2017 -- S 0981

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LC002879

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO ISSUE A

REPORT INDICATING HOW UTILITIES SHOULD ENCOURAGE THE DEPLOYMENT OF

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

     Introduced By: Senators Miller, Felag, Conley, and Sosnowski

     Date Introduced: June 21, 2017

     Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar

     WHEREAS, The Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014 established goals for the reduction

of statewide greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 10 percent in 2020, 45 percent in

2035, and 80 percent in 2050; and

     WHEREAS, According to the recent Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council's

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan (Plan), Rhode Island is on track to meet the Resilient

RI target for the year 2020 but not for 2035 or 2050; and

     WHEREAS, The Plan finds that the transportation sector is the largest greenhouse gas

(GHG) contributor in Rhode Island and achieving the 2050 target would likely require 76 percent

of on-road vehicle miles traveled to be electrified; and

     WHEREAS, The Plan details how electric vehicles produce a GHG reduction benefit due

to the inherent efficiency of the motor and drivetrain as well as the relatively cleaner emissions

profile. This GHG reduction benefit increases over time as the electricity supply shifts toward

higher clean energy penetration; and

     WHEREAS, Plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) have tremendous potential to reduce

residents' and businesses' expenditures on imported gasoline and diesel in addition to advancing

the state's clean energy and climate goals. There is an urgent need for the State of Rhode Island to

provide clear guidance for PEV owners, utilities, regulators, third-party providers, and other

stakeholders, and to facilitate and prepare for large-scale PEV adoption in a manner that provides

consumer and environmental benefits to the maximum extent possible; and

     WHEREAS, The Transportation & Climate Initiative, a regional collaboration of 12

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic jurisdictions that seeks to develop the clean energy economy and

reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, cites a Pike Research survey

highlighting that the Providence-New Bedford-Fall River metropolitan area is likely to have high

penetration rates or absolute sales of electric vehicles relative to the national average; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's electric vehicle charging infrastructure now includes over 75

Level 2 (240 volt) electric vehicle supply stations; and

     WHEREAS, The United States Department of Transportation recently designated the

Interstate 95 highway as an alternative fuel corridor and this designation is expected to both

accelerate private investment in electric vehicle infrastructure and bring additional federal support

to the region in the future; and

     WHEREAS, Increasing the use of electricity for transportation through the large-scale

adoption of PEVs represents a significant opportunity to further important state policy goals to

reduce transportation expenditure on imported gasoline and diesel, boost economic activity by

keeping more of our energy dollars in state, diversify our transportation fuel networks, reduce

greenhouse gas pollution, modernize the electric grid, and reduce criteria air pollutants; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC) is well suited to

consider and make recommendations regarding the structural reforms necessary to ensure that

PEVs are integrated into the electric system in a manner that enhances distribution system

reliability, minimizes costs, and protects consumers; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby respectfully requests that the RIPUC submit a report to the Governor, Senate President,

and Speaker of the House on or before November 30, 2017, to develop a regulatory framework to

establish principles and guidance for standards that must be met by a utility seeking to invest

ratepayer funds in electric vehicle infrastructure; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission.

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LC002879

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