The bill amends Section 39-2-1.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 39-2, introducing a new title, "Utility base rate — Advertising, demand-side management, and renewables." It prohibits public utilities from including advertising expenses that promote their products or services in their base rates, while allowing for the inclusion of informational or educational advertising that promotes public safety or conservation. The public utilities commission is tasked with creating rules for the public disclosure of all advertising expenses. Additionally, starting January 1, 2008, electric distribution companies are required to implement a charge per kilowatt-hour to fund demand-side management programs and renewable energy initiatives, with specific provisions for gas distribution companies as well.

Furthermore, the bill allocates funds for expert consultants and administrative costs related to energy efficiency and resource management, requiring the commission to distribute funds to the office of energy resources for various energy-related programs. It establishes a clean energy fund within the Rhode Island infrastructure bank to support projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting clean technologies. The infrastructure bank is authorized to manage these funds, provide financial assistance, and engage in various financial activities, including creating loan loss reserve funds. The bill also expands eligibility for grants from the infrastructure bank to include clean transportation, clean heating, and energy storage projects, taking effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
856: 39-2-1.2, 46-12.2-4.3