General Assembly OKs legislation on net metering for Block Island, Pascoag utility districts

STATE HOUSE — The General Assembly today passed legislation introduced by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown, New Shoreham) and House Minority Leader Blake A. Filippi (R-Dist. 36, New Shoreham, Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly) that would allow for increases in net metering peak for utility districts in New Shoreham and Burrillville.

Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. The bill (2021-S 0022, 2021-H 5503) would amend the maximum peak load of allowable capacity for the net metering systems in the Block Island Utility District and the Pascoag Utility District to not exceed a maximum peak load set by the utility district.

“Currently state law restricts net metering for private solar and wind installations,” said Senator Sosnowski. “The Block Island Utility District Board of Commissioners have been developing a new policy for further installations. In order for that to happen, we need to lift the cap on net metering beyond the allowed percentage.”

The bill would change the maximum aggregate amount of net metering from 3% to a percentage set by the utility district based on its operational characteristics, subject to approval of the Public Utilities Commission.

“On Block Island, we’re an environmentally conscious community, and we’ve already used our 3% capacity,” said Leader Filippi. “There are hundreds of homeowners that want to purchase solar voltaic cells and put them on their roofs and produce clean renewable energy. This bill is necessary for Block Islanders to increase their solar capacity.”

The measure now moves to the governor’s office.

-30-

For an electronic version of this and all press releases published by the Legislative Press and Public Information Bureau, please visit our Web site at www.rilegislature.gov/pressrelease.