Rhode Island, already first in the U.S. to deliver a commercial scale offshore wind energy project, received a boost Aug. 3 in building the clean power sector's needed workforce as it scales up to meet a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2033.

Gov. Dan McKee (D) announced an alliance of higher education, labor and workforce development organizations and offshore wind project joint-venture partners Ørsted and Eversource that includes $1 million to create a new worker training certification program, part of a $4.5-million workforce and supply chain development commitment.