Any Middletown, Portsmouth or Newport resident who is interested in knowing more about island-wide energy initiatives is invited to attend the next meeting of the Aquidneck Island Energy Alliance, this Monday, Jan. 30, at 5 p.m., at the offices of the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, 437 Broadway, Newport.

The meeting will include updates on the smart meters/energy dashboards that have been installed in Middletown schools, as well as information from the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Siting Partnership, which has been studying wind turbine guidelines for the state.

“The smart meters are still collecting baseline data and the on-line dashboard is also close to completion,” says Sarah Cookson, energy coordinator for AIPC, who will have more detailed info at the Jan. 30 meeting. News regarding the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Siting Partnership (RESP) is expected to revolve around a discussion of the impacts of wind turbines on aesthetics, electromagnetic interference, shadow flicker, and property values, that took place at a recent RESP meeting.

With a stated mission to “mobilize, educate, and empower Aquidneck Island communities to better understand the dynamics of island energy use and production and to support the development of sustainable energy practices,” the Aquidneck Island Energy Alliance brings stakeholders together to brainstorm and share information about energy initiatives.

Formed just two years ago, the group is part of the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission’s energy program, an island-wide effort to help Middletown, Newport, and Portsmouth collaborate on such important goals as: energy conservation and efficiency in municipal and school buildings; community education about alternative energy; and development of an energy policy for reducing the island’s carbon output.

The Energy Alliance is made up of a group of public officials, non-profit leaders, energy experts, and citizens. For more information about the Energy Alliance, contact Sarah Cookson, at AIPC, sarah@aquidneckplanning.org, 401-845-9299.