2023 -- S 0769
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LC002153
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS
Introduced By: Senators Euer, DiMario, Zurier, Lawson, Miller, Cano, Sosnowski,
Murray, and Lauria
Date Introduced: March 23, 2023
Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Title 39 of the General Laws entitled "PUBLIC UTILITIES AND 1
CARRIERS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 2
CHAPTER 2.3 3
NATURAL GAS STUDY 4
39-2.3-1. Planning for natural gas connections. 5
(a) Prior to completing any new connections to the gas distribution system, the gas 6
distribution company shall complete a study as described in § 39-2.3-2. 7
(b) The public utilities commission ("commission") shall require the gas distribution 8
company to file with the commission an application for new connections to the gas distribution 9
system prior to any construction or cost recovery to the gas distribution company for any costs 10
associated with a new connection. 11
(c) The application for a new connection shall not be considered complete until it includes 12
a gas connection study as described in § 39-2.3-2. 13
39-2.3-2. Gas connection study. 14
(a) The gas connection study shall include, at a minimum, the following elements: 15
(1) Current capacity of the distribution line to which there is a proposed new connection. 16
(2) Expected capacity following the proposed connection. 17
(3) Identification of any known or expected system constraints on the distribution line to 18
which there is a proposed new connection. 19
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(4) Identification of any new infrastructure that will be necessary to facilitate the new 1
connection. 2
(5) A statement as to the environmental impact of the new connection, including, but not 3
limited to, expected new greenhouse gas emissions, criteria air pollutant releases, and other 4
potential environmental impacts. 5
(6) Expected cost to all ratepayers on an annualized basis for the new connection. 6
(7) Financial impact to the company and ratepayers if the value of the new gas connection 7
will be zero dollars in 2050. 8
(8) Expected impact of the increased demand for gas due from the new connection on the 9
regional system that is regularly constrained in the winter. 10
(b) The public utilities commission shall not approve any new connections to the gas 11
distribution system, or cost recovery for costs associated with a new connection to the gas 12
distribution system, until the study described in subsection (a) of this section is complete and filed 13
with the commission. 14
39-2.3-3. Adoption of rules. 15
The public utilities commission shall have the authority to adopt, amend, and implement 16
rules as may be necessary and desirable to effectuate the purposes of this chapter. 17
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 18
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LC002153
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LC002153 - Page 3 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS
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This act would create a natural gas study prior to completing any new connections to the 1
gas distribution system, additionally, this act would delineate the elements required for the natural 2
gas test. 3
This act would take effect upon passage. 4
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LC002153
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