Building a More Sustainable Providence
Since taking office, Brett has focused on concrete, on-the-ground investments that make Providence more sustainable, resilient, and equitable. His administration launched the Providence Community Electricity (PCE) Program to integrate more renewable energy into the default electricity option for residents and businesses, helping households save on their electric bills while cutting climate pollution. Under Brett's leadership, Providence is investing in green infrastructure and stormwater management projects across the city, dredging canals, clearing storm drains, and upgrading systems to reduce flooding, protect neighborhoods from extreme weather, and position the city as a leader in the growing green and blue economies. The City also completed critical, multimillion-dollar repairs to the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier, a key piece of infrastructure that helps protect Providence from storm surges and coastal flooding.
Brett has advanced a bold agenda to decarbonize municipal operations and lead by example. Providence has committed to achieving carbon neutrality in all city-owned buildings by 2040, and the City is now moving forward with more than 20 electrification projects, including seven recreation centers, nine schools, three public safety buildings, three buildings at Roger Williams Park, and a new Department of Public Works headquarters. Beginning in 2029, an existing solar contract will provide enough green power to fully decarbonize these newly constructed or renovated, energy-efficient, all-electric facilities well ahead of the 2040 goal. The new DPW complex is fully electric and carbon neutral, serving as a modern hub for highway and fleet operations and further supporting Providence’s long-term sustainability goals.
Climate justice and community resiliency are at the heart of Brett’s approach. His administration is investing in parks, green spaces, and local stormwater improvements to create healthier neighborhoods and better protect communities that have long borne the brunt of poor air quality, emissions, and limited access to health care. The City is also building a network of Resiliency Hubs that provide year-round services, resources, and reliable on-site power during extreme weather events, starting with the Olneyville Resilience Hub, which works closely with local partners and residents to ensure services reflect community needs. Through these efforts, Brett is working to ensure that every Providence neighborhood shares in the benefits of cleaner air, safer streets, and a more sustainable future.