2025 -- H 6202 | |
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LC002549 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- NET METERING -- LONG-TERM | |
CONTRACTS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY -- MORATORIUM | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Chippendale, J. Brien, Casey, Paplauskas, Quattrocchi, | |
Date Introduced: April 09, 2025 | |
Referred To: House Corporations | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Title 39 of the General Laws entitled "PUBLIC UTILITIES AND |
2 | CARRIERS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: |
3 | CHAPTER 36 |
4 | MORATORIUM ON NET METERING, LONG-TERM CONTRACTS AND SUBSIDIES FOR |
5 | HEAT PUMPS |
6 | 39-36-1. Definitions. |
7 | As used in this chapter the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings: |
8 | (1) “Heat pump” means any device that transfers heat using mechanical energy; |
9 | (2) “Long-term contract” means any contract in excess of five (5) years; |
10 | (3) “Net metering” means using electrical energy generated by an eligible net-metering |
11 | system for the purpose of self-supplying electrical energy and power at the eligible net-metering |
12 | system site; |
13 | (4) “Solar energy” means a form of renewable energy that harnesses the power of the sun |
14 | to generate electricity; |
15 | (5) “Wind energy” means a form of renewable energy that harnesses the power of the wind |
16 | to generate electricity. |
17 | 39-36-2. Moratorium related to net metering, long-term contracts and subsidies. |
18 | (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws to the contrary including, but |
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1 | not limited to, chapter 26.4 of title 39, any right to renew or enter into any net metering contracts |
2 | that are regulated by state law and no customer sited and/or grid-connected power generated energy |
3 | contracts shall be permitted under any provision of the general laws. |
4 | (b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws to the contrary, including, but |
5 | not limited to the provisions of chapter 26.1 of title 39, the State of Rhode Island is hereby |
6 | prohibited from entering into any long-term contracts for the purchasing of solar or wind energy |
7 | with any energy provider. |
8 | (c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws to the contrary, including, but |
9 | not limited to, the provisions of chapter 27 of title 39, and notwithstanding any program utilized by |
10 | the office of energy resources for the State of Rhode Island, no state funds shall be used to subsidize |
11 | the purchase or installation of heat pumps provided by any utility or governmental agency. |
12 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2026. |
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LC002549 | |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- NET METERING -- LONG-TERM | |
CONTRACTS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY -- MORATORIUM | |
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1 | This act would place a moratorium on net metering contracts, subsidies for heat pumps and |
2 | long-term contracts for the purchasing of solar or wind energy. |
3 | This act would take effect on January 1, 2026. |
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LC002549 | |
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