2012 -- H 7261

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LC00815

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND

PETROLEUM SAVINGS AND INDEPENDENCE ADVISORY COMMISSION

     Introduced By: Representatives Ruggiero, Chippendale, Walsh, Bennett, and Handy

     Date Introduced: January 26, 2012

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

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GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

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     CHAPTER 140.4

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THE RHODE ISLAND PETROLEUM SAVINGS AND INDEPENDENCE ADVISORY

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COMMISSION

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     42-140.4-1. Establishment of commission -- Purposes. – (a) There is hereby authorized,

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created and established an advisory commission to be known as “The Rhode Island petroleum

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savings and independence advisory commission” with the powers and duties set forth in this

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chapter.

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     (b) The purposes of this commission are to:

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     (1) To reduce Rhode Island’s reliance on petroleum-based fuels;

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     (2) To make recommendations to the governor, general assembly, and public utilities

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commission on how to reduce petroleum-based fuel consumption in Rhode Island;

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     (3) To provide informed stakeholder input into decisions regarding fossil fuels in the state

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and to inform the public and elected and appointed state officials of such opportunities, decisions,

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and implementation;

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     (4) To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of state policies and programs to reduce

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petroleum consumption; and

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     (5) To act on matters related to reducing petroleum consumption from the heating and

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transportation sectors in the state including, but not limited to, the creation of a petroleum savings

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and independence plan (“Plan”) that includes at least the following:

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     (i) A report, drawing on existing data and studies rather than new analyses, on petroleum

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consumption in Rhode Island and the impact of petroleum dependence on the state. The report

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must consider:

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     (A) Future petroleum costs to the drivers, homeowners, industries, and businesses of

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Rhode Island;

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     (B) Environmental, public health, and national security consequences of Rhode Island’s

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petroleum dependence;

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     (C) Local economic development opportunities, including job creation potential, of

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improving energy efficiency and moving to clean, renewable, in-state energy sources;

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     (D) Proposed targets for reducing Rhode Island’s total petroleum consumption that

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equals the maximum economically achievable savings. The targets may not provide less than a

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thirty percent (30%) overall reduction in petroleum consumption from 2007 levels by 2030 and a

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fifty percent (50%) overall reduction from 2007 levels by 2050; and

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     (E) Recommendations of the near-term and long-range strategies to achieve significant

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reductions in petroleum consumption to the governor, speaker of the house, president of the

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senate, and public utilities commission. The recommendations shall include, but not be limited to

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the following:

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     (I) Promoting and incentivizing transportation alternatives to personal vehicle use,

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including expanding, investing in, and ensuring sustainable funding for public transportation

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including rail options, and offering incentives for commuters to use public transportation where

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available;

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     (II) Promoting and incentivizing other practices to reduce fuel use in transportation,

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including fuel efficient vehicles and carpooling, and establishing rebates or other consumer

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incentives for retiring older, inefficient vehicles;

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     (III) The rapid deployment of electric vehicles, through a combination of policies that

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include comprehensive planning with utilities, investments in electric vehicle infrastructure, and

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consumer tax incentives;

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     (IV) The implementation of “clean fuels” standards requiring transportation fuels above a

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certain emissions target to purchase offsets from fuel sources that produce lower carbon

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emissions;

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     (V) Coordinating land use and transportation planning where sensible to pursue

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“complete streets” policies that create walkable and bikeable communities with access to public

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transit options, and to encourage growth in areas accessible by walking, biking, and public

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transportation;

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     (VI) Where possible, measures to reduce fuel use in aviation;

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     (VII) Diversifying energy sources for heating by expanding renewable sources;

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     (VIII) Creating programs to deliver home and commercial weatherization and efficiency

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improvements for households using oil for heat; and

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     (IX) Adopting other strategies that can help enable Rhode Island to achieve the oil

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reduction targets.

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     (c) The commission shall report to the general assembly by February 2013 with the plan,

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including recommendations for specific legislative and administrative actions. By February 2014,

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and by February every two (2) years thereafter, the advisory commission shall evaluate the state’s

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progress toward meeting the petroleum-reduction goals and update the plan to make additional

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recommendations as necessary to ensure that the state meet the oil savings targets.

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     42-140.4-2. Composition of the commission. – (a) The commission shall consist of six

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(6) voting members representing the following entities and appointed by that entity:

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     (1) The department of environmental management;

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     (2) The office of energy resources;

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     (3) The department of transportation;

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     (4) The energy efficiency & resource management council;

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     (5) The renewable energy coordinating board; and

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     (6) The Rhode Island public transit authority;

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     (7) In addition, four (4) voting members shall be nominated and voted on by the

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commission’s voting members, as set forth above, with expertise in:

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     (8) Environmental issues;

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     (9) Deliverable fuels;

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     (10) Public transportation, transit-oriented development, and/or transportation policy; and

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     (11) Residential and low-income energy provision.

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     (b) The commission shall also consist of six (6) advisory, non-voting members,

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representing the following entities and appointed by that entity:

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     (1) The University of Rhode Island energy center;

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     (2) The University of Rhode Island transportation center; and

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     (3) Four (4) members of the Rhode Island general assembly:

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     (i) One representative from each party to be appointed by the speaker of the house;

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     (ii) One senator from each party to be appointed by the president of the senate.

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     (c) Members of the commission, with the exception of general assembly members, shall

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be appointed for a term of five (5) years and may be reappointed. General assembly members

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shall be appointed to two (2) year terms and may be reappointed.

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     42-140.4-3. Powers and duties of the commission. – (a) The board shall have the

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following powers and duties:

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     (1) Develop near-term and long-range strategic plans with respect to strategies to reduce

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petroleum consumption from the home heating and transportation sectors in Rhode Island;

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     (2) Identify, promote. and recommend policies to further reduce petroleum consumption

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in the state including, but not limited to, those issues set forth in this chapter; and

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     (3) Consider such other matters as it may deem appropriate to the fulfillment of its

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purposes, and advise the governor, the general assembly, other parties, and the public with regard

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to matters pertaining to its purposes and duties, which advice may include findings and

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recommendations.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC00815

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND

PETROLEUM SAVINGS AND INDEPENDENCE ADVISORY COMMISSION

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     This act would establish the Rhode Island petroleum savings and independence advisory

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commission.

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     The act would the effect upon passage.

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LC00815

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