Bill Sponsors
Place, Hopkins, Paplauskas, Roberts, Newberry, Nardone, Quattrocchi, Chippendale, and Fascia
Committee
House Corporations
Summary
Select
This legislation modifies the "Renewable Energy Growth Program" in Rhode Island. Currently, tariffs, costs, and mandates related to this program are handled by the electric distribution company and regulators. This bill changes the process effectively immediately, requiring that any such tariffs, costs, or other mandates imposed under specific sections of the law must be reviewed and approved by the General Assembly. Essentially, it shifts the final authority for the financial aspects of this renewable energy program from administrative agencies to the state legislature.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Increases democratic accountability by ensuring that elected representatives, rather than unelected utility regulators, have the final say on costs passed down to ratepayers.
- Provides a mechanism to protect low-income households from automatic rate increases or aggressive tariffs by subjecting financial decisions to public legislative debate.
- Creates greater transparency regarding corporate subsidies to the electric distribution company, allowing for more public scrutiny of how renewable energy funds are allocated.
Cons for Progressives
- Politicizes the technical process of energy rate-setting, potentially causing gridlock that delays or derails urgent climate change mitigation projects.
- Undermines the authority of subject-matter experts at the Public Utilities Commission, replacing scientific and economic analysis with political maneuvering.
- Creates a significant barrier to the expansion of renewable energy, potentially preventing the state from meeting its environmental goals if the legislature refuses to approve necessary funding.
Pros for Conservatives
- Restores checks and balances by preventing unelected bureaucrats and administrative agencies from imposing "hidden taxes" or mandates on citizens without legislative consent.
- Increases oversight on government-mandated green energy programs, potentially curbing wasteful spending and lowering costs for businesses and families.
- Ensures that the electric distribution company cannot collude with regulators to set tariffs that favor specific industries at the expense of the general taxpayer.
Cons for Conservatives
- Introduces market uncertainty for energy developers and investors, who may view the legislative approval requirement as an unpredictable risk factor for doing business in the state.
- Could lead to increased lobbying and cronyism within the legislature as special interests vie for favorable votes on specific energy tariffs.
- May slow down infrastructure development by adding a layer of bureaucratic red tape to the approval process for energy projects.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Electric Distribution Companies
- Renewable Energy Developers
- Utility Ratepayers
- Public Utilities Commission
- General Assembly Members
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
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Regulatory
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Environmental Impact
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Privacy Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/16/2026 Introduced, referred to House Corporations
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 39-26.6-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-26.6 entitled "The Renewable Energy Growth Program" is hereby amended to read as follows:
39-26.6-2. Renewable energy growth program established.
To carry out these purposes, a tariff-based, renewable energy distributed-generation financing program, hereinafter referred to as the renewable energy growth program, is hereby established with the intention of continuing the development of renewable energy distributed generation in the load zone of the electric distribution company at reasonable cost. The program shall be designed to finance the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy distributed-generation projects over five (5) years through a performance-based incentive system that is designed to achieve specified megawatt targets at reasonable cost through competitive processes. The renewable energy growth program shall be implemented by the electric distribution company, and guided by the distributed-generation board, in consultation with the office of energy resources, subject to the review and supervision of the commission; provided, however, that any tariffs, costs or other mandates imposed under §§ 39-26.6-5, 39-26.6-6, 39-26.6-13, 39-26.6-18 or 39-26.6-25 shall be subject to review and approval by the general assembly.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
39-26.6-2. Renewable energy growth program established.
To carry out these purposes, a tariff-based, renewable energy distributed-generation financing program, hereinafter referred to as the renewable energy growth program, is hereby established with the intention of continuing the development of renewable energy distributed generation in the load zone of the electric distribution company at reasonable cost. The program shall be designed to finance the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy distributed-generation projects over five (5) years through a performance-based incentive system that is designed to achieve specified megawatt targets at reasonable cost through competitive processes. The renewable energy growth program shall be implemented by the electric distribution company, and guided by the distributed-generation board, in consultation with the office of energy resources, subject to the review and supervision of the commission; provided, however, that any tariffs, costs or other mandates imposed under §§ 39-26.6-5, 39-26.6-6, 39-26.6-13, 39-26.6-18 or 39-26.6-25 shall be subject to review and approval by the general assembly.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.