2023 -- S 0205
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LC001350
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE DEPAR TMENT OF ADMINISTRAT ION TO
CONDUCT A STUDY ON T HE TECHNICAL AND ECO NOMIC OUTCOMES OF
DECARBONIZING RHODE ISLAND BY 2030
Introduced By: Senator Samuel W. Bell
Date Introduced: February 16, 2023
Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture
WHEREAS, The term decarbonization is defined as the reduction of carbon through 1
conversion to an economic system that sustainably reduces and compensates the emissions of 2
carbon dioxide (CO2) with a long-term goal of creating a CO2-free global economy; and 3
WHEREAS, Electricity rates in Rhode Island increased 46 percent in 2022, and the cost 4
of fossil fuels and electricity produced by fossil fuels is projected to increase through 2050; and 5
WHEREAS, The Rhode Island economy shrinks by approximately $3 billion every year 6
as consumers send money out-of-state to buy energy; and 7
WHEREAS, Nebraska pays some of the lowest electricity rates in the United States 8
because publicly-owned utilities distribute electricity; and 9
WHEREAS, The Batesville School District in Arkansas receives significant revenue 10
from energy efficiency and solar energy production; and 11
WHEREAS, Alaska has built a $66 billion reserve and pays dividends to its citizens from 12
energy and mining sales; and 13
WHEREAS, Decarbonization that incorporates the methods of Nebraska, Arkansas, and 14
Alaska can lower energy prices in Rhode Island, grow the state’s economy, and create revenue 15
for the state; now, therefore be it 16
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby respectfully requests a 17
study to be conducted through a request for proposal (RFP) costing no more than $2.5 million to 18
produce a report on the technical and economic outcomes of decarbonizing Rhode Island by 19
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2030, with the aim of reducing the cost of energy, growing Rhode Island’s economy, boosting 1
Act on Climate, and creating the maximum amount of revenue for the state; and be it further 2
RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby requests that the study analyzes and includes the 3
following technical factors: 4
• How to bring Rhode Island to top energy efficiency; 5
• How to generate 100 percent of Rhode Island’s energy needs with solar and wind 6
power; 7
• Evaluate offshore and onshore wind for energy production; 8
• Evaluate vertical-access wind turbines (VAWT) for energy production; 9
• Evaluate other viable clean energy production technologies for energy production; 10
• Evaluate producing extra energy for out-of-state energy sales; 11
• Produce recommendations without harming or disrupting wilderness, habits, and 12
wildlife; 13
• How to renovate the grid for maximum resilience and efficiency; 14
• Evaluate micro-grids and battery energy storage for energy distribution; 15
• How to electrify heating/cooling and transportation; and 16
• Evaluate replacing natural gas pipelines with geothermal loops; and be it further 17
RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby requests that the study analyzes and includes the 18
following economic factors: 19
• Determine costs of energy efficiency, solar and wind infrastructure, renovating the 20
grid, and electrifying heating/cooling and transportation; 21
• Determine profits from energy production; 22
• Determine the best ratio of public/private development and ownership for maximum 23
state revenue; 24
• Evaluate leasing/partnerships with property owners; 25
• Project electricity rates; 26
• Evaluate reinvestment of profits into Rhode Island communities; 27
• Evaluate annual dividends to citizens; and 28
• Evaluate jobs and other economic effects during building and after construction; and be 29
it further 30
RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby requests that the RFP be issued by September 1, 31
2023, and the study be completed by March 7, 2024, and that a copy of the final report be given 32
to the House of Representatives upon completion; and be it further 33
RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby requests that the Secretary of State administer and 34
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oversee the RFP; and be it further 1
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 2
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Daniel McKee, Governor of the 3
State of Rhode Island, and James E. Thorsen, Director of the Rhode Island Department of 4
Administration. 5
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LC001350
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