2025 -- H 6418

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LC003055

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

     RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INCREASING THE USE AND BUILDING THE

INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ALTERNATIVE FUELS

     Introduced By: Representative Stephen M. Casey

     Date Introduced: June 12, 2025

     Referred To: House Corporations

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island continues to rely heavily on fossil fuels - particularly natural

gas - for heating and electricity generation, while also making strides in renewable electricity

through solar, wind, and biomass; and

     WHEREAS, Alternative fuels including, but not limited to, biofuels such as ethanol and

biodiesel, hydrogen, propane, wood pellets, nuclear, geothermal, and photovoltaics, have the

potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower fuel costs, increase energy independence,

and improve public health outcomes; and

     WHEREAS, Beyond their environmental benefits, alternative fuels contribute to energy

security, promote economic development, and support a cleaner and more resilient energy and

transportation sector; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island has enacted laws and incentives to promote the adoption of

alternative fuels, including fuel efficiency standards, tax credits, and carbon reduction goals

across transportation and power generation sectors; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of fourteen (14) members: four (4) of whom shall be members of the Rhode Island

House of Representatives, not more than three (3) from the same political party, to be appointed

by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a representative of the Energy Marketers

Association of Rhode Island, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be

a representative of a large biofuel energy company headquartered in Rhode Island, to be

appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a representative of a small to mid-

size biofuel energy company based in Rhode Island, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House;

one of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center, or designee; one

of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode Island Manufacturers Association, to be

appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be a representative of the Rhode

Island Public Utilities Commission, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom

shall be a representative of the biomass or modern wood heating sector, either MESYS or similar,

to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Director of the Rhode

Island Office of Energy Resources, or designee; one of whom shall be a representative from the

Dominion Energy Nuclear Facilities, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; and one of

whom shall be a representative from the RI Business Leaders Alliance, to be appointed by the

Speaker of the House.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study

commission, or any commission created by a General Assembly resolution, the appointing

authority may appoint a member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator.

     That the purpose of said commission shall be to evaluate current and emerging alternative

fuel sources viable for Rhode Island’s energy future, identify infrastructure requirements, assess

potential implementation costs, and recommend actions for encouraging in-state production, use,

and investment in alternative fuel technologies.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select a chairperson from among its

members.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

and administrative support for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives no later than March 10, 2026, and said commission shall expire on May

10, 2026.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND PROVIDE

     RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INCREASING THE USE AND BUILDING THE

INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ALTERNATIVE FUELS

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     This resolution would create a fourteen (14) member special legislative study

commission whose purpose it would be to study and provide recommendations on viable

alternative fuels—excluding solar and wind—and the infrastructure and cost considerations

associated with their development in Rhode Island, and who would report back to the House no

later than March 10, 2026, and would expire on May 10, 2026.

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