S2535 • 2026

SENATE RESOLUTION FORMALLY REQUESTING THAT THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO CONSIDER THE CREATION AND ADOPTION OF A SEASONAL HEAT PUMP RATE AS PART OF DOCKET 25-45-GE

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: DiMario, Britto, Euer, Lauria, Zurier, Mack, DiPalma, Vargas, Gu, Bissaillon
Last action: 2026-04-15
Official status: Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

SENATE RESOLUTION FORMALLY REQUESTING THAT THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO CONSIDER THE CREATION AND ADOPTION OF A SEASONAL HEAT PUMP RATE AS PART OF DOCKET 25-45-GE

What This Bill Does

SENATE RESOLUTION FORMALLY REQUESTING THAT THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO CONSIDER THE CREATION AND ADOPTION OF A SEASONAL HEAT PUMP RATE AS PART OF DOCKET 25-45-GE

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

2026-04-15 Committee
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
2026-04-10 Rhode Island General Assembly
Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (04/15/2026)
2026-02-13 Rhode Island General Assembly
Introduced, referred to Senate Environment and Agriculture

Official Summary Text

SENATE RESOLUTION FORMALLY REQUESTING THAT THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO CONSIDER THE CREATION AND ADOPTION OF A SEASONAL HEAT PUMP RATE AS PART OF DOCKET 25-45-GE

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S2535

2026 -- S 2535
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LC004472
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
FORMALLY REQUESTING THAT THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC UTILITIES
COMMISSION TO CONSIDER THE CREATION AND ADOPTION OF A SEASONAL
HEAT PUMP RATE AS PART OF DOCKET 25-45-GE

Introduced By:
Senators DiMario, Britto, Euer, Lauria, Zurier, Mack, DiPalma, Vargas,
Gu, and Bissaillon

Date Introduced:
February 13, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Environment & Agriculture
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WHEREAS, There exists the need for specific electric heat pump rate designs that
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encourage clean heating and lower prices, similar to actions currently taken in other states; and
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WHEREAS, The current rate structure overcharges heat pump owners for their usage of
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the electric distribution grid; and
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WHEREAS, In addition, seasonal heat pump rates are designed to lower electricity costs
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for consumers by offering reduced distribution charges during colder months; and
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WHEREAS, Massachusetts has already implemented seasonal heat pump rates, setting a
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precedent and a successful procedure for consumer notification and implementation; and
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WHEREAS, The Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council, in its 2025 Climate
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Action Strategy, indicates that Rhode Island needs to increase adoption of electric heating in
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order for the state to meet its 2030, 2040 and 2050 climate goals; and
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island Energy has opened Docket 25-45-GE at the Public Utilities
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Commission to adjust distribution rates for all Rhode Island customers; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby formally requests that
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Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission consider the creation and adoption of a seasonal heat
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pump rate as part of Docket 25-45-GE; and be it further

1
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Chairman Ronald T. Gerwatowski, the Rhode
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Island Public Utilities Commission, and President Greg Cornett, Rhode Island Energy.
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LC004472
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