reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26 - Renewable Energy Standard › Section 39-26-5. - Renewable energy resources.

§ 39-26-5. Renewable energy resources.
(a)
Renewable energy resources are:
(1)
Direct solar radiation;
(2)
The wind;
(3)
Movement or the latent heat of the ocean;
(4)
The heat of the earth;
(5)
Small hydro facilities;
(6)
Biomass facilities using eligible biomass fuels and maintaining compliance with current air permits; eligible biomass fuels may be co-fired with fossil fuels, provided that only the renewable energy fraction of production from multi-fuel facilities shall be considered eligible;
(7)
Fuel cells using the renewable resources referenced above in this section; and
(8)
Waste-to-energy combustion of any sort or manner, including, without limitation, high-heat medical waste processing facilities, shall in no instance be considered eligible, except for fuels identified in § 39-26-2(6).
(b)
For the purposes of the regulations promulgated under this chapter, eligible renewable energy resources are generation units in the NEPOOL control area using renewable energy resources as defined in this section.
(c)
A generation unit located in an adjacent control area outside of the NEPOOL may qualify as an eligible renewable energy resource, but the associated generation attributes shall be applied to the renewable energy standard only to the extent that the energy produced by the generation unit is actually delivered into NEPOOL for consumption by New England customers. The delivery of the energy from the generation unit into NEPOOL must be generated by:
(1)
A unit-specific bilateral contract for the sale and delivery of such energy into NEPOOL; and
(2)
Confirmation from ISO-New England that the renewable energy was actually settled in the NEPOOL system; and
(3)
Confirmation through the North American Reliability Council tagging system that the import of the energy into NEPOOL actually occurred; or
(4)
Any such other requirements as the commission deems appropriate.
(d)
NE-GIS certificates associated with energy production from off-grid generation and customer-sited generation facilities certified by the commission as eligible renewable energy resources may also be used to demonstrate compliance, provided that the facilities are physically located in Rhode Island.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 199, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 205, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 134, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 147, § 1; P.L. 2021, ch. 334, § 1, effective July 9, 2021.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26 - Renewable Energy Standard › Section 39-26-8. - Interaction with other policies.

§ 39-26-8. Interaction with other policies.
(a)
Rhode Island has established a system-benefits charge (SBC), a portion of which is dedicated to supporting renewable energy, administered in accordance with the provisions of § 39-2-1.2(b) and (c); other states have similar policies. The office of energy resources is hereby directed to collaborate with the division of public utilities and carriers, the trustees of the renewable energy development fund, the distribution company with other interests and parties, as appropriate, in maximizing the combined impact and efficiency of the renewable energy program established by § 39-2-1.2(b) and (c) and the renewable energy standard.
(b)
It is the intent of this chapter that generation attributes and NE-GIS certificates applied towards Rhode Island renewable energy standard compliance may not be used towards compliance with state renewable energy obligations relating to an obligated entity’s load in other states.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 199, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 205, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 236, § 8; P.L. 2006, ch. 237, § 8.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26 - Renewable Energy Standard › Section 39-26-9. - Energy source disclosure requirements.

§ 39-26-9. Energy source disclosure requirements.
(a)
The commission shall, by March 31, 2005, establish and enforce right-to-know regulations requiring any obligated entity to distribute energy source disclosures to all customers of each electrical energy product offered.
(b)
The energy source disclosure shall indicate what sources of energy were used to generate electricity for each electrical energy product, expressed as a percentage of the total amount of energy used towards each electrical energy product. The energy source disclosure shall show the percentages of energy obtained from each of the eligible renewable energy resources, as well as the percentage of energy obtained from nuclear plants, natural gas, oil (which may include any fossil fuel), hydroelectric plants that are not eligible renewable energy resources, coal, and any other sources that the commission may require to be included. The energy source disclosure shall also indicate the emissions created as a result of generating the electricity.
(c)
Energy source disclosures shall be distributed to consumers on a quarterly basis. The obligated entities shall be allowed to recover in rates all incremental costs associated with preparation and distribution of the disclosure label.
(d)
The commission shall allow for or require the use of NE-GIS certificates for the calculation of the energy source disclosure.
(e)
The energy source disclosure presented to any particular end-use customer shall take into consideration and account for voluntary purchases of generation attributes or related products, including purchases made by the end-use customer from providers other than the obligated entity, even if the end-use customer is billed by the obligated entity and also served by that obligated entity’s electrical energy product.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 199, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 205, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26 - Renewable Energy Standard › Section 39-26-10. - Severability and construction.

§ 39-26-10. Severability and construction.
If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable. The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to give effect to the purposes thereof.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 199, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 205, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.1 - Long-Term Contracting Standard for Renewable Energy › Section 39-26.1-1. - Purpose.

§ 39-26.1-1. Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to encourage and facilitate the creation of commercially reasonable long-term contracts between electric distribution companies and developers or sponsors of newly developed renewable energy resources with the goals of stabilizing long-term energy prices, enhancing environmental quality, creating jobs in Rhode Island in the renewable energy sector, and facilitating the financing of renewable energy generation within the jurisdictional boundaries of the state or adjacent state or federal waters or providing direct economic benefit to the state.
History of Section.
P.L. 2009, ch. 51, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 53, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.1 - Long-Term Contracting Standard for Renewable Energy › Section 39-26.1-2. - Definitions.

§ 39-26.1-2. Definitions.
Terms not defined in this chapter shall have the same meaning as contained in chapter 26 of this title. When used in this chapter:
(1)
“Commercially reasonable” means terms and pricing that are reasonably consistent with what an experienced power market analyst would expect to see in transactions involving newly developed renewable energy resources. Commercially reasonable shall include having a credible project operation date, as determined by the commission, but a project need not have completed the requisite permitting process to be considered commercially reasonable. If there is a dispute about whether any terms or pricing are commercially reasonable, the commission shall make the final determination after evidentiary hearings.
(2)
“Commission” means the Rhode Island public utilities commission.
(3)
“Electric distribution company” means a company defined in § 39-1-2, supplying standard-offer service, last-resort service, or any successor service to end-use customers, but not including the Block Island Power Company or the Pascoag Utility District.
(4)
“Eligible renewable energy resource” means resources as defined in § 39-26-5 and any references therein.
(5)
“Long-term contract” means a contract of not less than ten (10) years.
(6)
“Minimum long-term contract capacity” means ninety megawatts (90 MW) of which three megawatts (3 MW) must be solar or photovoltaic projects located in the state of Rhode Island. In determining whether the minimum long-term contract capacity has been reached, the capacity under contract shall be adjusted by the capacity factor of each renewable generator as determined by the ISO-NE rules, as they may change from time to time. By way of example, a contract with a one hundred (100) megawatt facility with a thirty percent (30%) capacity factor would be counted as providing thirty megawatts (30 MW) to the minimum long-term contract capacity requirement.
(7)
“Newly developed renewable energy resources” means electrical generation units that use exclusively an eligible renewable energy resource, and that have neither begun operation, nor have the developers of the units implemented investment or lending agreements necessary to finance the construction of the unit; provided, however, that any projects using eligible renewable energy resources and located within the state of Rhode Island that obtain project financing on or after January 1, 2009, shall qualify as newly developed renewable energy resources for purposes of the first solicitation under this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 2009, ch. 51, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 53, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.1 - Long-Term Contracting Standard for Renewable Energy › Section 39-26.1-4. - Financial remuneration and incentives.

§ 39-26.1-4. Financial remuneration and incentives.
In order to achieve the purposes of this chapter, electric distribution companies shall be entitled to financial remuneration and incentives for long-term contracts for newly developed renewable energy resources, which are over and above the base rate revenue requirement established in its cost of service for distribution ratemaking. Such remuneration and incentives shall compensate the electric distribution company for accepting the financial obligation of the long-term contracts. The financial remuneration and incentives described in this section shall apply only to long-term contracts for newly developed renewable energy resources. For long-term contracts approved pursuant to this chapter before January 1, 2022, the financial remuneration and incentives shall be in the form of annual compensation, equal to two and three quarters percent (2.75%) of the actual annual payments made under the contracts for those projects that are commercially operating, unless determined otherwise by the commission at the time of approval. For long-term contracts approved pursuant to this chapter on or after January 1, 2022, including contracts above the minimum long-term contract capacity, the financial remuneration and incentives shall be in the form of annual compensation up to one percent (1.0%) of the actual annual payments made under the contracts through December 31, 2026, for those projects that are commercially operating. For all long-term contracts approved pursuant to this chapter on or after January 1, 2027, financial remuneration and incentives shall not be applied, unless otherwise granted by the commission. For any calendar year in which the electric distribution company’s actual return on equity exceeds the return on equity allowed by the commission in the electric distribution company’s last general rate case, the commission shall have the authority to adjust any or all remuneration paid to the electric distribution company pursuant to this section in order to assure that such remuneration does not result in or contribute toward the electric distribution company earning above its allowed return for such calendar year.
History of Section.
P.L. 2009, ch. 51, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 53, § 1; P.L. 2022, ch. 372, § 2; P.L. 2022, ch. 373, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.1 - Long-Term Contracting Standard for Renewable Energy › Section 39-26.1-5. - Commission approvals and regulations.

§ 39-26.1-5. Commission approvals and regulations.
(a)
Electric distribution companies shall submit to the commission for review and approval all long-term contracts for newly developed renewable energy resources proposed to be entered into in accordance with this chapter.
(b)
Unless the commission approves otherwise, all energy and capacity purchased by an electric distribution company pursuant to this chapter shall be immediately sold by the electric distribution company into the wholesale spot market; provided, however, that all such sales shall be made through arms-length transactions.
(c)
Unless the commission approves otherwise, any attributes including NE-GIS certificates purchased by an electric distribution company pursuant to this chapter shall be sold through a competitive bidding process in a commercially reasonable manner.
(d)
Notwithstanding any term or provision to the contrary contained in subsection (b) or (c) hereof, subject to commission approval, electric distribution companies shall be permitted, but shall not be required: (1) To use the energy, capacity, and other attributes purchased for resale to customers; and/or (2) To use the NE-GIS certificates for purposes of meeting the obligations set forth in chapter 26 of this title; provided, however, that the commission finds that such sales would not have a detrimental impact on energy markets, on the market for NE-GIS certificates, and is otherwise in the interest of utility customers.
(e)
The commission shall promulgate regulations by April 1, 2010, that shall, as a condition of contract approval, require all approved projects, regardless of their location, to provide other direct economic benefits to Rhode Island, such as job creation, increased property tax revenues, or other similar revenues, deemed substantial by the commission.
(f)
The electric distribution company shall file tariffs with the commission for commission review and approval that net the cost of payments made to projects under the long-term contracts against the proceeds obtained from the sale of energy, capacity, RECs, or other attributes. The difference shall be credited or charged to all distribution customers through a uniform fully reconciling annual factor in distribution rates, subject to review and approval of the commission. The reconciliation shall be designed so that customers are credited with any net savings resulting from the long-term contracts and the electric distribution company recovers all costs incurred under such contracts, as well as, recovery of the financial remuneration and incentives specified in § 39-26.1-4.
History of Section.
P.L. 2009, ch. 51, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 53, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.1 - Long-Term Contracting Standard for Renewable Energy › Section 39-26.1-6. - Interaction with other laws.

§ 39-26.1-6. Interaction with other laws.
The long-term contract standard set forth in this chapter shall be separate and distinct from the renewable energy standard set forth in chapter 26 of this title.
History of Section.
P.L. 2009, ch. 51, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 53, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.2 - Distributed Generation Standard Contracts › Section 39-26.2-1. - Short title.

§ 39-26.2-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known as and may be cited as “The Distributed Generation Standard Contracts Act.”
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 129, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 143, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.2 - Distributed Generation Standard Contracts › Section 39-26.2-2. - Purpose.

§ 39-26.2-2. 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 local siting of renewable energy projects; diversify the state’s energy generation sources; stimulate economic development; improve distribution system resilience and reliability; and reduce distribution system costs.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 129, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 143, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.2 - Distributed Generation Standard Contracts › Section 39-26.2-8. - Standard contract — Reporting.

§ 39-26.2-8. Standard contract — Reporting.
(a)
After each enrollment during a program year, the electric distribution companies shall provide a report to the board, office of energy resources, and the commission of the aggregate amount of project nameplate capacity that was the subject of standard contracts entered into during that enrollment and the prices under each of the standard contracts that were executed.
(b)
Each quarter of a program year, the electric distribution company shall provide an accounting to the office of energy resources, the board, and the commission of the total amount paid to distributed-generation facilities under standard contracts during that quarter, until the forty megawatt (40 MW) target is met.
(c)
Until the forty megawatt (40 MW) target is met, the electric distribution company shall submit preliminary reports to the office of energy resources, the board, and the commission indicating the number of standard contracts and total estimated annual generation, price, class, and any other relevant information for the purposes of better specifying classes, targets, or standard contract prices so as to achieve the purposes set forth in this chapter. These reports shall be submitted no later than sixty (60) days prior to the end of the calendar year.
(d)
The electric distribution company shall in consultation with the office utilize uniform standard forms for evaluating project proposals and shall rank projects according to uniform criteria.
(e)
At the end of each enrollment, the electric distribution company shall, upon request by an applicant, provide the applicant with written feedback on the evaluation of the applicant’s project proposal.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 129, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 143, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 167, § 2; P.L. 2013, ch. 202, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.2 - Distributed Generation Standard Contracts › Section 39-26.2-9. - Interaction with other statutory provisions.

§ 39-26.2-9. Interaction with other statutory provisions.
Except as expressly differentiated in this chapter, standard contracts entered into pursuant to this chapter shall be treated for all purposes as long-term contracts entered into under the provisions of the long-term contracting standards for renewable energy found in chapter 26.1 of this title, and all such provisions shall apply to such contracts.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 129, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 143, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.2 - Distributed Generation Standard Contracts › Section 39-26.2-10. - Establishment of board — Purposes.

§ 39-26.2-10. Establishment of board — Purposes.
(a)
There is hereby authorized, created, and established a board to be known as “The Distributed Generation Standard Contract Board” with the powers and duties set forth in this chapter.
(b)
The purposes of this board are to:
(1)
Evaluate and make recommendations to the commission regarding ceiling prices and annual contracting targets, the make-up of renewable energy classes, and the terms of standard contracts under the provisions of this chapter;
(2)
Provide consistent, comprehensive, informed, and publicly accountable involvement by representatives of groups impacted by, involved in, and knowledgeable regarding the development of distributed-generation projects that are eligible to enter into standard contracts; and
(3)
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the distributed-generation standard contracting program for the purchase of the energy output of distributed renewable-generation projects.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 129, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 143, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.2 - Distributed Generation Standard Contracts › Section 39-26.2-11. - Composition and appointment.

§ 39-26.2-11. Composition and appointment.
(a)
The board shall consist of ten (10) members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate; seven (7) members shall be voting members, and the governor shall give due consideration to appointing persons with knowledge of: (1) Energy regulation and law; (2) Large commercial/industrial users; (3) Small commercial/industrial users; (4) Residential users; (5) Low-income users; (6) Environmental issues pertaining to energy; and (7) Construction of renewable generation. Three (3) members shall be ex officio, nonvoting members, one representing an electric distribution company, one representing the commissioner of the office of energy resources, and one representing the commerce corporation. From the seven (7) voting members, the governor shall appoint one person to be chairperson of the board and one person to be vice chairperson of the board; the commissioner of the office of energy resources shall be the executive secretary and executive director of the board.
(b)
With the exception of the representative of the commissioner of the office of energy resources, and the representative of the commerce corporation, the initial appointment of the other ex officio, nonvoting member shall be for a term of two (2) years, to be thereafter reappointed or replaced by a nonvoting member with terms of two (2) years. Of the initial appointments of voting members, three (3) voting members shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years, to be thereafter reappointed or replaced by three (3) voting members with a term of two (2) years, and four (4) voting members shall be appointed for a term of one year, to be thereafter reappointed or replaced for each of the following three (3) years by four (4) voting members with a term of one year.
(c)
A simple majority of the total number of voting members shall constitute a quorum.
(d)
A vacancy other than by expiration shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment but only for the unexpired portion of the term. The appointing authority shall have the power to remove its appointee only for just cause.
(e)
The members of the board shall not be compensated for their service but shall be reimbursed for their actual expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the executive secretary/executive director.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 129, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 143, § 1; P.L. 2020, ch. 79, art. 1, § 18.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.2 - Distributed Generation Standard Contracts › Section 39-26.2-12. - Powers and duties.

§ 39-26.2-12. Powers and duties.
(a)
The board shall have the power to:
(1)
Develop and recommend to the public utilities commission, for review and approval, ceiling prices for standard contracts under the distributed-generation standard contracts;
(2)
Develop and recommend to the commission adjustments up or down to the annual target for standard contracts for the following program year;
(3)
Monitor and evaluate performance under the distributed-generation standard contracts act, including an assessment of ratepayer impact and the project selection process, to be submitted annually in a report to the governor and the general assembly as provided in subsection (b);
(4)
Participate in proceedings of the public utilities commission that pertain to the purposes of the board;
(5)
In order to provide funding for the purposes of engaging consultants and professional services as necessary and appropriate for the board to fulfill its duties and purposes, an allocation of no less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) from unused portions of Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (“RGGI”) auction proceeds not dedicated to efficiency measures but to overhead expenses shall be transmitted from the office of energy resources to the board.
(b)
On January 15 of each year, the office of energy resources shall submit to the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives, an annual jobs, economic impact, and environmental impact study on the distributed-generation standard contracts program. The study shall include, but not be limited to, environmental benefits, including carbon emission reductions from the installations; economic impacts including, but not limited to, direct and indirect jobs created; system reliability improvements; property and income tax benefits; and ratepayer impacts including, but not limited to, hedges against general inflation and fuel price volatility, short-term price impacts, and wholesale price suppression.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 129, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 143, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 167, § 2; P.L. 2013, ch. 202, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.2 - Distributed Generation Standard Contracts › Section 39-26.2-13. - Liberal construction of chapter required.

§ 39-26.2-13. Liberal construction of chapter required.
This chapter shall be construed liberally in aid of its declared purposes.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 129, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 143, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.2 - Distributed Generation Standard Contracts › Section 39-26.2-14. - Severability.

§ 39-26.2-14. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such 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. 129, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 143, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 39 - Public Utilities and Carriers › Chapter 39-26.3 - Distributed Generation Interconnection › Section 39-26.3-1. - Policy objective.

§ 39-26.3-1. Policy objective.
The general assembly hereby finds and declares that the expeditious completion of the application process for renewable distributed generation is in the public interest. For this reason, certain standards and other provisions for the processing of applications are hereby set forth to assure that the application process assists in the development of renewable generation resources in a timely manner.
History of Section.
P.L. 2011, ch. 140, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 144, § 1.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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 and siting 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; P.L. 2023, ch. 300, § 1, effective June 24, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 301, § 1, effective June 24, 2023.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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.
2023 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 enable the state to meet its climate and resilience goals, including those established in the act on climate. This includes the goals to facilitate and promote installation of grid-connected generation of renewable energy; support and encourage development of distributed renewable energy generation systems while protecting important core forest areas essential to climate resilience and complying with Rhode Island’s climate change mandates; 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 and in preferred areas that have already been disturbed by industry or other uses; diversify the energy-generation sources within the load zone of the electric distribution company; stimulate economic development; and improve distribution-system resilience and reliability with the load zone of the electric distribution company.
History of Section.
P.L. 2014, ch. 200, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 216, § 1; P.L. 2023, ch. 300, § 2, effective June 24, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 301, § 2, effective June 24, 2023.
2023 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.