AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (Requires the PUC to produce report on comprehensive study by April 30, 2027.)

H7610

2026 -- H 7610
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LC005079
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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 -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Introduced By:
Representatives Lima, Costantino, J. Brien, Casey, Noret, Hopkins,
Shanley, and O'Brien

Date Introduced:
February 11, 2026

Referred To:
House Corporations
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 39-1 of the General Laws entitled "Public Utilities Commission" is
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hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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39-1-64. Comprehensive study.
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(a) The public utilities commission (PUC), in conjunction with the division of public
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utilities and carriers (DPUC), shall produce a comprehensive study for the general assembly by
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April 30, 2027, to be transmitted to the governor, speaker of the house and the senate president.
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(b) There shall be an appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for the
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hiring of consultants and experts to help research the study required in subsection (a) of this section.
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(c)(1) The purpose of this study is to compile a holistic study with the sole intent of
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ascertaining the best ways to lower all energy rates for the consumer including electric and gas.
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Additionally, the study shall include an investigation of energy rates in other states and see what
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they are doing, or not doing, to have energy rates lower than what rate payers are paying in Rhode
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Island. Further, the study shall require the PUC and the DPUC to perform a comprehensive review
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of all energy programs in Rhode Island that add to the cost of energy, and what programs, if
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terminated, would reduce energy rates. The study shall be comprehensive and provide a detailed
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review of Rhode Island energy policies and how we can learn from programs in other states.
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(2) The PUC and the DPUC director shall formulate a research plan to conduct the study
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and hire consultants to accomplish the study mission to find the best way to lower Rhode Island
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energy costs by eliminating policies that add to the energy rates for taxpayers and any other Rhode

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Island practices that are not transparent as to the added costs that increase energy bills. The PUC
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shall make recommendations that any legislation that would affect energy costs have an energy
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note similar to the financial fiscal notes that clearly and transparently show the positive or negative
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effect the legislation will have on energy costs. Finally, this study shall empower the PUC and
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DPUC to study any other areas pertinent to the goal of lowering rate payer energy costs.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
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This act would require the public utility commission (PUC) in conjunction with the division
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of public utilities and carriers (DPUC) to produce a comprehensive study for the general assembly
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by April 30, 2027, to be transmitted to the governor, speaker of the house and the senate president.
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The study would require the PUC and the DPUC to review all energy programs, compare them
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with other states and formulate a plan to lower energy costs for consumers in this state.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005079
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LC005079 - Page 3 of 3