AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- MORATORIUM ON NET METERING, LONG-TERM CONTRACTS AND SUBSIDIES FOR HEAT PUMPS (Places a moratorium on net metering contracts, subsidies for heat pumps and long-term contracts for the purchasing of solar or wind energy.)

S2797

2026 -- S 2797
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LC005493
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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 -- MORATORIUM ON NET
METERING, LONG-TERM CONTRACTS AND SUBSIDIES FOR HEAT PUMPS

Introduced By:
Senators de la Cruz, Rogers, and Raptakis

Date Introduced:
March 04, 2026

Referred To:
Senate Environment & Agriculture
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. 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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MORATORIUM ON NET METERING, LONG-TERM CONTRACTS AND SUBSIDIES FOR
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HEAT PUMPS
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39-36-1. Definitions.

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As used in this chapter the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
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(1) “Heat pump” means any device that transfers heat using mechanical energy;
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(2) “Long-term contract” means any contract in excess of five (5) years;
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(3) “Net metering” means using electrical energy generated by an eligible net-metering
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system for the purpose of self-supplying electrical energy and power at the eligible net-metering
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system site;
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(4) “Solar energy” means a form of renewable energy that harnesses the power of the sun
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to generate electricity;
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(5) “Wind energy” means a form of renewable energy that harnesses the power of the wind
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to generate electricity.
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39-36-2. Moratorium related to net metering, long-term contracts and subsidies.

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(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws to the contrary including, but

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not limited to, chapter 26.4 of title 39, any right to renew or enter into any net metering contracts
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that are regulated by state law and no customer sited and/or grid-connected power generated energy
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contracts shall be permitted under any provision of the general laws.
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(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws to the contrary, including, but
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not limited to the provisions of chapter 26.1 of title 39, the State of Rhode Island is hereby
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prohibited from entering into any long-term contracts for the purchasing of solar or wind energy
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with any energy provider.
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(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws to the contrary, including, but
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not limited to, the provisions of chapter 27 of title 39, and notwithstanding any program utilized by
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the office of energy resources for the State of Rhode Island, no state funds shall be used to subsidize
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the purchase or installation of heat pumps provided by any utility or governmental agency.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.
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LC005493
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- MORATORIUM ON NET
METERING, LONG-TERM CONTRACTS AND SUBSIDIES FOR HEAT PUMPS
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This act would place a moratorium on net metering contracts, subsidies for heat pumps and
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long-term contracts for the purchasing of solar or wind energy.
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This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.
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LC005493
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LC005493 - Page 3 of 3