Fishers Island selected as DOE’s Energy Transition Initiative Partnership Program Participant

September 2024
Contributed by James Ingram
Fishers Island Fund

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has selected Fishers Island to participate in the Energy Transition Initiative Partnership Program (ETIPP).

“Coastal, remote, and island communities face unique energy challenges because of their geographic isolation, which often contributes to issues with energy access, quality, affordability, and reliability.

“Fishers Island, New York — An unbridged island located at the east end of Long Island Sound and 7 miles south of New London, Connecticut, Fishers Island has approximately 225 permanent residents who receive energy through two underwater cables and via diesel generation. However, power infrastructure provided by the island’s for-profit utility is aging and increasingly costly for ratepayers. Fishers Island’s ETIPP project will begin with energy planning focused on evaluating the local production and storage of energy, retaining low energy costs for residents, and building consensus around the community’s strategic energy goals.” NREL.gov (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

Fishers Island will receive a $50,000 cash grant and tens of thousands of dollars in technical assistance from DOE’s national energy labs to develop a strategic energy transition plan supported by technical analysis by engineers from the national energy labs.

The Fishers Island Fund* managed the application process that led to this award and will oversee a project to develop a strategic plan for transitioning the island’s energy infrastructure to next-generation energy sources.

The widespread support of Fishers Island community organizations greatly increased the application’s appeal to the DOE. Submitting letters of support were:

Currently, Fishers Island relies on electricity, fuel oil, propane, and some firewood from Waste Management’s free firewood program to heat its 600+ structures. Propane is often used for cooking and hot water heating, while gasoline powers vehicles. Electricity is used for lighting, electronics, water supply pumps, phones, internet access, and air conditioning.

However, this energy mix is expected to change as new technologies like solar offer cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternatives for residents.

The current energy infrastructure on Fishers Island is vulnerable to disruption from obsolescence, accidents, and natural forces, although the island has been fortunate to experience few disruptions over the years…a credit to the managers of these resources.

In the coming weeks, The Fishers Island Fund will be collaborating with DOE groups to organize a project, starting with the development of a strategic plan and followed by technical assistance in evaluating technologies that align with the objectives of the plan. Most of the interactions will occur using Zoom, but on-island visits by DOE visitors are also expected.

An important objective of this project will be to ensure that all elements of the community are involved and that the work of the project is accessible and transparent.

If you’re interested in more details, here is a recording of the welcoming seminar held by DOE for Fishers Island participants and other recipients of the awards.

*The Fishers Island Fund supports initiatives that benefit the residents of the Island. The directors are President George deMenil, Treasurer James Ingram, Secretary Sue Lusker, John McGillian, and Michael Roberts.

Ferry Park photo credit Diana Fiske 2024