2022 -- H 8375

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LC006188

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND MAKE

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE PLACEMENT OF SOLAR PANELS ON INTER-STATE

HIGHWAYS

     Introduced By: Representatives Phillips, Corvese, Blazejewski, and Fogarty

     Date Introduced: June 24, 2022

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Solar energy utilization in highway infrastructure around the country has

been increasing in recent years due in part to several advantages for this type of energy

development including the use of existing electrical infrastructure already aligned with major

highways, secured boundaries, and easy maintenance access; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special legislative commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of seven (7) members: three (3) of whom shall be members of the House of

Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; one of whom shall be the Director

of the Department of Transportation, or designee; one of whom shall be the Director of the

Department of Environmental Management, or designee; one of whom shall be the Chairperson

of the Public Utilities Commission, or designee; and one of whom shall be the Director of the

Office of Energy Resources, or designee.

     In lieu of any appointment of a member of the legislature to a legislative study

commission created by a General Assembly resolution, the appointing authority may appoint a

member of the general public to serve in lieu of a legislator; provided that, the majority leader or

the minority leader of the political party which is entitled to the appointment consent to the

member of the general public.

     The purpose of said commission shall be to study and provide recommendations for the

most appropriate placement of solar panels on median strips on interstate highways and route

146, carports at state parking lots, and such other locations as the commission determines. The

commission shall seek placements which would provide and generate maximum returns on the

investment as well as producing substantial amounts of energy.

     Forthwith upon passage of this resolution, the members of the commission shall meet at

the call of the Speaker of the House and organize and shall select, from among the legislators, a

chairperson.

     Vacancies in said commission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment.

     The membership of said commission shall receive no compensation for their services.

     All departments and agencies of the state shall furnish such advice and information,

documentary and otherwise, to said commission and its agents as is deemed necessary or

desirable by the commission to facilitate the purposes of this resolution.

     The Speaker of the House is hereby authorized and directed to provide suitable quarters

for said commission; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

House of Representatives on or before April 11, 2023, and said commission shall expire on July

11, 2023.

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LC006188

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