2024 -- S 2294

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LC003567

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION TO

CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC OUTCOMES OF

DECARBONIZING RHODE ISLAND BY 2030

     Introduced By: Senators Bell, Kallman, Valverde, Ujifusa, Cano, and Gu

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     WHEREAS, The term decarbonization is defined as the reduction of carbon through

conversion to an economic system that sustainably reduces and compensates the emissions of

carbon dioxide (CO2) with a long-term goal of creating a CO2-free global economy; and

     WHEREAS, Electricity rates in Rhode Island increased 46 percent in 2022 and in

October of 2023, a 24 percent increase was approved. The cost of fossil fuels and electricity

produced by fossil fuels is projected to continue increase through 2050; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island economy shrinks by approximately $3 billion every year

as consumers send money out-of-state to buy energy; and

     WHEREAS, Nebraska continues to pay some of the lowest electricity rates in the United

States because publicly-owned utilities distribute electricity; and

     WHEREAS, The Batesville School District in Arkansas has received significant revenue

from energy efficiency and solar energy production; and

     WHEREAS, Alaska has built a $66 billion reserve and pays dividends to its citizens from

energy and mining sales; and

     WHEREAS, Decarbonization that incorporates the methods of Nebraska, Arkansas, and

Alaska can lower energy prices in Rhode Island, grow the state’s economy, and create revenue

for the State; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby respectfully requests a

study to be conducted through a request for proposal (RFP) costing no more than $2.5 million to

produce a report on the technical and economic outcomes of decarbonizing Rhode Island by

2030, with the aim of reducing the cost of energy, growing Rhode Island’s economy, boosting

Act on Climate, and creating the maximum amount of revenue for the state; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby requests that the study analyzes and includes the

following technical factors:

     • How to bring Rhode Island to top energy efficiency;

     • How to generate 100 percent of Rhode Island’s energy needs with solar and wind

power;

     • Evaluate offshore and onshore wind for energy production;

     • Evaluate vertical-access wind turbines (VAWT) for energy production;

     • Evaluate other viable clean energy production technologies for energy production;

     • Evaluate producing extra energy for out-of-state energy sales;

     • Produce recommendations without harming or disrupting wilderness, habits, and

wildlife;

     • How to renovate the grid for maximum resilience and efficiency;

     • Evaluate micro-grids and battery energy storage for energy distribution;

     • How to electrify heating/cooling and transportation; and

     • Evaluate replacing natural gas pipelines with geothermal loops; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby requests that the study analyzes and includes the

following economic factors:

     • Determine costs of energy efficiency, solar and wind infrastructure, renovating the

grid, and electrifying heating/cooling and transportation;

     • Determine profits from energy production;

     • Determine the best ratio of public/private development and ownership for maximum

state revenue;

     • Evaluate leasing/partnerships with property owners;

     • Project electricity rates;

     • Evaluate reinvestment of profits into Rhode Island communities;

     • Evaluate annual dividends to citizens; and

     • Evaluate jobs and other economic effects during building and after construction; and be

it further

     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby requests that the RFP be issued by September 1,

2024, and the study be completed by March 7, 2025, and that a copy of the final report be given

to the House of Representatives upon completion; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby requests that the Secretary of State administer and

oversee the RFP; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Daniel McKee, Governor of the

State of Rhode Island, and Jonathan Womer, Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Administration.

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LC003567

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