The bill amends Section 39-2-1.2 of the General Laws concerning the duties of utilities and carriers, specifically addressing utility base rates, advertising, demand-side management, and renewable energy programs. It removes the requirement for the public utilities commission to allocate five million dollars annually to the Rhode Island infrastructure bank for energy efficiency programs. The bill also prohibits public utilities from including advertising expenses in their base rates, except for educational or safety-related advertising. Additionally, it establishes a framework for electric and gas distribution companies to fund demand-side management programs through specific charges per kilowatt-hour and deca therm delivered. The act introduces provisions for the Rhode Island office of energy resources to issue requests for proposals for the administration of statewide energy efficiency programs, allowing for the potential use of third-party administrators to enhance program effectiveness. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
894: 39-2-1.2