♪ >> TONIGHT ON "RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY" - >> A NONPROFIT LENDER IS DETERMINED TO HELP LOW INCOME PEOPLE ONE LOAN AT A TIME.

>> WE HAVE AN ATTITUDE THAT POVERTY IS THE FAULT OF THE POOR.

AND IF ONLY PEOPLE DID NOT GO TO STARBUCKS ONCE A WEEK OR INVESTED BETTER, THEY WOULD NOT BE POOR.

>> HE'S BEEN DIGGING FOR RHODE ISLAND CLAMS SINCE HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP?

>> WE USED TO FIND 100 SOMETHING.

NOW I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF WE HAVE 100 FULL-TIME GUYS.

>> IT FEELS LIKE HE HAS NARRAGANSETT BAY TO HIMSELF.

>> THESE ARE ALL FISHING GROUNDS.

DO YOU SEE ANY GUYS?

>> NO.

♪ >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY."

I AM PAMELA WATTS.

I AM MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL.

BENJAMIN FRANKEN SAID, "BEWARE OF LITTLE EXPENSES.

A SMALL LEAK WILL SINK A GREAT SHIP."

A CAR BREAKS DOWN, AND UNINSPECTED MEDICAL EXPENSE ARISES.

IT CAN THROW FAMILY ON THE EDGE OF POVERTY INTO AN INESCAPABLE CYCLE OF DEBT.

FOR MANY IN NEED OF A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS, PAYDAY LOANS ARE A QUICK AND EASY SOURCE OF CASH.

BUT THE HIGH INTEREST RATES ON THOSE LOANS MEAN BORROWERS CAN END UP PAYING FEES WORTH MORE THAN THE AMOUNT OF THE ORIGINAL LOAN.

A BROWN UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SET OUT TO CREATE A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO GET AN AFFORDABLE LOAN.

AFTER WITNESSING THE PRICE OF BEING POOR.

>> MANY PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED AT HOW DIFFERENT THE REALITY IS OF POOR AND LOW-INCOME AMERICANS COMPARED TO THEIRS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT POOR OR LOW INCOME.

HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS TO BE POOR.

>> ANDY POSTER SAYS HE'S ON A MISSION TO CREATE PATHWAYS OUT OF POVERTY.

IN 2009, HE FOUNDED CAPITAL GOOD FUND, A DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION BASED IN PROVIDENCE.

>> EVERY TIME YOU APPLY FOR A LOAN YOU EVALUATE THE DEBT LOAD TO MAKE SURE THE LOAN WILL HELP YOU, NOT BUT EVEN MORE OF A DEBT BURDEN.

>> OVER THE PAST 12 YEARS, HE SAYS CAPITAL GOOD FUND HAS ISSUED 7000 LOANS WORTH $15 MILLION.

>> TWO THIRDS OF THE CLIENTS COME FROM FEMALE-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS.

THE VAST MAJORITY ARE LOW INCOME.

MOST WORK IN THE SERVICE ECONOMY.

>> LAST YEAR, THE LENDER GAVE A RECORD AMOUNT OF MONEY WITH INTEREST RANGING FROM 5% 18% DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF LOAN.

THE ORGANIZATION ALSO OFFERED CLIENTS FINANCIAL COACHING.

WHAT DID BORROWERS TELL YOU ABOUT THE HARDSHIPS THEY WERE FACING DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THE REASONS THEY NEEDED MONEY?

>> WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF BASIC NEEDS.

FOOD AND CLOTHING.

A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES.

THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

OTHER NEEDS DID NOT GO AWAY.

CAR REPAIR AND OTHER TYPES OF BILLS.

>> DEBORAH WAS ONE OF THE MANY PEOPLE WHO TURNED TO CAPITAL GOOD FUND LAST YEAR FOR HELP.

>> MY FINANCES, ALL MY PAYMENTS AND EVERYTHING WAS BASED ON TWO JOBS.

FIRST I LOST ONE, THAT I LOST THE SECOND ONE.

YES, THE PANDEMIC HIT.

EVERYTHING CHANGED FOR ME.

>> SHE LOST HER TWO JOBS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SHE COULD NO LONGER AFFORD TO LIVE ALONE.

SHE REACHED OUT TO CAPITAL GOOD FUND AND RECEIVED A $1200 LOAN TO PAY FOR MOVING EXPENSES.

>> WHAT WHAT HAPPEN IF THEY DID NOT EXIST?

HOW WOULD YOU HAVE PAID FOR LIVING EXPENSES?

>> PROBABLY HAVE TO TAKE A PERSONAL LOAN OR PAYDAY LOAN IN ANOTHER PLACE WITH VERY DIFFERENT INTEREST AND -- I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

>> SHE HAS ONE YEAR TO PAY IT BACK THE LOAN WITH A 5% INTEREST RATE.

SHE SAYS IT'S A MUCH MORE AFFORDABLE OPTION THAN THE PAYDAY LOANS SHE HAS TAKEN OUT IN THE PAST.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE EASY MONEY.

OK, I HAVE SOLVED MY PROBLEM, BUT NOW I HAVE A BIGGER ONE.

I HAVE TO PAY THAT AND MORE.

A LOT MORE.

>> IT IS A STORY AND HE HAS HEARD TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

THE LURE OF FAST CASH LEADS TO BIG PROBLEMS.

>> HERE I WAS SEEING BASICALLY THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM COULD BE A TOOL TO UPLIFT OR OF OPPRESSION.

WHEN IT COMES TO SMALL DOLLAR ONE WAS OFFERING AN EQUITABLE ALTERNATIVE TO PAY LOANS.

I DECIDED TO START AN ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE.

>> BACK IN 2008, HE WAS PURSUING A MASTERS DEGREE AT BROWN UNIVERSITY IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES WHEN HE SAYS HE WAS INSPIRED BY THE ECONOMIST MOHAMMED YUNIS.

IN 2006, HE WON THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE.

HIS BANK PROVIDE SMALLEST THOSE TWO POOR PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.

IMPLANTED THE SEED OF AN IDEA FOR POSNER.

>> I DID FOCUS GROUPS AND BEFRIENDED COMMUNITY LEADERS AND MEMBERS AND SPOKE TO THEM.

THEY EDUCATED ME ON WHAT THEY FACED AND WHAT THEY NEED.

>> ACCORDING TO THE CENTER FOR RESPONSIBLE LENDING, RHODE ISLAND HAS THE HIGHEST INTEREST RATE ON PAYDAY LOANS IN NEW ENGLAND AT 261%.

THIS MAP SHOWS BOTH NEIGHBORING MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT HAVE STRONG RATE CAPS THAT STOP THE PAYDAY LOAN DEBT TRAP.

>> WE ARE PART OF A COALITION THAT HAS TRIED TO CAP THE INTEREST RATE AT 36%.

THE REASON WE HAVE NOT SUCCEEDED IS SIMPLE.

MONEY.

THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE OPPOSED TO THE RATE CAP ARE THE PEOPLE IN THE PAYDAY LOAN INDUSTRY.

>> LIAM MALLOY IS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND AND CHAIR OF THE ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT.

HE SAYS PAYDAY LOANS ARE THE SYMPTOM OF A BIGGER PROBLEM.

>> OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS, REALLY 45 YEARS SINCE THE MID-1970'S, INCOME INEQUALITY HAS BEEN INCREASING.

WHILE ECONOMIC GROWTH HAS BEEN FAIRLY STRONG, THAT GROWTH HAS BEEN GOING TO THE TOP 5%, 1%, .1%, .01%.

EACH GROUP HAS A HIGHER GROWTH RATE THAN THE GROUP LOW IT.

-- BELOW IT.

THE MEDIAN INCOME FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES HAS BARELY RISEN.

>> PAYDAY LENDING STOREFRONTS TEND TO BE IN LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS.

THEY ARE MARKETED AS A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION FOR BORROWERS IN NEED OF QUICK MONEY.

ULTIMATELY DO THESE PAYDAY LOANS HELD BORROWERS OR DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD?

>> PAYDAY LENDING UNREGULATED DEFINITELY DOES MORE HARM THAN GOOD.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE BEST SOLUTION?

SHOULD WE OUTLAW IT AND SUPPORT NONPROFITS LIKE THE CAPITAL GOOD FUND?

THAT IS ONE OPTION.

TO BE REGULATE IT HEAVILY SO THEY CAN'T CHARGE THESE HIGH INTEREST RATES?

AND FEES?

IT'S AN INDUSTRY WHERE THERE ARE ENOUGH MARKET FAILURES THAT LEAVING IT UNREGULATED IS ONLY GOING TO BENEFIT THE LENDERS.

DEFINITELY NOT GOING TO BENEFIT THE BORROWERS.

>> HE IS WORKING TO CHANGE THAT.

HE SAYS MANY OF THE BORROWERS WHO APPROACH CAPITAL GOOD FUND HAVE BEEN SHUT OUT OF THE MAINSTREAM FINANCIAL SYSTEM BECAUSE THEY WERE DEEMED TOO RISKY FOR A LOAN.

MANY HAVE NOT FULLY RECOVERED FROM THE 2008 RECESSION.

>> OUR CLIENTS HAVE NOT BEEN DOING THAT MUCH BETTER PRE-PANDEMIC THAN THEY WERE IN THE FINANCIAL COLLAPSE.

THEY DID NOT HAVE AS FAR TO FALL.

>> PROFESSOR MALLOY SAYS THERE IS REASON TO BE OPTIMISTIC.

>> THE GOOD NEWS HOPEFULLY IS THE PHYSICAL RESPONSE TO THIS PANDEMIC RECESSION WAS MUCH STRONGER.

IN TERMS OF THE SO-CALLED STIMULUS CHECKS WHICH WERE MORE LIKE EMERGENCY RELIEF CHECKS, THE EXTRA UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, THOSE DID NOT CATCH EVERYBODY WHO WAS GOING TO SUFFER BUT THEY CAUGHT A LOT MORE PEOPLE THAN WE DID IN THE FINANCIAL CRISIS OF 2008 AND 2009.

>> CAPITAL GOOD FUND OPERATES IN SEVEN STATES AND HAS A REPAYMENT RATE OF 95%.

IT'S A RECORD POSNER AND HIS EMPLOYEES ARE PROUD OF CONSIDERING THEY OFFER BORROWERS A BREAK ON THEIR MONTHLY PAYMENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> SO THEY COULD GO THREE MONTHS WITHOUT PAYMENTS, DO INTEREST-ONLY.

THAT SORT OF RELATIONSHIP-DRIVEN APPROACH ALLOWED US TO KEEP PEOPLE ON TRACK AND WORK WITH HIM THROUGH THE CRISIS.

>> IT WAS A TOUGH YEAR FOR YALA NDA, BUT SHE IS GETTING BACK ON HER FEET.

>> I USED TO LIVE CHECK BY CHECK.

A GIFT I RECEIVED FROM GOOD FUND WAS NOT ONLY A LOAN THAT HELPED ME START AGAIN, THEY HELPED ME REGAIN MY SENSE OF WORTH.

>> IN HOPES OF HELPING OTHERS TO COME OUT FROM UNDER DEBT AND BEGIN AGAIN, AND HE SAYS HE HAS BIG PLANS FOR THE ORGANIZATION.

HE WANTS TO DELVE INTO MORTGAGE LENDING TO ASSIST MINORITIES IN BUYING HOMES.

HE'S ALSO LOOKING TO OFFERING STUDENT LOANS FOR DACA RECIPIENTS.

UP NEXT, STUFFY'S.

FRIED CLAMS, CLAM BAKES, CLAM CHOWDER ARE ALL SUMMERTIME STAPLES IN RHODE ISLAND.

THE POPULAR SHELLFISH FACED A SERIOUS THREAT FROM COVID-19.

RESTAURANT CLOSURES DUE TO THE PANDEMIC MEANT 2020 WAS THE TOUGHEST YEAR IN ALMOST A CENTURY FOR NEW ENGLAND FISHERMEN.

IN MAINE, THE LOGICAL PRODUCING STATE, LAST YEAR BROUGHT THE LEWIS HALL AND 90 YEARS.

IN RHODE ISLAND, THE QUAHOG HARVEST WAS DOWN 35%.

LOCAL FISHERMEN HOPE THE ROLLOUT OF VACCINES WILL ENABLE THEM TO RAKE IN MORE BUSINESS.

HERE'S CONTRIBUTE REPORTER DAVID WRIGHT.

>> THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER ARE FINALLY HERE.

MANY RHODE ISLANDERS THAT MEANS BEACHES, CLAM SHACKS, CLAM BAKES COMING INTO THEIR OWN.

IT MAY BE THE MOST COVID-SAFED CUISINE OPTION.

THE OUTDOOR SETTING IS IDEAL FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING, BUT WHAT A TREAT.

FOR THE QUAHOGERS THAT OF THE FOUNDERS OF THIS FEAST, IT'S BEEN A TOUGH WINTER.

HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT DID COVID HAVE?

>> IT STILL HAS AN IMPACT BECAUSE IT HAS NOT COME BACK TO NORMAL.

>> HE'S HER DIGGING SINCE HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP?

>> THIS TIME OF YEAR WE USED TO HAVE 100 SOMETHING BOATS ON THE WATER.

NOW I DON'T EVEN KNOW WE HAVE 100 FULL-TIME GUYS.

>> NOWADAYS IT FEELS LIKE HE HAS NARRAGANSETT BAY ALL TO HIMSELF.

>> THIS IS ALL FISHING GROUNDS IN HERE.

DO YOU SEE ANY GUYS?

>> NO.

>> IT IS CALM TODAY.

IF YOU NEED TO MAKE A LIMIT, TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO DO IT.

IT'S THE ONLY WAY.

>> THE BASIC TOOL IS A RAKE ATTACHED TO A BASKET AT THE END OF A 30 FOOT POLE.

THE METHODS HAVE NOT CHANGED MUCH OVER THE YEARS.

>> HIGH-TECH AS YOU CAN GET.

>> HE DROPS HIS RAKE TO THE BOTTOM AND SCRAPES BY HAND.

>> YOU ARE JUST DIGGING THE BOTTOM NOW?

>> YEAH.

I AM WORKING THE RAKE BACK AND FORTH.

I CAN KIND OF FEEL THEM.

>> YOU CAN FEEL THE CLAMS?

>> DO YOU HEAR THEM?

YOU HAVE TO HEAR THEM.

>> THEY ARE SCREAMING NO, NO.

>> YOU DO THIS FOR FOUR TO SIX HOURS A DAY.

>> YOU GET YOUR WORKOUT.

>> AND THEN I HAUL IT BACK WITHOUT LEVER THERE.

>> ANYTHING UNDER TWO INCHES IS TOO YOUNG TO TAKE.

HE HAS TO THROW IT BACK.

>> THIS WILL BE $.28.

$.13.

THESE ARE $.35 A POUND.

>> AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN RESTAURANTS WERE CLOSED THE BOTTOM FELL OUT OF THE MARKET.

AND WITH IT THE PRICE OF CLAMS.

>> A LOT OF THE SHOPS SHUT DOWN.

WHEN HE GOT BACK FISHING YOU ARE ON A LIMIT, WHICH WAS JUST ENOUGH TO -- YOU WERE GOING OUT JUST TO STAY BUSY.

>> THERE IS NO PLACE TO SELL IT.

>> NOTHING.

I WAS BASICALLY DOING IT SO I DID NOT GO CRAZY.

I WENT FROM WORKING SIX DAYS A WEEK TO I CAN WORK.

I WOULD GO NUTS.

I WILL GET IN TROUBLE.

>> IT IS A JOB THAT HAS SOCIAL DISTANCING BUILT IN.

OF COURSE, NORMALLY HE WOULD HAVE A FEW DECADES TO HELP OUT.

LOU SAYS IT HAS BEEN HARD TO HIRE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> I THINK IS A PROBLEM FROM GUYS DOING CONSTRUCTION TO US.

IF YOU ARE GETTING DOUBLE WHAT YOU USUALLY GET, WHY WOULD YOU COME BACK?

YOU DON'T FIND A TON OF PEOPLE WANTING TO DO THIS ANYWAYS.

>> IT IS A HARD WAY TO MAKE A LIVING.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE NOTHING.

NO HEALTH INSURANCE, NO RETIREMENTS.

THE ONLY BENEFITS OUT OF THIS IS -- >> FRESH AIR AND A SUNTAN.

>> AND SOME ACHES AND PAINS.

>> THE LIMIT WAS 500 CLAMS A DAY.

NOW IT IS BACK TO 12 BUSHES A DAY -- BUSHELS A DAY.

THIS TRIP WILL NOT EVEN GET HALF THAT AMOUNT.

NOT THE EASIEST WAY TO EARN A FEW CLAMS EVEN IN A GOOD YEAR, COVID MADE THIS YEAR ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT.

RESTAURANT CLOSURES, DEMAND FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING AND OTHER FACTORS MEANT THIS WAS A TOUGH YEAR FOR COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN.

HERE NEW ENGLAND MORE THAN 90% LOST MONEY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE AVERAGE REVENUE LOST WAS MORE THAN 50%.

LOU BRINGS THE HALL OVER TO WHOLESALER A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE DOCK TO CASH OUT.

PLACES LIKE THIS HELP KEEP FISHERMEN AFLOAT BY PROVIDING A MARKET, EVEN WHEN THE RESTAURANTS WERE NOT BUYING.

THEY CAN'T SORT THE CLAMS BY SIZE USING THIS MACHINE TO TALLY UP THE HAUL.

BY LAW, LOU CANNOT SELL TO CONSUMERS.

THEY FILLED UP THEIR FRIDGES AND SOLD WITH A CODE OVER THE COUNTER TO PEOPLE COOKING AT HOME.

>> WE TRIED TO KEEP BUYING PRODUCT.

WE WERE STOCKPILING IT IN THE COOLERS.

NEW YORK WAS FULLY SHUT DOWN.

BOSTON WAS SHUT DOWN.

THAT WAS 90% OF OUR MARKET FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

WHEN THAT HAPPENED WE WERE REEVALUATING EVERYTHING AND MAKING SURE WE COULD STILL DO THIS HONESTLY.

>> HOW HAS THE BUSINESS CHANGED AT THE END OF ALL THIS?

>> DRAMATICALLY.

I THINK FOR THE BETTER.

WE ARE ABLE TO GET A MORE LOCAL MARKET.

>> INSTEAD OF ALL THESE CLAMS GOING TO RESTAURANTS IN NEW YORK CITY, THEY'RE GOING TO PEOPLE'S HOMES IN RHODE ISLAND.

>> EXACTLY.

QUAHOGS AND FISH IN TOTAL.

PEOPLE ARE MORE OPEN-MINDED TO BUY SOMETHING HERE RATHER THAN YOUR SALMON THAT COMES FROM ALASKA.

>> THE A FISHERMEN'S EQUIVALENT OF FARM TO TABLE.

>> IT IS NICE TO SEE.

IT HAD TO COME FROM THIS.

YOU CAN SEE SOME GOOD IN THE BAD.

>> THE TOUGH TIMES ARE NOT OVER YET.

300 LITTLE NECKS.

NEARLY 200 TOP NETS.

64 BIG ONES.

$131.88.

>> THANK GOD I LIKE GOING FISHING EVERYDAY.

>> LOU WILL BE BACK TOMORROW AND AFTER THAT.

>> GETS A LITTLE HARDER AS YOU GET OLDER.

>> FISHING IS NOT JUST HIS LIKELIHOOD.

>> THE FISHING IS GOOD, YOU DON'T EVEN WANT TO SLEEP.

>> IT IS HIS LIFE'S WORK.

>> THIS IS A NICE DAY COMPARED TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GETTING.

>> OUR THANKS TO DAVID WRIGHT FOR THAT REPORT.

THE SEASON IS OFF TO A GOOD START AND THE PRICE OF CLAMS HAS NOT REBOUNDED UP MORE THAN 40%.

FINALLY TONIGHT, IN 1925, BLOCK ISLAND WAS BROUGHT INTO THE 20 CENTURY WITH ELECTRICITY SOURCED FROM DIESEL GENERATORS.

FOR THE NEXT 92 YEARS THEY CONTINUED TO RELY COMPLETELY ON THAT SOURCE OF POWER.

IN 2017, WITH THE INSTALLATION OF THE BLOCK ISLAND WINDFARM AND MAINTENANCE SUBMARINE CABLE THE ISLAND FINALLY HAD ACCESS TO A CLEANER, MORE AFFORDABLE ENERGY SUPPLY.

AS REPORTER JOHN SMITH DISCOVERED ON A RECENT TRIP TO BLOCK ISLAND, THOSE DIESEL GENERATORS ARE STILL AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> THERE WAS UPWARDS OF 30 TO 40 UNDERGROUND TANKS ALL OVER THE PROPERTY.

IT WAS FOR DIESEL FUEL, FOR GASOLINE.

>> DICK MARTIN AND JEFF WRIGHT WORK FOR THE BLOCK ISLAND UTILITY DISTRICT.

WRIGHT SAYS THE INSTALLATION WAS NOT JUST A WAY FOR THE STATE TO ADOPT GREEN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY, BUT A WAY TO AVOID A DISASTER.

>> ON AN ANNUAL BASIS WE BURNED ABOUT ONE MILLION GALLONS OF FUEL YEAR.

THAT DOES NOT COUNT THE FUEL IT TOOK TO GET IT HERE, WHICH IS A LOT OF LOGISTICS AND A LOT OF FUEL USE.

YOU HAVE TO GET THE FUEL TO THE DEPOT IN THE HARBOR IN PROVIDENCE, THEN LOADED ON A TRUCK 10,000 GALLONS AT A TIME, DRIVE IT TO THE FERRY.

IT BURNS FUEL GETTING IT OVER HERE TO THE ISLAND.

OBVIOUSLY IT DRIVES HERE, DUMPS THE FUEL, AND MAKES THE TRIP BACK.

>> AS DANGEROUS AS THE TRANSPORT WAS, RUNNING THE GENERATORS CAN BE JUST AS PERILOUS.

>> YOU MAY BE WORKING NEXT TO AN ENGINE THAT'S RUNNING.

YOU MAY BE IN THE BUILDING FOR EIGHT HOURS REPAIRING WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED.

THE ENGINE ROOM AT 180 DEGREES.

YOU ARE SWEATING.

>> MARTIN HAS BEEN AN ENGINEER AT THE PLANT FOR DECADES.

HE HAD TO MANUALLY RUN THE GENERATORS AND HE SAYS THE NOISE THEY ADMITTED ME TO WORK EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

>> BACK THEN YOU HAD TO GET YOUR MIND INTO IT REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO.% HE HAD TO GET THE LIGHTS BACK ON.

THAT WAS YOUR JOB.

IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT AT TIMES.

THE MORE YOU GOT INTO SUMMER THE WORSE IT GOT.

>> THINGS BEGAN TO CHANGE IN 2016 WHEN A FIRE TURNED OUT TO BE A BLESSING IN DISGUISE, FORCING OF REMODELING AND INSTALLATION OF STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY.

>> THAT NOT ONLY HELPED THE GENERATORS WORK BETTER, START BETTER, SHUTDOWN BETTER, STAY ON BETTER.

THEY ARE ALMOST FULLY AUTOMATED TO WHERE DICK AND MYSELF COULD START THE GENERATORS WITH JUST THE PUSH OF A BUTTON.

>> BOTH MEN ADMIT THAT GETTING UP TO SPEED ON THE EQUIPMENT WAS NOT THE EASY -- WAS NOT EASY.

>> IT IS HARD TO TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS, BUT IT HAS WORKED.

IT DOES WELL.

>> THE GENERATORS CAN BE MONITORED FROM EITHER THE REMODELED CONTROL ROOM OR REMOTELY ON A TABLET.

>> NOW THAT WE USE THIS ONLY FOR EMERGENCY BACKUP, THE ONLY TIME WE RUN THE ENGINES IS FOR TESTING PURPOSES.

OCCASIONALLY NATIONAL PLANT MAINTENANCE.

WE DO IT SEVEN FREQUENTLY THE EASIER IT IS AND THE MORE FOOLPROOF IT IS, THE SAFER IT IS.

>> ALTHOUGH THE TURBINES FOR THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE PROJECT, IT WAS THE SUBMARINE CABLE THAT PROVIDED ACCESS TO THE OPEN ENERGY MARKET.

>> WE WERE SO EXCITED JUST TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE MAINLAND CABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO POSSIBILITIES FOR ANY TYPE OF POWER SOURCE FOR OURSELVES.

WE WERE LIMITED JUST TO OIL.

THE DAY WE CONNECTED TO THE CABLE WE HAD OPTIONS FOR LOAD FOLLOWING CONTRACTS, OPTIONS FOR LONG-TERM RENEWABLE CONTRACTS.

TODAY, EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T BUY THIS WIND POWER, WE ARE PROBABLY BETWEEN 5% AND 7% WIND POWER BECAUSE WE ARE BUYING POWER FROM SHELL NORTH AMERICA, WHO IS THE SUPPLIER OF NEW ENGLAND.

THAT MIRRORS THE FUEL SUPPLY IN NEW ENGLAND.

>> THE ISLAND IS NOT EXTRACTED -- HAS NOT EXTRACTED ELECTRICITY FROM THE TURBINES, AT LEAST ON PAPER.

>> FROM AN ELECTRON FLOW STANDPOINT IT COMES ON THE WIND TURBINES TO THE ISLAND.

IT GOES INTO THE SUBSTATION ON THE ISLAND.

THEN IT TURNS RUNNING GOES BACK TO THE MAINLAND TO NATIONAL GRID, WHO CONTRACTUALLY BUYS THE ENERGY FROM THE WIND FARM.

THE ISLAND POWER GRID, THE DISTRIBUTION GRID IS FED OFF THAT SAME SYSTEM.

BUT IT IS AFTER THE METER WHERE THE WIND FARM IS METERED AND DELIVERED TO NATIONAL GRID.

WE RELY ON NATIONAL GRID'S TRANSMISSION GRID TO KEEP OUR LIGHTS ON.

WE RELY ON THE TRANSMISSION GRID TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE RETAIL POWER MARKETS IN NEW ENGLAND.

CONTRACTUALLY WE HAVE ARRANGEMENTS WITH POWER SUPPLIERS IN NEW ENGLAND TO SUPPLY OUR ENERGY FOR THE ISLAND.

>> HE SAYS THE COST TO USE THE CABLE ALSO COMES IN THE FORM OF MULTIPLE FEES.

>> WE PAY A FEE FOR OUR INTERCONNECTION FROM THEIR SUBSTATION TO OURS.

ROUGHLY 10%.

NOT QUITE 10% OF THE OVERALL COSTS FOR THE YEAR.

WE PAY TRANSMISSION COSTS AND FEES TO NATIONAL GRID FOR ACCESS TO THE GRID OF NEW ENGLAND.

WE PAY A PRICE TO USE THE CABLE.

THAT IS NOT CONSIDERED PART OF NATIONAL GRID'S TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.

>> KNOWN AS THE BLOCK ISLAND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, IT IS THE FEE TO USE THE CABLE.

WRIGHT SAYS THIS IS BECAUSE ALL RHODE ISLAND RATEPAYERS BECAUSE THE PROJECT WAS CONCEIVED AND ULTIMATELY BUILT FOR THE BENEFIT OF EVERYONE IN RHODE ISLAND.

ALL TOLD, THE ISLAND PAYS ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS IN FEES ANNUALLY TO HAVE CONNECTION TO THE POWER GRID ON THE MAINLAND.

WHILE HE BELIEVES THE COSTS ARE FAIR, FOR MANY CONSUMERS HE SAYS THE SURCHARGES CAN BE CONFUSING.

IN A RECENT INTERVIEW, THE PUBLIC UTILITIES CHAIRMAN TOOK NATIONAL GRID TO TASK, SAYING OF THE FEES -- THE FEES WERE APPALLING AND UNCONSCIONABLE AND THE ACTIONS AMENITY RIPPING OFF THE RATEPAYERS.

WE REACHED OUT TO THE COMMISSION AND WERE TOLD IN PART THEY COULD NOT COMMENT BECAUSE THEY ARE CURRENTLY IN DISCUSSIONS WITH NATIONAL GRID TO SEE IF THERE IS A WAY TO ADDRESS THE RATE ISSUE.

THE COMMISSION SAYS FOR THE NEXT BIG PROJECT REVOLUTION WIND HAS TRANSMISSION COSTS ALREADY BAKED INTO THE PURCHASE POWER AGREEMENT, WITH PROVISIONS THAT THOSE COSTS WILL NOT EXCEED THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT.

WRIGHT SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH AND HAVE SEEN THESE FEE ISSUES AND DISPUTES BEFORE.

>> WE RECONCILED OUR RATES SO WE MAKE ADJUSTMENTS FOR EITHER OVER COLLECTIONS OR UNDER COLLECTIONS.

IN THE CASE OF THE NATIONAL GRID CABLE THAT IS PROBABLY EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

I WOULD EXPECT THE DIVISION IN THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION WILL RECONCILE THAT RATE SO IT IS MORE IN LINE WITH WHAT THEIR COSTS ARE.

I WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO MAKE SURE THEY DO THAT, TO REPRESENT OUR MEMBERS ON THE ISLAND.

I AM CONFIDENT WE WILL GET TO A FAIR SETTLEMENT.

>> THAT CONFIDENCE COMES FROM HIS BELIEF THAT TRANSPARENCY IS THE BEST MODEL TO HELP RHODE ISLAND MEET THE GOAL OF 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY BY THE START OF THE NEXT DECADE.

>> I AM A COOPERATIVE CHAMPION.

I BELIEVE YOUR COMPANIES ARE BETTER OWNED BY THE CUSTOMERS THEY SERVE, BETTER GOVERNED BY THE CUSTOMERS THEY SERVE, AND DECISIONS MADE BY THOSE FOLKS TO INVEST IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN A WAY THAT BEST SERVES THEM ARE GOVERNED BY THE COMMUNITY.

WE ARE TECHNICALLY OWNED BY THE COMMUNITY.

AS RESULT WE ARE MAKING DECISIONS THAT MORE FAVOR THEM THAN MAYBE THE PAST OWNERS.

>> POWER THANKS TO JOHN SMITH.

SINCE 2011, FEDERAL AGENCIES HAVE BEEN WORKING TO ADVANCE ONSHORE WIND ACROSS THE REST.

INMATE, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION APPROVED THE NATION'S FIRST COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE WIND FARM CALLED VINEYARD 1.

NOW THE U.S. IS ON ITS WAY TO ACHIEVING 30 GIGAWATTS OF OFFSHORE WIND POWER BY 2030.

THAT'S ENOUGH TO POWER MORE THAN 10 MILLION AMERICAN HOMES.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH ANOTHER EDITION OF "RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY."

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