It is bad policy and bad business to push back the Renewable Energy Standard to 2040 or 2050.
Rolling back the Renewable Energy Standard and retroactively changing rates on the life of net metering projects will set a dangerous precedent in Rhode Island. It sends the message that Rhode Island is NOT in the clean energy business; take your projects and jobs elsewhere.
Renewable Energy Standard (RES) means we produce energy from natural sources that will not run out- sunlight (solar), wind, water (hydropower), and organic materials (biomass). Renewable energy sources can be stored for future use. Oil and gas are finite and have environmental impacts.
The Renewable Energy Standard requires electricity suppliers and distributors to include a percentage of their electricity from renewables. All energy from gas, oil, and renewables goes into the Grid. There is a computer-based accounting system with RECS (renewable energy credits). For every Megawatt of electricity from renewable energy that is put into the grid, it creates 1 REC or renewable energy certificate. A 100% RES means an electricity supplier that sells 100MW of electricity must buy 100MW of Renewable Energy Credits. It is an accounting system. We will continue to use fossil fuels during the shift to cleaner energy.
Rhode Island is at the end of the energy pipeline, and no community wants gas lines or a gas plant in their town (just ask Burrillville). We do not produce fossil fuels here; we must buy them. As the Ocean State, we are harnessing offshore wind and solar to strengthen our energy supply and, in the long term, lower electricity rates.
The RES was based on offshore wind contributing to energy production. Since Revolution Wind was selected in 2018 it has fully installed sixty of the sixty-five turbines; and the transmission cable to North Kingstown is complete to serve 250,000 Rhode Island homes and businesses, despite federal lawsuits and work stoppages.
If we want to lower utility bills, start with Rhode Island Energy, not the local solar developers and clean energy companies that are creating jobs in this state. People will not see lower electricity bills if the Governor or the legislature roll back the RES standard. Take a PAUSE. Spend the legislative offseason researching, analyzing, and framing thoughtful policies such as reducing costs for residents and businesses by restructuring programs and holding utilities accountable. Bring all the stakeholders together.
The only way to keep electricity rates down is to hold Rhode Island Energy accountable to bring immediate relief and long-term affordability. That is why the role of the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers is so important. The DPUC is the watchdog, the advocate for ratepayers. Pay attention to the appointments and the decisions of the DPUC and Public Utilities Commission. There is good energy to move clean energy forward.
former State Representative Deborah Ruggiero, sponsor of the Renewable Energy StandardÂ
