RI S2727

Establishes an intervenor compensation program providing grants of $50,000 (adjusted every 5 years for inflation) to cover legal fees, expert witness fees, and other reasonable costs for individuals and 501(c)(3) organizations participating in Public Utilities Commission and Energy Facility Siting Board proceedings

Creates an "intervenor compensation special fund" within the PUC with a $300,000 balance maintained through annual General Assembly appropriations, with up to 10% available for program administration

Limits eligibility to parties demonstrating "significant financial hardship" who intervene in proceedings involving electric distribution companies with over 100,000 customers, electric transmission companies, gas distribution companies, and energy efficiency programs

Requires grant applications be approved or denied within 30 days, prohibits other parties from contesting funding requests, and mandates grantees submit expenditure reports within 30 days of proceeding completion

Authorizes the commission to order utilities with over 100,000 customers to pay up to $100,000 into the fund if insufficient funds exist, with costs recoverable through rates