FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: For additional information
March 17, 2021 contact: Greg Paré
Phone: (401) 276-5558
News Release
On the heels of Senate passing Act On Climate, Ruggerio introduces bill to require 100 percent of electricity be generated from renewable energy sources
STATE HOUSE, Providence – With Senate passage yesterday of the landmark Act on Climate, which sets mandatory and enforceable greenhouse gas emissions targets, President of the Senate Dominick J. Ruggerio today will introduce legislation to dramatically accelerate the percentage of electricity produced from renewable sources.
The legislation would provide that 100 percent of electricity sold in Rhode Island be generated from renewable sources by 2030. It would codify a similar executive order from former Governor Gina Raimondo in January of 2020.
“Our coastal state is already seeing the impacts of climate change. It is imperative that, as a state, nation, and global community, we transition to renewable energy now, not later. The Rhode Island Senate has long been committed to renewable energy, and our Ocean State has been a leader in renewable energy innovation, including as home to the nation’s first offshore wind farm. Just as Samuel Slater harnessed the power of the Blackstone River to launch the American Industrial Revolution, Rhode Island can once again use renewable power to lead the way as we address the urgent climate change crisis.”
Instead of the current schedule of annual 1.5 percentage point increases in electricity required to be generated from renewable sources through 2035, The Renewable Energy Standard Act would increase renewable energy targets by an additional 4 percent in 2022, 9.5 percent each year from 2023 through 2029, and an additional 10.5 percent in 2030 to achieve the 100 percent.
The legislation (2021-S 0629), which has been referred to the Commerce Committee, is cosponsored by Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown), Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Providence), Senate Majority Leader Michael J. McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ryan W. Pearson (D-Dist. 19, Cumberland, Lincoln), Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 29, Cranston, Providence), Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna M. Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick) and Senate Rules, Government Ethics and Oversight Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton).
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