AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- SOLAR SITING ADVISORY TASKFORCE (Creates a taskforce to provide recommendations, advice and guidance to help expedite and provide technical assistance with regard to the development of solar energy systems on property owned by the state.)

H7178

2026 -- H 7178
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LC003928
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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 -- SOLAR SITING ADVISORY
TASKFORCE

Introduced By:
Representatives Phillips, J. Brien, Chippendale, Nardone, Place, Hull, and
Shanley

Date Introduced:
January 21, 2026

Referred To:
House Corporations
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. The general assembly finds that:
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(1) Facilitating and promoting installation of renewable energy infrastructure to reduce
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carbon emissions that contribute to climate change requires consideration of siting impacts on the
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environment.
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(2) Installing renewable energy infrastructure on areas ill-suited for diverse development
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types, which includes interstate rights of way and state-owned properties such as the parking areas
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and rooftops of public, municipal, or state-owned buildings, would assist the state to meet its
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climate resiliency goals, including those established in chapter 6.2 of title 42 ("act on climate"),
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while minimizing environmental impact.
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(3) Placing solar energy systems on interstate rights of way would ensure that solar energy
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systems are not surrounded by sunlight blocking structures, and ensure that engineers will have
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clear access for the purposes of construction, interconnection, repair, and maintenance.
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(4) The use of interstate rights of way to accommodate solar energy systems is permissible
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provided such developments comply with federal laws, federal regulations, state law, and the state
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utility accommodation policy.
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(5) By using interstate rights of way, Rhode Island can reduce the number of trees required
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to be removed to support the installation of solar energy systems, and promote the preservation of
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trees.

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(6) The department of transportation has identified at least two hundred (200) acres at
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several sites on interstate rights of way that are potential viable locations for solar energy systems.
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(7) The department of environmental management has developed guidelines for the
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installation of solar energy systems on sites within their jurisdiction, and offers pre-application
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meetings with applicants to coordinate projects that involve multiple permits, in order to decrease
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the time necessary to process the proposal.
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(8) Challenges to successful implementation of solar energy systems includes the cost and
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process necessary to interconnect solar energy systems to the electrical grid.
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(9) The state may expedite solar energy system installations by having state agencies and
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key stakeholders with jurisdiction and/or subject matter expertise provide technical assistance and
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professional advice.
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SECTION 2. Title 39 of the General Laws entitled "PUBLIC UTILITIES AND
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CARRIERS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 36
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SOLAR SITING ADVISORY TASKFORCE
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39-36-1. Definitions.

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As used in this chapter:
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(1) “Eligible property” means a property owned by the state including: the parking areas
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and rooftops of a public, municipal, or state-owned building; an interstate right of way; or such
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other location as the taskforce may determine appropriate and which are subject to the jurisdiction
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of the state.
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(2) “Interstate right of way” means the undeveloped area on highway medians, off ramps,
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and interchanges.
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(3) “Power purchase agreement” means an agreement:
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(i) Between a customer and a solar retailer;
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(ii) For the customer’s purchase of electricity generated by a residential solar energy system
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owned by the solar retailer; and
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(iii) That provides for the customer to make payments over a term of at least five (5) years.
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(4) “Solar energy system” means a system or configuration of solar energy devices that
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collects and uses solar energy to generate electricity.
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39-36-2. Solar siting advisory taskforce.

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(a) There is hereby established a solar siting advisory taskforce (the “taskforce”). The
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taskforce shall consist of nine (9) members as follows:
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(1) The director of the department of transportation, or designee;

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(2) The chairperson of the state properties committee, or designee;
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(3) The chairperson of the public utilities commission, or designee;
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(4) The director of the department of environmental management, or designee;
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(5) The commissioner of the office of energy resources, or designee;
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(6) The secretary of commerce, or designee;
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(7) One representative of an electric distribution company that does business in Rhode
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Island to be appointed by the governor; and
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(8) Two (2) members of the public who shall have experience with the assembly and
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installation of solar energy systems to be appointed by the governor.
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(b) The purpose of this taskforce shall be to provide recommendations, advice and guidance
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to help expedite and facilitate the development of solar energy systems on eligible property.
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(c) In furtherance of the purposes of the taskforce stated in subsection (b) of this section,
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the taskforce shall, consistent with the provisions of chapter 2 of title 37 ("state purchases"), provide
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recommendations to the appropriate state agencies regarding the proposed use of an eligible
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property for the installation of a solar energy system and make any such suggestions as the taskforce
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deems necessary to advance the successful installation of the solar energy system at the eligible
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property.
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39-36-3. Annual Report.

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The taskforce shall submit an annual report on the taskforce’s activities for the previous
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calendar year, on or before September 8, 2026, and annually thereafter, to the governor, the speaker
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of the house, and the president of the senate. This report shall include a cost-benefit analysis of the
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implementation of solar energy systems on eligible properties as set forth in this chapter.
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39-36-4. Sunset.

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The provisions of this chapter shall expire and sunset on September 8, 2029.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage and shall sunset on September 8, 2029.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- SOLAR SITING ADVISORY
TASKFORCE
***
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This act would create a taskforce to provide recommendations, advice and guidance to help
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expedite and provide technical assistance with regard to the development of solar energy systems
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on property owned by the state, including the parking areas of public and municipal properties and
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areas of interstate rights of way.
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This act would take effect upon passage and would sunset on September 8, 2029.
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