2025 -- H 6202
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LC002549
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
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A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- NET METERING -- LONG-TERM
CONTRACTS FOR RENEWA BLE ENERGY -- MORATORIUM
Introduced By: Representatives Chippendale, J. Brien, Casey, Paplauskas, Quattrocchi,
Santucci, Newberry, Place, Fascia, and Nardone
Date Introduced: April 09, 2025
Referred To: House Corporations
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 36 3
MORATORIUM ON NET METERING, LONG -TERM CONTRACTS AN D SUBSIDIES FOR 4
HEAT PUMPS 5
39-36-1. Definitions. 6
As used in this chapter the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings: 7
(1) “Heat pump” means any device that transfers heat using mechanical energy; 8
(2) “Long-term contract” means any contract in excess of five (5) years; 9
(3) “Net metering” means using electrical energy generated by an eligible net-metering 10
system for the purpose of self-supplying electrical energy and power at the eligible net-metering 11
system site; 12
(4) “Solar energy” means a form of renewable energy that harnesses the power of the sun 13
to generate electricity; 14
(5) “Wind energy” means a form of renewable energy that harnesses the power of the wind 15
to generate electricity. 16
39-36-2. Moratorium related to net metering, long-term contracts and subsidies. 17
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws to the contrary including, but 18
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not limited to, chapter 26.4 of title 39, any right to renew or enter into any net metering contracts 1
that are regulated by state law and no customer sited and/or grid-connected power generated energy 2
contracts shall be permitted under any provision of the general laws. 3
(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws to the contrary, including, but 4
not limited to the provisions of chapter 26.1 of title 39, the State of Rhode Island is hereby 5
prohibited from entering into any long-term contracts for the purchasing of solar or wind energy 6
with any energy provider. 7
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general laws to the contrary, including, but 8
not limited to, the provisions of chapter 27 of title 39, and notwithstanding any program utilized by 9
the office of energy resources for the State of Rhode Island, no state funds shall be used to subsidize 10
the purchase or installation of heat pumps provided by any utility or governmental agency. 11
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2026. 12
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- NET METERING -- LONG-TERM
CONTRACTS FOR RENEWA BLE ENERGY -- MORATORIUM
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This act would place a moratorium on net metering contracts, subsidies for heat pumps and 1
long-term contracts for the purchasing of solar or wind energy. 2
This act would take effect on January 1, 2026. 3
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