, another long-time Providence business announced its closure.

Noodles 102 in Fox Point said in a statement that the bridge failure is responsible for their demise. 

“It is with a heavy heart here that we share with all of you that Noodles 102 will be closing its doors on Saturday, June 8, 2024. After an incredible 17 years, this decision to move on is a result of the harsh economic conditions we are facing and the I-195 bridge repairs," they wrote. 

Add Noodles 102 to a growing list of longstanding businesses that closed after decades citing the drop in sales due to the impact of the failure of the Washington Bridge.

NOT

Money, Money Money

A GoLocal Editorial addresses the personal gain of elected officials.

You gotta love these two — James Diossa and Lou DiPalma.

They are “public servants.”

They are always smiling.

Diossa has seen the world multiple times over without ever dipping into his own pocket. He travels to Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. He is living good in the sun.

He did it as Mayor of Central Falls, and now, as General Treasurer, Diossa continues to be the traveling man. He gets to see some of the great cities of the world, stay at top-tier hotels, and eat at the best restaurants — and he pays nothing.

Third parties and taxpayers pick up the bills.

In total, Diossa's trips as mayor were paid for by third parties and paid by the City of Central Falls for a total of nearly 50 junkets and cost of more than $80,000.

Of the 26 trips GoLocal uncovered, ten of them were international, including East Timor, Malaysia, England, Mexico, Colombia, China, and multiple trips to Israel and Taiwan.

Diossa's campaign in 2022 claimed that those 26 trips were paid for entirely by third parties.

But that claim by Diossa's team was a lie.

GoLocal unveiled in 2022 that the affable Diossa had repeatedly falsely completed financial disclosure forms of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission.

Now, you know why Diossa is always smiling.

Financial Genius

Then, there is the case of Senate Finance Committee chair Lou DiPalma.

He represents a number of communities, including Newport.

Professionally, DiPalma is a mid-level engineer for defense contractor Raytheon at one of its dozens of facilities.

Along comes the fabulously wealthy Nicholas Schorsch, the once billionaire who is buying up large parts of Newport — breweries, restaurants, and real estate.

Schorsch befriended DiPalma and, because of his “financial expertise,” asked DiPalma to serve on the board of a New York real estate company’s board.

Hmm.

DiPalma joined the board of directors of American Strategic Investment Corp (ASIC) officially on December 14, 2022, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Since he was appointed an "independent director," he has received compensation of approximately $200,000 in cash, stock, and fees. 

DiPalma says there is no conflict or even an appearance of a conflict relative to his serving on the board.

“ASIC has properties in New York City and nothing related to Rhode Island. The question what does ASIC get from the state of Rhode Island? The answer is nothing,” said DiPalma.

However, according to American Strategic financial documents, CVS is one of the company's top tenants, ranked as the 6th largest corporation overall.

CVS is headquartered in Rhode Island and has received tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks from the state. According to a website that tracks state and federal subsidies to companies — CVS has received $156,312,001 from the State of Rhode Island.

DiPalma, too, is an affable and is always smiling.

They live the good life.

Somebody is always picking up the tab or sticking money in their pockets.

Life is good. Always smiling.

NOT

Struggles to Answer a Question

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley seems to struggle to answer nearly any question about his administration.

By the way, his administration is actually paid for by taxpayers. 

Did he know his director of human resources had three other gigs? Seems like a basic question, but he refuses to answer it. 

Why?

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NOT

CEO Salaries - "Greed Is Good"

Since Pennsylvania’s PPL bought Narragansett Electric and rebranded it RI Energy, energy prices both for gas and especially electricity have skyrocketed in Rhode Island.

In each of the past two winters, Rhode Islanders have seen electricity costs for homeowners and businesses jumping as much as 50% in a single year.

The increase in electricity costs jumped 47% in 2022 after regulators approved RI Energy’s rate increase.

At the same time Rhode Islanders were getting hammered, the CEO of RI Energy’s parent company, PPL, saw a massive increase in his compensation package.

Vincent Sorgi, the CEO and President, realized a 31% increase to $12 million a year, according to PPL's financial reports.

In 2022 Sorgi’s full compensation was $9,146,575. 

PPL said in a statement to GoLocal said, "Regarding Mr. Sorgi’s compensation, specifically, CEO compensation is set by a committee of PPL’s Board of Directors, one comprised entirely of independent directors. More than 85% of our CEO’s compensation is at risk, based on performance against operational and financial goals aligned with increasing value for customers and shareholders."

PHOTO: PR PPL