Rhode Island HB 6436: AN ACT RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- SOLAR PANELS (Would establish group for placement of solar panels on inter-state highways, would use America Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for funding.)

Bill Text

2021 -- H 6436
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LC002988
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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. 2021
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- SOLAR PANELS
Introduced By: Representatives Phillips, Costantino, Shallcross Smith, Ruggiero,
Cortvriend, Carson, Speakman, Hawkins, Cardillo, and Amore
Date Introduced: June 16, 2021
Referred To: House Finance

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Solar panel state highway advisory commission established. 1
There shall be established an advisory commission to be known as the solar panel state 2
highway advisory commission (the “commission”) to determine the most appropriate placement 3
of solar panels on median strips on interstate highways and route 146, carports at state parking lots, 4
and such other locations as the commission determines. In making such determinations, the 5
commission shall seek placements which would provide and generate maximum returns on the 6
investment as well as producing substantial amounts of energy. The commission shall consist of 7
the director of the department of transportation, or designee, the director of the department of 8
environmental management, or designee, the chairperson of the public utilities commission, or 9
designee, the director of the office of energy resources, or designee, and three (3) members of the 10
public appointed by the governor. 11
SECTION 2. The commission shall make findings and recommendations regarding the 12
placement of solar panels on median strips on interstate highways and route 146, carports at state 13
parking lots, and such other locations as the commission determines. The commission shall also 14
make recommendations to the general assembly regarding proposed appropriations for the costs of 15
installing and maintaining the solar panels and any ancillary equipment required to operate the 16
panels. The general assembly shall seek to utilize funds received from the American Rescue Plan 17
Act of 2021 in making appropriations to support this project and to implement the 18
recommendations of the commission. 19

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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage. 1
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HIGHWAYS -- SOLAR PANELS
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This act would establish an advisory commission to determine the placement of solar 1
panels on median strips on inter-state highways and route 146, and other locations. This act would 2
also direct the General Assembly to seek to utilize funds received from the American Rescue Plan 3
Act of 2021 in making appropriations to support this project and to implement the 4
recommendations of the commission. 5
This act would take effect upon passage. 6
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LC002988
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