2016 -- S 2677

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LC004432

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND ENERGY

RESOURCES ACT

     Introduced By: Senators Sosnowski, Gallo, Goldin, Conley, and Archambault

     Date Introduced: March 08, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-140 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Energy

Resources Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections:

     42-140-11. Development of alternative fuel markets. – No later than January 31, 2017,

the office of energy resources shall issue findings and recommendations to the governor and the

general assembly to promote the development of markets for alternative thermal and

transportation fuel, including any statutory and/or regulatory changes. In order to carry out the

requirements of this section, the office of energy resources shall establish a task force and appoint

members thereto representing a balance of interests, including, but not limited to, thermal and

transportation fuel sectors, and the environmental and business communities. The Rhode Island

commerce corporation shall transfer to the office up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) from the

renewable energy development fund established in §39-26-7 for the purpose of hiring the services

of qualified consultants to carry out the requirements of this section.

     42-140-12. Least cost procurement for delivered fuels. – No later than January 31,

2017, the office of energy resources shall issue findings and recommendations to the governor

and the general assembly on creating a least cost procurement program for delivered fuels,

including any statutory and/or regulatory changes. In order to carry out the requirements of this

section, the office of energy resources shall establish a task force and appoint members thereto

representing a balance of interests, including, but not limited to, delivered fuel sectors, and

environmental and business communities. Up to seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) shall be

transferred from the demand side management fund established by §39-2-1.2 to the office for the

purpose of hiring qualified consultants to carry out the requirements of the section.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RHODE ISLAND ENERGY

RESOURCES ACT

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     This act would require the office of energy resources to assemble task forces to report on

the development of alternative fuel markets and least cost procurement for delivered fuels. The

task force would make findings and recommendations to the governor including any statutory

and/or regulatory change. The act also would provide for funding.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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