| Chapter 027 |
| 2017 -- H 5575 Enacted 06/19/2017 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- STATEWIDE MUNICIPAL SOLAR PERMIT |
| Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Regunberg, Ruggiero, and Donovan |
| Date Introduced: February 16, 2017 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Title 45 of the General Laws entitled "TOWNS AND CITIES" is hereby |
| amended by adding thereto the following chapter: |
| CHAPTER 6768 |
| STATEWIDE MUNICIPAL SOLAR PERMIT |
| 45-6768-1. Legislative purpose. |
| The purpose of this chapter is to provide a predictable and universal process for obtaining |
| a single permit that encompasses both building and electric permits for solar photovoltaic systems |
| with municipalities. |
| 45-6768-2. Definitions. |
| When used in this chapter, these terms shall have the following meaning: |
| (1) "Commission" means the Rhode Island state building code commission; |
| (2) "Office" means the Rhode Island office of energy resources; and |
| (3) "Solar energy permit" means a standard application used by municipalities that covers |
| both the building and electrical permit aspects of a solar photovoltaic system installation. |
| 45-6768-3. Renewable energy permit. |
| (a) The office, in consultation with the commission, shall promulgate and adopt rules and |
| regulations that will create a statewide solar photovoltaic permit application that municipalities |
| will be required to use beginning on January 1, 2018. The office's rules and regulations shall be |
| adopted no later than November 1, 2017. |
| (b) The office shall establish an advisory group for the purpose of creating a statewide |
| solar energy permit application form. |
| (c) The advisory group shall include the following members and may be expanded by the |
| office in its discretion, to include other personnel with experience and/or expertise in the area of |
| solar energy: |
| (1) A renewable energy developer with expertise in residential solar photovoltaic |
| installation; |
| (2) A renewable energy developer with expertise in commercial solar photovoltaic |
| installations; and |
| (3) Three (3) municipal officials with expertise in building and electric permitting |
| processes. |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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| LC001352 |
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