2026 -- H 7139

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LC003623

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- THE RENEWABLE ENERGY

GROWTH PROGRAM

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Place, Hopkins, Paplauskas, Roberts, Newberry,
Nardone, Quattrocchi, Chippendale, and Fascia

     Date Introduced: January 16, 2026

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 39-26.6-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-26.6 entitled "The

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Renewable Energy Growth Program" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     39-26.6-2. Renewable energy growth program established.

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     To carry out these purposes, a tariff-based, renewable energy distributed-generation

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financing program, hereinafter referred to as the renewable energy growth program, is hereby

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established with the intention of continuing the development of renewable energy distributed

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generation in the load zone of the electric distribution company at reasonable cost. The program

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shall be designed to finance the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy

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distributed-generation projects over five (5) years through a performance-based incentive system

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that is designed to achieve specified megawatt targets at reasonable cost through competitive

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processes. The renewable energy growth program shall be implemented by the electric distribution

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company, and guided by the distributed-generation board, in consultation with the office of energy

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resources, subject to the review and supervision of the commission; provided, however, that any

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tariffs, costs or other mandates imposed under §§ 39-26.6-5, 39-26.6-6, 39-26.6-13, 39-26.6-18 or

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39-26.6-25 shall be subject to review and approval by the general assembly.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC003623

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- THE RENEWABLE ENERGY

GROWTH PROGRAM

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     This act would require that any costs, tariffs or other mandates related to the state’s

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renewable energy growth program be reviewed and approved by the general assembly.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC003623

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