RI S3080

Public utilities serving over 25,000 ratepayers must identify 2-12 potential thermal energy network locations within 12 months and begin at least 2 feasibility studies within 18 months, with at least one location in an environmental justice focus area.

Specific locations required for consideration include Port of Providence, Lower South Providence, URI campuses, Aquidneck Island, Port of Galilee, Quonset development corporation facilities, and Pastore center campus.

Public Utilities Commission must adopt regulations within 18 months covering fair market access rules, cost-effectiveness criteria, rate structures, worker transition programs, and cost recovery rules for thermal energy networks.

Creates a 12-member advisory taskforce including representatives from AFL-CIO, building trades council, utility workers, environmental justice advocates, and technical experts to evaluate feasibility studies and recommend deployment strategies.

Utilities may recover reasonable costs from ratepayers but must first pursue non-ratepayer funding including federal/state grants, tax credits, and subsidized loans; natural gas utilities may own and operate thermal energy networks with PUC approval on a project-specific basis.