reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 39-26.3-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.3 - Distributed Generation Interconnection|Section 39-26.3-2 - Definitions.

§ 39-26.3-2. Definitions.The following terms shall have the meanings given below for purposes of this chapter:(1) "Applicant" means an electric distribution customer or distributed-generation developer who submits an application to the electric distribution company for the installation of a renewable distributed-generation interconnection to the distribution system for a renewable distributed-generation project that, as contemplated, meets the eligibility requirements for net metering contained within this title or the eligibility requirements for a standard contract contained within this title.(2) "Feasibility study" means a high-level project assessment that includes an estimate of the cost of interconnecting to the distribution system that would be assessed on the applicant for an interconnection. The estimate is not based on any engineering study, but is based on past experience and judgment of the electric distribution company, taking into account the information in the application, the location of the interconnection, and general knowledge of the distribution and transmission system. The estimate cannot be relied upon by the applicant for purposes of holding the electric distribution company liable or responsible for its accuracy as long as the electric distribution company has provided the estimate in good faith. The feasibility study estimate shall be a range within which the electric distribution company believes the interconnection costs are likely to be and shall include a disclaimer that explains the nature of the estimate.(3) "Feasibility study fee" means a fee that shall be charged to the applicant to obtain a feasibility study as specified in § 39-26.3-4.(4) "Impact study" means an engineering study that includes an estimate of the cost of interconnecting to the distribution system that would be assessed on the applicant for an interconnection that is based on an engineering study of the details of the proposed generation project. The estimate generally will have a probability of accuracy of plus or minus twenty-five percent (25%). The estimate may be relied upon by the applicant for purposes of determining the expected cost of interconnection, but the distribution company may not be held liable or responsible if the actual costs exceed the estimate as long as the estimate was provided in good faith and the interconnection was implemented prudently by the electric distribution company.(5) "Impact study fee" means a fee that shall be charged to the applicant to obtain an impact study as specified in § 39-26.3-4.(6) "Renewable energy resource" means those resources set forth in § 39-26-5.History of Section.P.L. 2011, ch. 140, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 144, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 112, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 176, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-26.3-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.3 - Distributed Generation Interconnection|Section 39-26.3-5 - Liberal construction of chapter required.

§ 39-26.3-5. Liberal construction of chapter required.This chapter shall be construed liberally in aid of its policy objective.History of Section.P.L. 2011, ch. 140, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 144, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-26.3-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.3 - Distributed Generation Interconnection|Section 39-26.3-6 - Severability.

§ 39-26.3-6. Severability.If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or application of the chapter that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.History of Section.P.L. 2011, ch. 140, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 144, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-26.4-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.4 - Net Metering|Section 39-26.4-1 - Purpose.

§ 39-26.4-1. Purpose.The purpose of this chapter is to facilitate and promote installation of customer-sited, grid-connected generation of renewable energy; to support and encourage customer development of renewable generation systems; to reduce environmental impacts; to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change by encouraging the local siting of renewable energy projects; to diversify the state's energy generation sources; to stimulate economic development; to improve distribution system resilience and reliability; and to reduce distribution system costs.History of Section.P.L. 2011, ch. 134, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 147, § 2.
RI Gen L § 39-26.4-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.4 - Net Metering|Section 39-26.4-4 - Liberal construction of chapter required.

§ 39-26.4-4. Liberal construction of chapter required.This chapter shall be construed liberally in aid of its declared purposes.History of Section.P.L. 2011, ch. 134, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 147, § 2.
RI Gen L § 39-26.4-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.4 - Net Metering|Section 39-26.4-5 - Severability.

§ 39-26.4-5. Severability.If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.History of Section.P.L. 2011, ch. 134, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 147, § 2; P.L. 2020, ch. 79, art. 1, § 19.
RI Gen L § 39-26.5-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.5 - Property Assessed Clean Energy Program|Section 39-26.5-1 - Legislative findings.

§ 39-26.5-1. Legislative findings.It is hereby found and declared:(1) Investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements is financially beneficial over time, as well as good for the environment;(2) Upfront costs are a barrier to investments in major energy improvements for both commercial and residential property owners;(3) There are few financing options available that combine easy qualification, an attractive interest rate, and a relatively long repayment term;(4) Property-Assessed Clean Energy, hereinafter referred to as PACE, is a voluntary financing mechanism that allows both residential and commercial property owners to access affordable, long-term financing for renewable energy and energy-efficiency upgrades including, but not limited to, system-reliability upgrades, alternative fuel infrastructure upgrades, and other eligible environmental health and environmental safety upgrades on their property;(5) PACE financing offers incremental, special-assessment payments that are low and fixed for up to twenty (20) years, with no upfront costs; the PACE special-assessment fees transfer to the new owner when a property is sold, or the assessment obligation can be paid in full at transfer; and electricity and fuel bills are lower than they would be without the improvements; and(6) PACE financing will create a means for Rhode Island cities and towns to provide a mechanism to increase community sustainability, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and meet other energy goals and will also provide a valuable service to the citizens of their communities.History of Section.P.L. 2013, ch. 271, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 361, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 14, § 9.
RI Gen L § 39-26.5-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.5 - Property Assessed Clean Energy Program|Section 39-26.5-3 - Property-Assessed Clean Energy Municipality.

§ 39-26.5-3. Property-Assessed Clean Energy Municipality.A town or city council by resolution may designate the municipality as a "PACE municipality."History of Section.P.L. 2013, ch. 271, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 361, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 14, § 9.
RI Gen L § 39-26.5-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.5 - Property Assessed Clean Energy Program|Section 39-26.5-4 - [Repealed.]

§ 39-26.5-4. [Repealed.]History of Section.P.L. 2013, ch. 271, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 361, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 14, § 10, effective June 30, 2015.
RI Gen L § 39-26.5-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.5 - Property Assessed Clean Energy Program|Section 39-26.5-5 - Rights of PACE property owners.

§ 39-26.5-5. Rights of PACE property owners.A PACE property owner may enter into a contract for the installation or construction of a project relating to renewable energy as defined in § 39-26-5, or relating to energy efficiency as defined in § 39-1-27.7 or as defined by the Rhode Island infrastructure bank pursuant to regulations authorized under this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 2013, ch. 271, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 361, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 14, § 9.
RI Gen L § 39-26.5-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.5 - Property Assessed Clean Energy Program|Section 39-26.5-6 - Priority of PACE lien.

§ 39-26.5-6. Priority of PACE lien.(a) A PACE lien on a residential property shall be: subordinate to all liens on the residential property in existence at the time the residential PACE lien is filed; subordinate to a first mortgage on the residential property recorded after the PACE lien is filed; and superior to any other lien on the residential property recorded after the PACE lien is filed. This subsection shall not affect the status or priority of any other municipal or statutory lien.(b) At the time of a transfer of property ownership of a residential property, including by foreclosure, the past-due balances of any special assessment under this chapter shall be due for payment. In the event of a foreclosure action, the past-due balances shall include all payments on a PACE assessment that are due and unpaid as of the date of the foreclosure. Unless otherwise agreed by the PACE lender, all payments on the PACE assessment that become due after the date of transfer by foreclosure or otherwise shall continue to be secured by a PACE lien on the PACE property and shall be the responsibility of the transferee.(c) A PACE lien on a commercial property shall be: senior to all liens on the commercial property in existence at the time the PACE lien is filed, subject to the consent of the existing mortgage holders on the property; senior to all liens filed or recorded after the time the PACE lien is created; but junior to a municipal tax lien.(d) At the time of a transfer of property ownership of a commercial property, including by tax sale, in accordance with § 44-9-32, or foreclosure, the past-due balances of any PACE assessment under this chapter shall be due for payment. Unless otherwise agreed by the PACE lender, all payments of PACE assessments that become due after the date of transfer by tax sale, in accordance with § 44-9-32, or foreclosure, or otherwise shall be secured by a PACE lien on the PACE property and shall be the responsibility of the transferee.History of Section.P.L. 2013, ch. 271, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 361, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 14, § 9; P.L. 2017, ch. 184, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 261, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 480, § 3.
RI Gen L § 39-26.5-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.5 - Property Assessed Clean Energy Program|Section 39-26.5-7 - Administration of PACE - Loan loss reserve fund.

§ 39-26.5-7. Administration of PACE — Loan loss reserve fund.(a) The Rhode Island infrastructure bank is hereby authorized to create, set up on its books, and administer one or more PACE funds for the purpose of providing financial assistance to residential and commercial property owners for PACE projects. Additionally, the Rhode Island infrastructure bank may enter into an agreement, with one or more approved institutions, to create one or more loan loss reserve funds (LRF) or other financing mechanisms to provide financial incentives or additional security for PACE projects.(b) In the event that there is a foreclosure of a PACE property and the proceeds resulting from such a foreclosure are insufficient to pay the past-due balances on the associated PACE assessment, after all superior liens have been satisfied, payment from the LRF shall be made in the amount of the past-due balances on the PACE assessment. The LRF shall be administered by the Rhode Island infrastructure bank or by the institution selected by the Rhode Island infrastructure bank; in the latter case the Rhode Island infrastructure bank shall provide oversight of the LRF.History of Section.P.L. 2013, ch. 271, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 361, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 14, § 9; P.L. 2020, ch. 79, art. 1, § 20.
RI Gen L § 39-26.5-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.5 - Property Assessed Clean Energy Program|Section 39-26.5-8 - Assistance to municipalities.

§ 39-26.5-8. Assistance to municipalities.The Rhode Island infrastructure bank shall:(1) Publish on its website a list of the types of PACE-eligible energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other projects as defined in rules and regulations promulgated under § 39-26.5-11;(2) Provide information concerning implementation of this chapter to each municipality that requests such information;(3) Offer administrative and technical assistance to any PACE municipality that voluntarily participates in the PACE program; and(4) Develop and offer informational resources to help residents make best use of the PACE program.History of Section.P.L. 2013, ch. 271, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 361, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 14, § 9.
RI Gen L § 39-26.5-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.5 - Property Assessed Clean Energy Program|Section 39-26.5-9 - Monitoring, reporting, compliance, underwriting criteria.

§ 39-26.5-9. Monitoring, reporting, compliance, underwriting criteria.The Rhode Island infrastructure bank shall determine compliance with the underwriting criteria, standards, and procedures set forth in the rules and regulations promulgated in accordance with this chapter and shall include an accounting of the PACE program in the annual report due each year under § 46-12.2-24.1. The report shall describe the implementation and operation of the PACE program including program receipts, disbursements, and earnings.History of Section.P.L. 2013, ch. 271, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 361, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 14, § 9.
RI Gen L § 39-26.5-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.5 - Property Assessed Clean Energy Program|Section 39-26.5-10 - Operations.

§ 39-26.5-10. Operations.The PACE program shall operate in accordance with all generally accepted banking practices and real estate practices, except as specifically stated within.History of Section.P.L. 2013, ch. 271, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 361, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-26.5-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.5 - Property Assessed Clean Energy Program|Section 39-26.5-11 - Rules and regulations.

§ 39-26.5-11. Rules and regulations.(a) The Rhode Island infrastructure bank shall consult with the office of energy resources to promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance with this section, and in accordance with chapter 35 of title 42. Such rules and regulations should ensure that the PACE program does not adversely affect the implementation of any other energy program in whose coordination the Rhode Island infrastructure bank or the office of energy resources is involved. Such rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following:(1) The necessary application requirements and procedures for any residential property owner or commercial property owner seeking PACE financing;(2) The necessary qualifications and requirements for a proposed PACE project;(3) The underwriting criteria to be applied in determining the eligibility of properties and property owners for PACE projects; and(4) Requirements that all existing lien holders on a property be given notice prior to a PACE assessment and lien being filed in connection with that property and that all commercial property owners seeking a commercial PACE loan receive consent of the existing mortgage holders on that property prior to being eligible.(b) The Rhode Island infrastructure bank shall be responsible for promulgating agreements, forms, and other documents necessary for the efficient administration of the PACE program.History of Section.P.L. 2013, ch. 271, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 361, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 141, art. 14, § 9; P.L. 2017, ch. 480, § 3.
RI Gen L § 39-26.6-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.6 - The Renewable Energy Growth Program|Section 39-26.6-1 - Purpose.

§ 39-26.6-1. Purpose.The purpose of this chapter is to facilitate and promote installation of grid-connected generation of renewable energy; support and encourage development of distributed renewable energy generation systems; reduce environmental impacts; reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change by encouraging the siting of renewable energy projects in the load zone of the electric distribution company; diversify the energy-generation sources within the load zone of the electric distribution company; stimulate economic development; improve distribution-system resilience and reliability within the load zone of the electric distribution company; and reduce distribution system costs.History of Section.P.L. 2014, ch. 200, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 216, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-26.6-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.6 - The Renewable Energy Growth Program|Section 39-26.6-2 - Renewable energy growth program established.

§ 39-26.6-2. Renewable energy growth program established.To carry out these purposes, a tariff-based, renewable energy distributed-generation financing program, hereinafter referred to as the renewable energy growth program, is hereby established with the intention of continuing the development of renewable energy distributed generation in the load zone of the electric distribution company at reasonable cost. The program shall be designed to finance the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy distributed-generation projects over five (5) years through a performance-based incentive system that is designed to achieve specified megawatt targets at reasonable cost through competitive processes. The renewable energy growth program shall be implemented by the electric distribution company, and guided by the distributed-generation board, in consultation with the office of energy resources, subject to the review and supervision of the commission.History of Section.P.L. 2014, ch. 200, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 216, § 1.
RI Gen L § 39-26.6-4 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.6 - The Renewable Energy Growth Program|Section 39-26.6-4 - Continuation of board.

§ 39-26.6-4. Continuation of board.(a) The distributed generation standard contract board shall remain fully constituted and authorized as provided in chapter 26.2 of this title; provided, however, that the name shall be changed to the "distributed-generation board." Additional purposes of the board shall be to:(1) Evaluate and make recommendations to the commission regarding ceiling prices and annual targets, the make-up of renewable energy classifications eligible under the distributed-generation growth program, the terms of the tariffs, and other duties as set forth in this chapter;(2) Provide consistent, comprehensive, informed, and publicly accountable involvement by representatives of all interested stakeholders affected by, involved with, or knowledgeable about the development of distributed-generation projects that are eligible for performance-based incentives under the distributed-generation growth program; and(3) Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the distributed-generation growth program.(b) The office, in consultation with the board, shall be authorized to hire, or to request the electric distribution company to hire, the services of qualified consultants to perform ceiling price studies subject to commission approval that shall be granted or denied within sixty (60) days of receipt of such request from the office. The cost of the studies shall be recoverable through the rate-reconciliation provisions of the electric distribution company set forth in § 39-26.6-25, subject to commission approval. In addition, the office, in consultation with the board, may request the commission to approve other costs incurred by the board, office, or the electric distribution company to utilize consultants for annual programmatic services or to perform any other studies and reports, subject to the review and approval of the commission, that shall be granted or denied within one hundred twenty (120) days of receipt of the request from the office, and that shall be recoverable through the same reconciliation provisions.(c) Revenues generated through the rate reconciliation process to finance the expenses incurred as outlined in subsection (b) shall be transferred to the office and deposited in a restricted-receipt account within the general fund. The restricted-receipt account shall be exempt from the indirect cost recovery assessment under § 35-4-27.History of Section.P.L. 2014, ch. 200, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 216, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 149, § 4; P.L. 2016, ch. 163, § 4; P.L. 2017, ch. 302, art. 7, § 3.
RI Gen L § 39-26.6-6 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers|Chapter 39-26.6 - The Renewable Energy Growth Program|Section 39-26.6-6 - Permanence of tariff terms once set.

§ 39-26.6-6. Permanence of tariff terms once set.It is the intention of the general assembly in enacting this chapter that the developers, owners, investors, customers, and lenders of the distributed-generation projects receiving performance-based incentives under the tariffs be able to rely on the tariffs for the entire term of the applicable tariff for purposes of obtaining financing. Consistent with that intention and expectation, the terms under the tariffs for a given program year, once approved by the commission, shall not be altered in any way that would undermine such reliance on those tariffs during the applicable terms of the tariffs; and in no circumstance will the performance-based incentive rate paid to a renewable energy project developer or owner be reduced during the term of the tariff once a renewable energy project has qualified to receive a tariff under the terms of this chapter.History of Section.P.L. 2014, ch. 200, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 216, § 1.