10-R239

2010 -- H 7996 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 05/13/10

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION KNOWN AS THE RENEWABLE ENERGY TASK FORCE

Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Handy, M Rice, Ehrhardt, and Ferri

Date Introduced: April 08, 2010

     WHEREAS, Small business is critical to the Rhode Island economy, employing sixty

percent (60%) of the state's workforce. A successful green Rhode Island economy will require

that the small business community partners with government in identifying and recommending

key goals for a statewide renewable energy policy; and

     WHEREAS, The General Assembly finds it is in the best interest of the people of the

state to adopt a state renewable energy policy which will foster the growth and development of

clean, renewable sources including wind, solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal, and biogas, and

removing barriers to and promoting opportunities for renewable energy projects, creating jobs for

Rhode Islanders and helping Rhode Island to become a leader in renewable energy; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission known as the Rhode Island Small

Business Renewable Energy Task Force be and the same is hereby created consisting of thirteen

(13) members: one of whom shall be a representative from the Rhode Island Department of

Energy, to be appointed by the director of the Rhode Island Department of Energy; one of whom

shall be a representative from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, to be

appointed by the director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation; one of whom

shall be the director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, or designee;

one of whom shall be a representative from a city or town within Rhode Island with an existing

and operating renewable energy installation, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of

whom shall be a representative from a Rhode Island College or University or Law School, to be

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

utility or gas company that provides service and distribution of energy in Rhode Island, to be

appointed by the Speaker of the House; three (3) of whom shall be representatives of small

businesses located in Rhode Island, one of which shall be a small business owner/operator, and

one of which shall be a renewable energy business, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House;

one of whom shall be a representative from a business or nonprofit organization that is a large

energy user, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; and three (3) of whom shall be

representatives from the House of representatives, not more than two (2) from the same political

party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to:

     (1) Review and identify the existing governmental agencies, departments, cities and

towns, and municipal organizations regulating renewable energy installations, development and

project approvals, as well as renewable energy services, service providers, developers and

businesses in Rhode Island; (2) Make recommendations to consolidate and harmonize the effort,

authority, accountability and regulation between and among such agencies, departments, cities

and towns and municipal organizations; and (3) Identify and recommend the key goals for a state-

wide renewable energy policy to be implemented through a strategic plan by the state, which

plans shall include the specified agency, department, governmental branch, or office accountable

for the actions to be taken to implement each such goal of the policy through implementation of

the strategic plan.

     For purposes of this resolution, “Rhode Island small business” means a business

incorporated or headquartered in Rhode Island which meets the criteria of a small business by the

United States Small Business Administration.

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

the call of the Speaker of the House and shall elect a chairperson.

     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, including full subpoena

power, which may only be exercised with the prior approval of the Speaker of the House.

     The Joint Committee on Legislative Services is hereby authorized and directed to provide

suitable quarters for said commission; and be it further

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

General Assembly no later than March 1, 2011 and said commission shall expire on June 30,

2011.

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LC02304/SUB A/3

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