2024 -- H 8261

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LC006077

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- SOLAR SITING ADVISORY

TASKFORCE

     Introduced By: Representatives Phillips, Morales, Dawson, J. Brien, Chippendale,
Newberry, Shanley, Perez, Costantino, and Lima

     Date Introduced: May 10, 2024

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. The general assembly finds that:

     (1) Facilitating and promoting installation of renewable energy infrastructure to reduce

carbon emissions that contribute to climate change requires consideration of siting impacts on the

environment.

     (2) Installing renewable energy infrastructure on areas ill-suited for diverse development

types, which includes interstate rights of way and state-owned properties such as the parking areas

and rooftops of public, municipal, or state-owned buildings, would assist the state to meet its

climate resiliency goals, including those established in chapter 6.2 of title 42 ("act on climate"),

while minimizing environmental impact.

     (3) Placing solar energy systems on interstate rights of way would ensure that solar energy

systems are not surrounded by sunlight blocking structures, and ensure that engineers will have

clear access for the purposes of construction, interconnection, repair, and maintenance.

     (4) The use of interstate rights of way to accommodate solar energy systems is permissible

provided such developments comply with federal laws, federal regulations, state law, and the state

utility accommodation policy.

     (5) By using interstate rights of way, Rhode Island can reduce the number of trees required

to be removed to support the installation of solar energy systems, and promote the preservation of

trees.

     (6) The department of transportation has identified at least two hundred (200) acres at

several sites on interstate rights of way that are potential viable locations for solar energy systems.

     (7) The department of environmental management has developed guidelines for the

installation of solar energy systems on sites within their jurisdiction, and offers pre-application

meetings with applicants to coordinate projects that involve multiple permits, in order to decrease

the time necessary to process the proposal.

     (8) Challenges to successful implementation of solar energy systems includes the cost and

process necessary to interconnect solar energy systems to the electrical grid.

     (9) The state may expedite solar energy system installations by having state agencies and

key stakeholders with jurisdiction and/or subject matter expertise provide technical assistance and

professional advice.

     SECTION 2. Title 39 of the General Laws entitled "PUBLIC UTILITIES AND

CARRIERS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 33

SOLAR SITING ADVISORY TASKFORCE

     39-33-1. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter:

     (1) “Eligible property” means a property owned by the state including: the parking areas

and rooftops of a public, municipal, or state-owned building; an interstate right of way; or such

other location as the taskforce may determine appropriate and which are subject to the jurisdiction

of the state.

     (2) “Interstate right of way” means the undeveloped area on highway medians, off ramps,

and interchanges.

     (3) “Power-purchase agreement” means the same as that term is defined in § 39-26.8-2.

     (4) “Solar energy system” means the same as that term is defined in § 39-26.8-2 and

includes devices used to store electricity as may be generated.

     39-33-2. Solar siting advisory taskforce.

     (a) There is hereby established a solar siting advisory taskforce (hereinafter the

“taskforce”). The taskforce shall consist of nine (9) members as follows:

     (1) The director of the department of transportation, or designee;

     (2) The chairperson of the state properties committee, or designee;

     (3) The chairperson of the public utilities commission, or designee;

     (4) The director of the department of environmental management, or designee;

     (5) The commissioner of the office of energy resources, or designee;

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     (6) The secretary of commerce, or designee;

     (7) One representative of an electric distribution company that does business in Rhode

Island to be appointed by the governor; and

     (8) Two (2) members of the public who shall have experience with the assembly and

installation of solar energy systems to be appointed by the governor.

     (b) The purpose of this taskforce shall be to provide recommendations, advice and guidance

to help expedite and facilitate the development of solar energy systems on eligible property.

     (c) In furtherance of the purposes of the taskforce stated in subsection (b) of this section,

the taskforce shall, consistent with the provisions of chapter 2 of title 37 ("state purchases"), provide

recommendations to the appropriate state agencies regarding the proposed use of an eligible

property for the installation of a solar energy system and make any such suggestions as the taskforce

deems necessary to advance the successful installation of the solar energy system at the eligible

property.

     39-33-3. Annual Report.

     The taskforce shall submit an annual report on the taskforce’s activities for the previous

calendar year, on or before September 8, 2025, and annually thereafter, to the governor, the speaker

of the house, and the president of the senate. This report shall include a cost-benefit analysis of the

implementation of solar energy systems on eligible properties as set forth in this chapter.

     39-33-4. Sunset.

     The provisions of this chapter shall expire and sunset on September 8, 2027.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- SOLAR SITING ADVISORY

TASKFORCE

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     This act would create a taskforce to provide recommendations, advice and guidance to help

expedite and provide technical assistance with regard to the development of solar energy systems

on property owned by the state, including the parking areas of public and municipal properties and

areas of interstate rights of way.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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