Renewable Energy Rates Hearing Underway
ecoRI News
By TIM FAULKNER/ecoRI News staff
Kenneth Payne from the Office of Energy Resource spoke before the state Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday. (Tim Faulkner/ecoRI News staff)WARWICK — The Public Utilities Commission on Nov. 9 began hearings on proposed rates for new alternative energy projects in Rhode Island.
The fixed rates are intended to help grow the state's wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric power sectors. The rates should "be high enough to get the projects up and running and low enough to be reasonable and fair to ratepayers," said Jerry Elmer of the Conservation Law Foundation.
The proposed rates would add about 13 cents per kilowatt-hour for wind projects and 30 cents for solar. The prices will be locked in for 20 years, but the General Assembly will annually review pricing for new projects.
Opponents have said that these rates would be a detrimental expense to residents and businesses.
Submitted letters both for and against the project are posted on the PUC's website.
A letter from Newport resident Benjamin Riggs Jr., who challenged the pay terms for the Portsmouth High School wind turbine, opposes the project for several reasons, including a presumed violation of the Commerce Clause in the Constitution.
Environmental organizations and groups supporting businesses and other large electricity users spoke in support of the pricing structure. "We want to make sure this isn't carved in stone and we have an opportunity to look at it," said Seth Handy, the attorney representing the Washington County Regional Planning Council and solar installer Alteris Renewables.
Proponents say the rates will help project developers forecast predictable revenues, which improve funding options. Clean energy, jobs and a reduced need for fossil fuels are other benefits being touted.
The hearings are expected to last into Thursday.