2024 -- S 2510

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LC005076

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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 RHODE ISLAND ENERGY IN CONJUNCTION WITH

THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL FOR NEW, MULTI-

YEAR ELECTRIC VEHICLE PROGRAMMING

     

     Introduced By: Senators Ujifusa, Gu, Zurier, Ciccone, DiPalma, Mack, McKenney, Bell,
Pearson, and Euer

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is committed to reducing economy-wide greenhouse gas

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emissions 45 percent under 1990 levels and reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 per the

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Act on Climate; and

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     WHEREAS, The transportation sector accounts for 38 percent of Rhode Island's

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greenhouse gas emissions and replacing gasoline-powered vehicles with electric vehicles charged

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on the electric grid in Rhode Island reduces per-mile emissions substantially; and

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     WHEREAS, The 2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan identifies

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incentivizing electric mobility as a key climate strategy; and

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     WHEREAS, Access to electric vehicle charging is one of the primary barriers facing

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consumers who want to make the switch from a gas-powered vehicle to an electric vehicle; and

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     WHEREAS, Currently, there are no state or utility incentives to build out more electric

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vehicle charging infrastructure for drivers in Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, Make Ready programs, in which electric utilities cover the costs of needed

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wiring upgrades to bring electric service to the charging pad for electric vehicle charging stations,

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significantly bring down the costs of installing electric vehicle charging stations for site hosts;

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and

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     WHEREAS, Make Ready programs can be coupled with rebates for electric vehicle

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supply equipment to further bring down the cost of installing charging; and

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     WHEREAS, Increased adoption of electric vehicles exerts a downward pressure on

 

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electricity rates; and

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     WHEREAS, Rhode Island Energy does not currently offer any electric vehicle charging

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infrastructure incentives; now, therefore be it

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

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Energy to issue a proposal for new, multi-year electric vehicle programming, to the Public

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Utilities Commission no later than six months after the effective date of this resolution; and be it

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further

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby requests that said proposal shall include the

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following:

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     • Comprehensive Make Ready offerings for the following segments: residential

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consumers (including multi-unit dwellings), workplaces, public charging sites, and fleets (light-,

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medium- and heavy-duty);

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     • Corresponding rebates for electric vehicle supply equipment in all the segments

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referenced above;

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     • Greater incentive levels for low-income people or people who live in disadvantaged

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communities;

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     • Off-peak charging rebates that:

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     (1) Are open for participation via vehicle telematics, smart chargers, or external

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telematics devices;

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     (2) Are available for fleet vehicles as well as residential customers;

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     (3) Account for all of the benefits of charging off-peak, including:

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     (i) Avoided generation costs;

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(ii) Avoided transmission and distribution costs;

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     (iii) Avoided emissions and emission costs;

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     (iv) Avoided reliability costs;

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     (v) Avoided costs due to induced price effects; and

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     (vi) Non-energy benefits; and

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     • Specific offerings to make charging more available to residents of multi-unit buildings

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or people who park their vehicle on the street, such as curbside or pole-mounted charging pilots;

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and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby requests the Public Utilities Commission to issue at

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least one order that responds to Rhode Island Energy's proposal no later than 12 months after the

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passage of this resolution; and be it further

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

 

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Chair of the Public Utilities Commission

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and the President of Rhode Island Energy.

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LC005076

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