RI Department of Corrections converts 90% of its facilities to energy efficient LED
With 1.3 million square feet of facilities in Cranston at the Pastore Government Center, the DOC is home to some of the oldest buildings in the state. DOC has 11 buildings, including its Maximum-Security facility, which was built in 1878.
DOC has an average of 2,300 inmates and aims to maintain a safe environment for them as well as the employees – adequate lighting is a big factor in safety. The agency was using older fluorescent lights throughout its facilities and was overdue for an upgrade to energy efficient LED lights.
In the past two years, DOC has converted 90% of its facilities to LED lighting and it plans to have 100% of its lighting upgraded in the next year. At the same time, the agency improved its HVAC system by installing piping insulation and steam traps.
DOC received $1.3 million in utility incentives to complete the LED retrofit project. These lighting upgrades have resulted in significant cost savings for the agency. The projected total energy savings from these projects is 4,686,644 kWh annually, which is enough energy to power 781 homes annually.
“We are thrilled about the lighting upgrades at our facilities,” said Anthony Feole, assistant director of maintenance at the DOC. “OER was a huge help to us. They broke the project into steps and provided technical support to help make the process easier. If this can be done in a prison, it can be done in any other state agency.”
DOC is leading by example by demonstrating that even the oldest and most difficult buildings in the state can convert to energy efficient LEDs.