Council Awards Toray With Spirit Award

While wind turbines dominated the conversation at last night’s North Kingstown Town Council meeting, another form renewable energy received its due recognition.

The council presented the to , honoring the Japan-based company for its upcoming on Quonset Point.

The “We Are Proud of You” award recognizes individuals and organizations using or planning to use renewable energy strategies, sell products that encourage renewable energy or have increased renewable energy use in a home or business. Out of the 11 nominees this year, Toray nabbed the most votes.

“We are very committed to the environment but more importantly to our people,” said Toray CEO Richard Schloesser, who was present for the ceremony along with Senior Vice President of Engineering and Maintenance Shigeru Osada.

The solar farm, which is set for completion in August, will be the state’s largest solar farm and will produce enough renewable energy to power 100 homes, according to Schloesser. As one of the largest users of electricity in the state, the solar farm will help offset the power used by Toray. According to Osada, Toray’s Quonset location’s electricity costs are about $25 million annually.

Schloesser also announced Toray’s plans to expand in Quonset. The expansion would increase Toray’s capital by $200 million and bring about 170 to 200 jobs to Quonset, said Schloesser.

Other Business

• The council voted 4-1 (with Michael Bestwick opposing) to delay the decision on whether to reappoint Richard Pastore to his position as chair of the North Kingstown Planning Commission. Council members have received multiple emails from residents asking for him to not be reappointed for another six-year term. Pastore has served on the commission since 1991. Though his term expires on July 1, Council President Elizabeth Dolan stated Pastore was willing to serve at his post until a decision is made at the council’s July 11 meeting.
• The council conducted a first read of two uncodified ordinances that would allow it to put a bond referendum out to voters without the General Assembly. The two ordinances would allow this year’s two bond issues (the $3.8-million conversion of Wickford Elementary School into a mixed town and school department building and a $850,000  bond to finance artificial turf at McGinn Park.