A solar energy project is in the formative stages on North Smithfield land where a mill once combed and scoured wool, according to Smed Blair, vice president of real estate and development for Sam-Man Realty, which owns the land. more

Retail gasoline prices in the U.S. fell to the lowest level in a year as refineries restored production and stockpiles rose to the most in eight months, blunting criticism of President Barack Obama’s energy policies. more

Power company Dominion Resources Inc. has signed a purchase and sale agreement for three merchant generator power stations to Energy Capital Partners. more

Capital Properties Inc. reported a 0.9 percent drop in profit to $2.01 million, or 31 cents per share, during 2012 compared with earnings of $2.03 million, or 31 cents per share, during 2011. more

Rep. Joseph M. McNamara, D-Warwick, has proposed a bill, which has gotten substantial attention by the state’s news media, to make calamari the official state appetizer. more

Gasoline prices in the Ocean State fell 3 cents over the last week, bringing the decline in the last weeks to 7 cents per gallon of self-serve, unleaded regular, AAA Southern New England reported Monday. At $3.76 per gallon, the price of gas stands 1 cent below its level four weeks ago. more

WALTHAM, Mass. – National Grid named John J. Donleavy executive vice president and chief operating officer for the company’s U.S. operations, which include more than 3 million electric and 3 million natural gas customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. more

Yardney Technical Products’ lithium-ion batteries have been out of this world – literally. “The last four missions to Mars have all had our batteries on them,” said Yardney President and Chief Operating Officer Vince Yevolli, pictured above at the company’s new headquarters, in East Greenwich. Yardney is a subsidiary of Ener-Tek International, Inc. Its batteries are also found in aircraft and hearing aids. The company, which employs 140, moved to Rhode Island in January from a much larger facility in Pawcatuck, Conn. more

Yardney Technical Products sends its lithium-ion batteries far and wide, including two that landed on Mars in August 2012 on NASA’s Curiosity rover. more

QUINCY, Mass. – The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. LLC last week announced sustainability advancements in Massachusetts, including its work to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the state, where it currently operates 131 stores. more