2013 -- H 5801 SUBSTITUTE A

=======

LC01728/SUB A

=======

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

____________

A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

     Introduced By: Representatives Handy, Ackerman, Gallison, Palangio, and Cimini

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2013

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1-1

     SECTION 1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby

1-2

amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

1-3

     CHAPTER 88

1-4

     RHODE ISLAND ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND CLIMATE SOLUTIONS ACT

1-5

     23-88-1. Short title. -- This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Rhode

1-6

Island Energy Independence and Climate Solutions Act."

1-7

     23-88-2. Legislative findings. -- It is hereby found and declared by the general assembly

1-8

as follows:

1-9

     (1) Global warming poses a serious threat to the environment, economic well-being,

1-10

public health, and natural resources of Rhode Island. Scientists predict global warming will

1-11

exacerbate air quality problems, decrease or eliminate the habitat of indigenous plants and

1-12

animals, trigger accelerated beach erosion and sea level rise resulting in the displacement of

1-13

businesses, residences and key infrastructure like bridges and drinking water and wastewater

1-14

treatment plants, damage marine and freshwater ecosystems and the natural environment, and

1-15

increase the variety and incidence of infectious diseases, asthma, and other human health-related

1-16

problems.

1-17

     (2) Global warming will also have measurable and detrimental effects on key sectors of

1-18

Rhode Island's economy including agriculture, tourism and recreational and commercial fishing.

1-19

     (3) Because greenhouse gas emissions come almost exclusively from burning fossil fuels,

1-20

reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses in Rhode Island will promote energy independence,

2-1

strengthening our economy, creating local jobs, and keeping our energy dollars here at home.

2-2

     (4) Rhode Island has shown leadership on energy conservation and environmental

2-3

stewardship efforts, including the areas of air quality protection, energy efficiency, renewable

2-4

energy, natural resource conservation, and global warming standards for passenger vehicles and

2-5

electricity consumption. The program established by this chapter will continue a tradition of

2-6

environmental leadership by bringing Rhode Island to the forefront of national and international

2-7

efforts to reduce global warming emissions and aligning Rhode Island's global warming policy

2-8

with the steps scientists say are necessary to address the problem of global warming.

2-9

     (5) In 2001 the New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers adopted a climate

2-10

change action plan setting targets for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for the short and

2-11

long-term. Although the action plan did result in some activity to reduce emissions, neither Rhode

2-12

Island nor the region are on track to achieve the voluntary limits set in the action plan, and in

2-13

most states green house gas emissions are continuing to increase. The general assembly

2-14

recognizes that voluntary limits have clearly not resulted in the reductions necessary to avoid the

2-15

most severe damage to our state and our planet from global warming.

2-16

     (6) The state of Rhode Island recognizes that national and international action will be

2-17

necessary to address the issue of global warming. However, the state of Rhode Island recognizes

2-18

that it has a moral obligation and an economic interest in doing its part to achieve the emission

2-19

reductions that scientists say are necessary to address local as well as global impacts of warming.

2-20

Moreover, Rhode Island recognizes that action taken by the state to reduce emissions contributing

2-21

to global warming will have far-reaching effects by encouraging other states and the federal

2-22

government to take action. Rhode Island has worked and will continue to work with other states

2-23

to address the problem of global warming, and hereby joins with other states that have adopted

2-24

enforceable limits on global warming pollution.

2-25

     (7) By exercising a leadership role, Rhode Island will position its economy, educational

2-26

institutions, technology centers, financial institutions, and businesses to benefit from national and

2-27

international efforts to reduce global warming pollution. More importantly, investing in the

2-28

development of innovative and pioneering technologies will assist Rhode Island in achieving the

2-29

2024 and 2050 statewide limits on global warming pollution established by this chapter and will

2-30

provide an opportunity for the state to take a global economic and technological leadership role in

2-31

reducing global warming pollution.

2-32

     (8) It is the intent of the legislature that the department coordinate with other state

2-33

agencies and entities, as well as consult with the environmental justice community, industry

2-34

sectors, business groups, academic institutions, environmental organizations, and other

3-1

stakeholders in implementing the provisions of this chapter.

3-2

     (9) It is the intent of the legislature that the department and other agencies and entities

3-3

that take action to meet the statewide greenhouse gas emission limits established pursuant to this

3-4

chapter do so in a manner that minimizes long-term costs and maximizes long-term benefits for

3-5

Rhode Island's economy, improves and modernizes Rhode Island's energy infrastructure,

3-6

improves electric system reliability, takes advantage of the opportunity for growth of renewable,

3-7

efficiency and other innovative businesses in Rhode Island, and maximizes additional

3-8

environmental and economic benefits for Rhode Island.

3-9

     23-88-3. Definitions. – As used in this chapter:

3-10

     (1) "Carbon dioxide equivalent" means the amount of carbon dioxide by weight that

3-11

would produce the same global warming impact as the given weight of another greenhouse gas,

3-12

based on the best available science, including from the intergovernmental panel on climate

3-13

change.

3-14

     (2) "Cost effective" means the cost per unit of reduced emissions of greenhouse gases

3-15

expressed in carbon dioxide equivalents.

3-16

     (3) "Department" means the Rhode Island department of environmental management.

3-17

     (4) "Direct emission reduction" means a greenhouse gas emission reduction made by a

3-18

greenhouse gas emission source at that source.

3-19

     (5) "Emissions reduction measure" means programs, measures and standards authorized

3-20

pursuant to this chapter, applicable to sources or categories of sources that are designed to reduce

3-21

emissions of greenhouse gases.

3-22

     (6) "Greenhouse gas" or "greenhouse gases" includes all of the following gases: carbon

3-23

dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride

3-24

and any additional substances that the department determines are significant contributors to

3-25

global warming.

3-26

     (7) "Greenhouse gas emission source" or "source" means any source, or category of

3-27

sources, of greenhouse gas emissions whose emissions are at a level of significance, as

3-28

determined by the department, that its participation in the program established under this chapter

3-29

will enable the department to effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and monitor

3-30

compliance with the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit.

3-31

     (8) "Leakage" means an increase in greenhouse gas emissions related to domestic power

3-32

use from generation sources located outside of the state that are not subject to state, interstate or

3-33

regional greenhouse gas emissions limits that apply to generation sources located within the state.

4-34

     (9) "Office" means the Rhode Island office of energy resources.

4-35

     (10) "State funds" means direct or indirect expenditure of state monies, including any tax

4-36

reductions, tax stabilization or other state financial benefits.

4-37

     (11) "Statewide greenhouse gas emissions" means the total annual emissions of

4-38

greenhouse gases in the state. In the case of electrical generation, statewide greenhouse gas

4-39

emissions includes all emissions of greenhouse gases from the generation of electricity delivered

4-40

to and consumed in Rhode Island, accounting for transmission and distribution line losses,

4-41

whether the electricity is generated in state or imported. Statewide emissions shall be expressed in

4-42

tons of carbon dioxide equivalents.

4-43

     (12) "Statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit" or "statewide emissions limit" means the

4-44

maximum allowable level of statewide greenhouse gas emissions in a given year, as determined

4-45

by the department pursuant to section 23-88-5.

4-46

     (13) "1990 level of statewide greenhouse gas emissions" means the statewide greenhouse

4-47

gas emissions for 1990 as established by the department under section 23-88-5.

4-48

     (14) "2019 limit" means the level of greenhouse gas emissions for 2019 established by

4-49

the department under section 23-88-5.

4-50

     (15) "2024 limit" means the level of greenhouse gas emissions equal to the twenty

4-51

percent (20%) less than the 1990 level of statewide greenhouse gas emissions, established by the

4-52

department under section 23-88-5.

4-53

     (16) "2050 limit" means the level of greenhouse gas emissions equal to eighty percent

4-54

(80%) less than the 1990 level of statewide greenhouse gas emissions, established by the

4-55

department under section 23-88-5.

4-56

     23-88-4. Mandatory greenhouse gas reporting. – (a) No later than January 30, 2015,

4-57

the department shall adopt rules and regulations that require the annual reporting and verification

4-58

of greenhouse gas emissions and that provide for the monitoring and enforcement of compliance

4-59

with the reporting and verification requirements.

4-60

     (b) The rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this section shall:

4-61

     (1) Require the monitoring and annual reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from

4-62

greenhouse gas emission sources, beginning with the sources or categories of sources that

4-63

contribute most to statewide greenhouse gas emissions;

4-64

     (2) Include greenhouse gas emissions from the generation of electricity that is consumed

4-65

in the state, regardless of whether it is generated in state, including transmission and distribution

4-66

line losses;

4-67

     (3) Ensure rigorous and consistent accounting of emissions, and provide reporting tools

4-68

and formats to ensure collection of necessary data; and

5-1

     (4) Ensure that greenhouse gas emission sources maintain comprehensive records of all

5-2

reported greenhouse gas emissions.

5-3

     (c) The department shall:

5-4

     (1) Periodically review the requirements in rules promulgated under this section and

5-5

update the rules, as necessary;

5-6

     (2) Review existing and proposed international, federal, regional and state greenhouse

5-7

gas emission reporting programs and make reasonable efforts to promote consistency among the

5-8

programs established pursuant to this section and other programs, and to streamline reporting

5-9

requirements on greenhouse gas emission sources; and

5-10

     (3) Require reporting in the form and format that is most useful in allowing the

5-11

department to track emissions and to prepare the reports required in section 23-88-10.

5-12

     (d) The department shall consider, on an annual basis, requiring the expansion of

5-13

reporting to other sources of direct or indirect emissions. A decision for or against an expansion

5-14

of reporting and an explanation of such decision shall be included in the report required pursuant

5-15

to section 23-88-10.

5-16

     23-88-5. Statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits. -- (a) Statewide greenhouse gas

5-17

emissions limits shall be established by the department and implemented according to the

5-18

following schedule:

5-19

     (1) No later than January 1, 2019, statewide greenhouse gas emissions shall be reduced to

5-20

or below the 2019 limit;

5-21

     (2) No later than January 1, 2024, statewide greenhouse gas emissions shall be reduced to

5-22

or below the 2024 limit;

5-23

     (3) No later than January 1, 2050, statewide greenhouse gas emissions shall be reduced to

5-24

or below the 2050 limit and shall not exceed that level thereafter.

5-25

     (b) The department, in consultation with the office of energy resources, shall also adopt

5-26

strategies for achieving the 2019 limit, the 2024 limit and the 2050 limit.

5-27

     23-88-6. Greenhouse gas emissions reductions. -- (a)(1) Strategies and plans. - In

5-28

consultation with the office of energy resources, the department shall prepare and approve, no

5-29

later than January 1, 2016, a strategy for achieving the 2019 limit.

5-30

     (2) In consultation with the office of energy resources, the department shall prepare and

5-31

approve, no later than January 1, 2017, a strategy for achieving the 2024 limit.

5-32

     (3) In consultation with the office of energy resources, the department shall prepare and

5-33

approve, no later than January 1, 2018, a strategy for achieving the 2050 limit.

6-34

     (4) The strategies provided shall describe proposed legislation and regulations from the

6-35

department, the department of transportation, the office, and any other state agencies or entities

6-36

from which action is needed to achieve the goals, set forth in the chapter, as well as other

6-37

emission reduction measures to be taken by state entities as necessary and appropriate to achieve

6-38

these goals. The strategies shall include regulations, economic incentives and/or other enforceable

6-39

mechanisms to reduce vehicle miles traveled.

6-40

     (5) The department and office shall provide opportunities for public input into the

6-41

strategies and for comment on the proposed goals before the goals and strategies are approved.

6-42

     (6) By December 1, 2013 The office of energy resources shall recommend whether, and

6-43

if so in what form, an interstate compact within the New England ISO and other interested states

6-44

shall be entered into and that would promote collective and cooperative interstate activity to

6-45

promote the objectives of this chapter.

6-46

     (7) The department and other state agencies taking action under this chapter shall seek to

6-47

identify the most effective strategies and methods to reduce greenhouse gases, to manage

6-48

greenhouse gas control programs, and to facilitate the development of integrated regional,

6-49

national, and international greenhouse gas reduction programs, and for this purpose shall look to

6-50

examples from other states and other nations.

6-51

     (8) The department shall consult with the public utilities commission and the office of

6-52

energy resources on the elements of the plan that pertain to energy related matters, including the

6-53

consumption of electricity, development of renewable energy sources, any standards or

6-54

requirements that are based on the amounts of electricity that an electric provider sells to retail

6-55

customers, or the provision of reliable and affordable electrical service to ensure that the

6-56

greenhouse gas emission reduction activities in the plan are additional and not duplicative. The

6-57

office of energy resources shall develop and/or incorporate such elements into the energy element

6-58

of the state guide plan it develops and incorporate the emissions reductions goals of this chapter,

6-59

as established in section 23-88-5, in the energy planning goals.

6-60

     (9) The department shall consult with the Rhode Island public transit authority, the

6-61

department of transportation, statewide planning and the economic development corporation on

6-62

the elements of the plan that pertain to transportation, particularly the reduction of vehicle miles

6-63

traveled.

6-64

     (10) In developing its plans, the department shall take into account the relative

6-65

contribution of each source or source category to statewide greenhouse gas emissions, and shall

6-66

recommend a de minimus threshold of greenhouse gas emissions below which emission reduction

6-67

requirements will not apply.

7-68

     (11) In developing its plans, the department shall identify opportunities for emission

7-69

reductions measures from all verifiable voluntary actions.

7-70

     (12) In adopting plans and regulations pursuant to this section, to the extent feasible and

7-71

in furtherance of achieving the statewide greenhouse gas emissions limits, the department and all

7-72

other state agencies or entities taking action under this chapter, shall do all of the following:

7-73

     (i) Design the regulations, including distribution of emissions allowances where

7-74

appropriate, in a manner that is equitable, seeks to minimize long-term costs and maximize the

7-75

total benefits to Rhode Island, and encourages early action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;

7-76

     (ii) Ensure that activities undertaken to comply with the regulations do not

7-77

disproportionately impact low-income communities;

7-78

     (iii) Ensure that sufficient means are provided to assist low-income residents to achieve

7-79

energy efficiency savings, particularly residents of high energy use buildings;

7-80

     (iv) Ensure that entities that have voluntarily reduced their greenhouse gas emissions

7-81

prior to the implementation of this section receive appropriate credit for early voluntary

7-82

reductions;

7-83

     (v) Ensure that activities undertaken pursuant to the regulations complement, and do not

7-84

interfere with, efforts to achieve and maintain federal and state ambient air quality standards and

7-85

to reduce toxic air contaminant emissions;

7-86

     (vi) Consider overall societal benefits, including reductions in other air pollutants,

7-87

diversification of energy sources, and other benefits to the economy, environment, and public

7-88

health;

7-89

     (vii) Ensure that the rules, regulations, programs, mechanisms and incentives, to the

7-90

extent applicable and feasible, direct private and public investment toward the most

7-91

disadvantaged communities in Rhode Island and provide an opportunity for small businesses and

7-92

community institutions to participate in and benefit from statewide efforts to reduce greenhouse

7-93

gas emissions;

7-94

     (viii) Minimize the administrative burden of implementing and complying with these

7-95

regulations;

7-96

     (ix) Minimize leakage;

7-97

     (x) Consider the significance of the contribution of each source or category of sources to

7-98

statewide emissions of greenhouse gases; and

7-99

     (xi) Ensure that any such mechanism will be designed to work alongside but in no way

7-100

undermine any regional greenhouse gas emissions markets in which the state, suppliers of

7-101

electricity, generators of electricity, green power providers, or industries within the state may be

7-102

participating.

8-1

     (13) The department of administration, through or with the office of energy resources,

8-2

shall, as needed, provide the general assembly with proposals for draft legislation of changes to

8-3

existing law needed to implement the strategies developed under section 23-88-5, to bring this

8-4

statute into conformance with federal law and/or regulations, or to respond to changing global

8-5

climate conditions.

8-6

     (14) Nothing in this chapter shall restrict the department from providing early reduction

8-7

credit where appropriate, nor shall this chapter be seen as preventing any more stringent limits on

8-8

emissions, as science shows to be prudent.

8-9

     (b) Other greenhouse gas reduction provisions. -

8-10

     (1) No later than January 1, 2015, the Rhode Island department of administration shall

8-11

develop guidelines for all state agencies that shall be used by those agencies to consider and

8-12

implement strategies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

8-13

     (2) All works, projects or activities funded in whole or in part with state funds, including

8-14

all state transportation projects, that are reasonably likely to result in significant direct or indirect

8-15

emissions of greenhouse gases shall take all reasonable actions to minimize energy consumed in

8-16

the construction and operation of the project during its expected life, and to minimize emissions

8-17

from vehicle travel that will result from the construction and operation of the project, with a goal

8-18

of net reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from all such projects. The department shall define,

8-19

no later than June 30, 2014, after public notice and comment, what shall be considered significant

8-20

for purposes of this section. The proponent of the works, projects or activities subject to this

8-21

subsection shall file with the department, prior to construction of the project, a certification that

8-22

the project has complied with this subsection and describing the actions taken to comply. Nothing

8-23

in this section shall prevent the department or any other state department or entity from requiring

8-24

additional actions to reduce direct or indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

8-25

     (3) In connection with the consideration and issuance of permits, licenses and other

8-26

administrative approvals and decisions by the department, the Rhode Island department of

8-27

transportation, and the Rhode Island coastal resources management council, reasonably

8-28

foreseeable contributions to global warming, such as greenhouse gas emissions, and reasonably

8-29

foreseeable effects of global warming, such as predicted sea level rise, shall be taken into

8-30

consideration in deciding whether to issue the requested permit, license or approval, what

8-31

alternatives may be preferable, and what conditions may be imposed on any such permit, license

8-32

or approval. In considering contributions to and effects of the action for which approval is

8-33

requested, the approving agency shall consider both the individual application and the cumulative

8-34

effects of other past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions.

9-1

     (4) No later than January 1, 2016, the state planning council shall adopt in the state guide

9-2

plan an element on reducing greenhouse gases and shall revise such other elements in the state

9-3

guide plan as necessary to achieve the purposes of this act, and shall provide guidance to cities

9-4

and towns on developing comprehensive plans that conform to that element and that implement

9-5

the state's goals for reducing greenhouse gasses.

9-6

     23-88-7. Economic development. – (a) No later than January 1, 2014, the governor shall

9-7

appoint an economic and technology advancement advisory committee, which shall include

9-8

representatives from business, labor unions, academic institutions, renewable energy developers,

9-9

energy efficiency and innovative energy products providers, and others as the governor deems

9-10

appropriate, to be chaired by the economic development corporation, to advise the governor, the

9-11

department and the working group on activities that will facilitate investment in and

9-12

implementation of technological research and development opportunities, including, but not

9-13

limited to, identifying new technologies, research, demonstration projects, and funding

9-14

opportunities, developing state, national and international partnerships and technology transfer

9-15

opportunities, and identifying and assessing research and advanced technology investment and

9-16

incentive opportunities that will assist in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and

9-17

development of greenhouse gas reduction employment in the state.

9-18

     (b) The economic and technology advancement advisory committee shall recommend

9-19

programs and incentives to foster energy efficiency and renewable energy workforce

9-20

development and training programs, to increase the number of trained skilled workers in the

9-21

economic sectors of emerging clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and demand

9-22

resources. The programs and incentives shall be designed to promote growth of the clean energy

9-23

economy by helping build a pipeline of well-trained, skilled workers and addressing emerging

9-24

skills gaps in both clean energy development and adoption.

9-25

     23-88-8. Market-based compliance mechanisms. – (a) The department and other state

9-26

agencies may include in the regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter the use of market-based

9-27

compliance mechanisms to comply with the regulations.

9-28

     (b) Prior to the inclusion of any market-based compliance mechanism in the regulations,

9-29

to the extent feasible and in furtherance of achieving the statewide greenhouse gas emissions

9-30

limit, the department or other state agencies shall do all of the following:

9-31

     (1) Consider the potential for direct, indirect, and cumulative emission impacts from

9-32

these mechanisms, including localized impacts in communities that are already adversely

9-33

impacted by air pollution;

10-34

     (2) Design any market-based compliance mechanism to prevent any increase in the

10-35

emissions of toxic air contaminants or criteria air pollutants, with particular attention paid to

10-36

emissions of nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter and mercury; and

10-37

     (3) Maximize additional environmental, economic, and health benefits for Rhode Island,

10-38

as appropriate.

10-39

     (c) The department may adopt regulations governing how market-based compliance

10-40

mechanisms may be used by regulated entities subject to greenhouse gas emission limits and

10-41

mandatory emission reporting requirements to achieve compliance with their greenhouse gas

10-42

emissions limits.

10-43

     (d) Nothing in this chapter shall confer any authority on the department or office or any

10-44

other state agency to make less stringent any programs administered by other state agencies for

10-45

the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

10-46

     23-88-9.Enforcement.-- (a) The department and other state agencies adopting

10-47

regulations pursuant to this chapter shall monitor compliance with and enforce any rule,

10-48

regulation, order, emission limitation, emission reduction measure, or market-based compliance

10-49

mechanism adopted by the department or other state agency pursuant to this chapter.

10-50

     (b) In the instance of any violation of any rule, regulation, order, emission limitation,

10-51

emissions reduction measure, or other measure adopted by the department or other state agency

10-52

pursuant to this chapter, the violating entity shall be subject to those penalties set forth in that

10-53

agency's regulations.

10-54

     (c) The plans adopted by the department under section 23-88-6 may include proposed

10-55

legislation or regulations to tighten enforcement sanctions for violations of rules adopted under

10-56

this chapter in furtherance of the goals of this chapter.

10-57

     23-88-10. Reporting. – (a) No later than December 1, 2015, and biennially thereafter, the

10-58

department, in coordination with the office of energy resources, shall prepare and transmit, in

10-59

writing, a report to the governor, to the general treasurer, and to the general assembly, on the

10-60

status of the greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and reporting program established pursuant to

10-61

this chapter, the current level of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, and the progress made

10-62

toward compliance with the 2019 limit, the 2024, limit and the 2050 limit established pursuant to

10-63

this chapter. The report shall also include updated and comparative inventories of statewide

10-64

greenhouse gas emissions.

10-65

     (b) No later than December 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, the department shall prepare

10-66

and transmit, in writing, a report to the governor and to the general assembly on the state's

10-67

progress in meeting the deadlines established by this chapter. Such report shall include a

10-68

summary of the approved plans established under section 23-88-6 of this chapter and the

11-1

requirements for each state agency to adopt regulations or other programs pursuant to those plans,

11-2

and shall attach a report from each such agency describing its compliance with the requirements

11-3

of the plans.

11-4

     23-88-11. Additional provisions. – (a) Any regulation adopted by the department or any

11-5

other state agency pursuant to this chapter shall ensure that the greenhouse gas emission

11-6

reductions achieved are real, permanent, quantifiable, verifiable, and enforceable.

11-7

     (b) Nothing in this chapter shall relieve any person, entity, or public agency of

11-8

compliance with other applicable federal, state, or local laws or regulations, including state air

11-9

and water quality requirements, and other requirements for protecting public health or the

11-10

environment.

11-11

     (c) The provisions of this chapter are severable. If any provision of this chapter or its

11-12

application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can

11-13

be given effect without the invalid provision or application.

11-14

     (d) Nothing in this chapter shall limit the existing authority of a state entity to adopt and

11-15

implement greenhouse gas emissions reduction measures.

11-16

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

=======

LC01728/SUB A

========

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

***

12-1

     This act would create the Rhode Island energy independence and climate solutions act

12-2

which would attempt to reduce greenhouse gases and thus retard global warming.

12-3

     This act would take effect upon passage.

=======

LC01728/SUB A

=======