March 28, 2024

Senate passes Conley legislation expanding Rhode Island’s Renewable Energy Growth Program

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State House — The State Senate has passed legislation introduced by Sen. William J. Conley Jr. (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) that would expand the successful Renewable Energy Growth Program with an additional 400 MW of renewable energy over 10 years.
“The Renewable Energy Growth Program is supporting new clean energy investments and creating local jobs, including more than 180 residential solar projects located throughout Rhode Island,” said Senator Conley, who was honored as a Clean Energy Champion last month by the Northeast Clean Energy Council.
“This nationally acclaimed program has been very successful at facilitating development of small scale projects, and promotes the growth of green industries in Rhode Island, including clean energy industries which support almost 14,000 jobs across the state. Its extension will help Rhode Islanders who want to invest in renewable energy, as well as improving business for the companies who sell and install them.”
The legislation (2017-S 0112A) would expand the program so that from 2020 through 2029 there will be an annual target of 40 nameplate megawatts above the prior program year’s annual target. The Renewable Energy Growth Program allows large commercial projects as well as small renewable energy producers — such as rooftop solar — to sell their energy to National Grid at set price over a set time (15 to 20 years).
Last year, Senator Conley supported a package of bills to enhance the state's renewable energy policies, create green jobs, and help move the state’s energy sector toward a clean, sustainable, reliable future. The legislation was signed into law in July.
The measure, which was cosponsored by Senators V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown, New Shoreham), Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence) and Senate Minority Whip Nicholas D. Kettle (R-Dist. 21, Coventry, Foster, Scituate, West Greenwich), now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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