Download Rhode Island’s renewable electricity PDF
Renewable Mandate Status: Not on Track[i]
- 2009 Estimated Qualified Renewable Generation: 2.1%[ii]
- 2009 Renewable Mandate: 4%
- 2020 Renewable Mandate: 16%
Eligible Resources: Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Geothermal Electric, Anaerobic Digestion, Tidal Energy, Wave Energy, Ocean Thermal, Biodiesel, Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels[iii]
Compliance Schedule:
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Renewable portfolio history: RES enacted in June 2004. In 2020, and in each year thereafter, the minimum RES established in 2019 must be maintained unless the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) determines that the standard is no longer necessary.[iv] In June 2009, RI passed the Long Term Contracting Standard for Renewable Energy that required electric distribution companies to solicit proposals and enter into long-term contracts for capacity, energy, and attributes from new (not yet operational) renewable energy facilities.[v]
Credit Trading: Yes
Noncompliance penalty: $60.93 per MWh of renewable generation shortfall.[vi]
Electricity Price Ranking: 8th Highest [vii]
- 14.34 cents/KWh in Rhode Island
- 7.67 cents/KWh in non-mandated states
[i] See Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, Rhode Island Renewable Energy Standard Annual Compliance Report, Feb. 2010, http://www.ripuc.org/utilityinfo/PUC-RES-AnnualReport2008(2-11-10).pdf.
[ii] Energy Information Administration, Electricity Generation 2009, http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/generation_state_mon.xls.
[iii] Database of state Incentives for Renewables and Electricity, Rhode Island. http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=RI08R&re=1&ee=1.
[iv] Rhode Island Public Utility Commission, (June 2007) Rules and Regulations Governing the Implementation of a Renewable Energy Standard. http://www.ripuc.org/utilityinfo/RESRules%287-25-07%29.pdf.
[v] Rhode Island Public Utilities and Carriers (June 2009) § 39-26.1-3; http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE39/39-26.1/39-26.1-3.HTM.
[vi] Rhode Island Public Utility Commission, Alternative Compliance Payment Rate, http://www.ripuc.org/utilityinfo/RES-ACPRate(1-19-10).pdf.
[vii] EIA, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B., Average Retail Price of Electricity, June 2010, Released Sept. 15, 2010, http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/table5_6_b.html.
