| R 337 |
| 2017 -- S 0981 Enacted 06/22/2017 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO ISSUE A REPORT INDICATING HOW UTILITIES SHOULD ENCOURAGE THE DEPLOYMENT OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES |
| Introduced By: Senators Miller, Felag, Conley, and Sosnowski |
| Date Introduced: June 21, 2017 |
| WHEREAS, The Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014 established goals for the reduction |
| of statewide greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 10 percent in 2020, 45 percent in |
| 2035, and 80 percent in 2050; and |
| WHEREAS, According to the recent Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council's |
| Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan (Plan), Rhode Island is on track to meet the Resilient |
| RI target for the year 2020 but not for 2035 or 2050; and |
| WHEREAS, The Plan finds that the transportation sector is the largest greenhouse gas |
| (GHG) contributor in Rhode Island and achieving the 2050 target would likely require 76 percent |
| of on-road vehicle miles traveled to be electrified; and |
| WHEREAS, The Plan details how electric vehicles produce a GHG reduction benefit due |
| to the inherent efficiency of the motor and drivetrain as well as the relatively cleaner emissions |
| profile. This GHG reduction benefit increases over time as the electricity supply shifts toward |
| higher clean energy penetration; and |
| WHEREAS, Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) have tremendous potential to reduce |
| residents' and businesses' expenditures on imported gasoline and diesel in addition to advancing |
| the state's clean energy and climate goals. There is an urgent need for the State of Rhode Island to |
| provide clear guidance for PEV owners, utilities, regulators, third-party providers, and other |
| stakeholders, and to facilitate and prepare for large-scale PEV adoption in a manner that provides |
| consumer and environmental benefits to the maximum extent possible; and |
| WHEREAS, The Transportation & Climate Initiative, a regional collaboration of 12 |
| Northeast and Mid-Atlantic jurisdictions that seeks to develop the clean energy economy and |
| reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, cites a Pike Research survey |
| highlighting that the Providence-New Bedford-Fall River metropolitan area is likely to have high |
| penetration rates or absolute sales of electric vehicles relative to the national average; and |
| WHEREAS, Rhode Island's electric vehicle charging infrastructure now includes over 75 |
| Level 2 (240 volt) electric vehicle supply stations; and |
| WHEREAS, The United States Department of Transportation recently designated the |
| Interstate 95 highway as an alternative fuel corridor and this designation is expected to both |
| accelerate private investment in electric vehicle infrastructure and bring additional federal support |
| to the region in the future; and |
| WHEREAS, Increasing the use of electricity for transportation through the large-scale |
| adoption of PEVs represents a significant opportunity to further important state policy goals to |
| reduce transportation expenditure on imported gasoline and diesel, boost economic activity by |
| keeping more of our energy dollars in state, diversify our transportation fuel networks, reduce |
| greenhouse gas pollution, modernize the electric grid, and reduce criteria air pollutants; and |
| WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC) is well suited to |
| consider and make recommendations regarding the structural reforms necessary to ensure that |
| PEVs are integrated into the electric system in a manner that enhances distribution system |
| reliability, minimizes costs, and protects consumers; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations |
| hereby respectfully requests that the RIPUC submit a report to the Governor, Senate President, |
| and Speaker of the House on or before November 30, 2017, to develop a regulatory framework to |
| establish principles and guidance for standards that must be met by a utility seeking to invest |
| ratepayer funds in electric vehicle infrastructure; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission. |
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| LC002879 |
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