Energy topics and voices at URI’s 2025 ‘Plugged Into Energy’ lecture series

KINGSTON, R.I. – Nov. 3, 2025 – The University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension Energy Literacy Initiative is hosting its annual Plugged Into Energy Research lecture series this fall. The goal is to increase literacy around energy topics of concern in Rhode Island. All are welcome.

This year’s series includes three lectures, with one in Providence in Spanish (with translation):

The first two lectures will examine “Powering Comfort and Cost Savings: Rhode Island Voices on Home Weatherization.” Part 1 takes place at the Providence Public Library, 150 Empire St., Providence, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 6 to 7 p.m. (in Spanish with English translation available) and Part II on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 7 to 8 p.m. (English with Spanish translation available) in the URI Higgins Welcome Center, 45 Upper College Rd., Kingston.

Sixty community members participated in this year’s ‘Efficient Housing for All’ program; participant voices will be presented at the first two PIER lectures.

The lectures will highlight the personal experiences of homeowners, renters and landlords who have taken part in the home weatherization process through Rhode Island’s energy efficiency program. Homeowners and landlords can learn about incentives for participation and renters can get tips on getting started. The workshops are intended to inspire attendees to take the next step in weatherizing their homes to increase comfort, energy affordability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from higher energy use.

The final program of the series on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 7 to 8 p.m., Higgins Welcome Center, will address “Power for All,” tackling energy inequity through community collaboration. This lecture will highlight efforts to improve participation in residential energy efficiency programs in Rhode Island, exploring ways to elevate community voices for informed policymaking and meaningful change. Speakers will discuss findings and takeaways from initiatives to improve energy efficiency participation in Rhode Island.

All sessions are free and open to the public.

“All Rhode Island Energy customers, including renters, can receive a no-cost home energy assessment to identify weatherization upgrades that can help them reduce energy costs,” says Acting Rhode Island Office of Energy Commissioner Chris Kearns ’08. “The University of Rhode Island energy lecture series offers an excellent opportunity for residents to learn about these and other energy-saving options.”

“This lecture series has been a great way for us to bring together thought leaders, researchers, practitioners, and consumers in the region working toward a cleaner, more efficient energy system,” says Kate Hardesty, program administrator for Cooperative Extension. “This year, we are highlighting community voices as a means of promoting energy efficiency program accessibility among our most vulnerable neighbors.”

Cooperative Extension’s Energy Literacy Initiative was first established in an effort to bring information about scientific findings in energy to the public, and this year, sought to hear directly from the residents and community-based workers on home energy efficiency matters. The lecture series will share findings from this work and provide information about no cost home energy assessments and low to no cost energy efficiency retrofits for homes across Rhode Island.

All lectures are free and open to all. Registration is required. To learn more or RSVP, visit URI’s Cooperative Extension website. A livestream will be available for those who wish to tune in virtually. Past lectures are available via YouTube.

The series is made possible with support from the Rhode Island Energy Efficiency Council.

Questions? Contact Kate Hardesty at kate@uri.edu.