House approves Phillips bill that would create a solar siting advisory task force

STATE HOUSE — The House of Representatives today passed legislation introduced by Rep. Robert D. Phillips (D-Dist. 51) that would create a solar siting advisory task force.

Under the legislation, (2025-H 5822) the panel would provide recommendations, advice and guidance to help expedite and provide technical assistance with regard to the development of solar energy systems on property owned by the state, including the parking areas of public and municipal properties and areas of Interstate rights of way.

“Facilitating the installation of renewable energy infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions should be one of our top priorities,” said Representative Phillips, who chaired a legislative commission to study the feasibility of solar siting projects. “Interstate rights of way and other state-owned properties that are ill-suited for any other type of development could be the perfect places to help us meet our climate resiliency goals. This task force is a good first step toward helping us meet those goals.”

The nine-member task force would include the director of the Department of Transportation or designee, the chairperson of the State Properties Committee or designee, the chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission or designee, the director of the Department of Environmental Management or designee, the commissioner of the Office of Energy Resources or designee, the secretary of commerce or designee, one representative of an electric distribution company that does business in Rhode Island to be appointed by the governor; and two members of the public who have experience with the assembly and installation of solar energy systems to be appointed by the governor.

The task force would provide recommendations to the appropriate state agencies regarding the proposed use of an eligible property for the installation of a solar energy system and make any such suggestions as the task force deems necessary to advance the successful installation of the solar energy system at the eligible property.

The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.