Woonsocket Radio News Room

Senate passes Ruggerio bill requiring that 100 percent of electricity be generated from renewable energy sources

STATE HOUSE — The Senate today passed legislation introduced by Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) that would dramatically accelerate the percentage of electricity produced from renewable sources.

The legislation (2021-S 0629A) would provide that 100 percent of electricity sold in Rhode Island be generated from renewable sources by 2030. It would codify a similar executive order from former Governor Gina Raimondo in January 2020.

“Our coastal state is already seeing the impacts of climate change,” said President Ruggerio. “It is imperative that, as a state, nation and global community, we transition to renewable energy now, not later. The Rhode Island Senate has long been committed to renewable energy, and our Ocean State has been a leader in renewable energy innovation, including as home to the nation’s first offshore wind farm. Just as Samuel Slater harnessed the power of the Blackstone River to launch the American Industrial Revolution, Rhode Island can once again use renewable power to lead the way as we address the urgent climate change crisis.”

Instead of the current schedule of annual 1.5 percentage point increases in electricity required to be generated from renewable sources through 2035, The Renewable Energy Standard Act would increase renewable energy targets by an additional 4 percent in 2022, 9.5 percent each year from 2023 through 2029, and an additional 10.5 percent in 2030 to achieve the 100 percent.

The measure now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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