This bill amends Section 39-2-1.2 of the General Laws to prohibit public utilities from including expenses for advertising in their base rate, unless the advertising is for educational purposes related to promoting public safety and conservation. The bill also requires electric distribution companies to include a charge per kilowatt-hour delivered to fund demand-side management programs and renewable energy programs. The Rhode Island commerce corporation will administer the renewable energy programs and the distribution company will hold and disburse the funds as directed by the commerce corporation. Gas distribution companies are also required to include a charge per therm delivered to fund demand-side management programs, including energy efficiency, conservation, combined heat and power systems, and weatherization services for low-income households. The bill allows for the coordinated and/or integrated administration of electric and gas demand-side management programs.

This bill also establishes a clean energy fund within the Rhode Island infrastructure bank for the purpose of providing technical, administrative, and financial assistance for projects related to greenhouse gas reduction or elimination, zero-emission technology, clean transportation, clean heating, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and demand-side management. The infrastructure bank is authorized to receive and disburse funds for the purpose of the fund, make binding commitments to provide financial assistance, levy administrative fees, engage third-party vendors, and establish accounts within the fund. The funds held by the infrastructure bank for the account of the fund can be applied to various purposes, including providing financial assistance for approved projects, funding reserves for bonds, paying expenses of the infrastructure bank, and securing amounts payable by borrowers on loans and obligations. The infrastructure bank is also authorized to recover amounts due from borrowers and create loan loss reserve funds. The infrastructure bank is encouraged to use project labor agreements and local hiring for projects funded under this section.

Statutes affected:
6293: 39-2-1.2, 46-12.2-4.3