RI Adopts Most ‘Aggressive’ RE Standard In US

• Rhode Island has officially committed to a 100% renewable energy target for the state by 2033
• Governor McKee said this is the most aggressive renewable energy standard among all US states
• The state believes this would not only support green industry, but also create good paying jobs locally

The State of Rhode Island (RI) in the US has adopted the most 'aggressive' renewable energy standard among all other states by committing to offset all of its electricity with 100% renewable energy by 2033, said Governor Dan McKee after he signed the legislation to this effect.

The legislation H277/S2274 was cleared by the state House of Representatives recently (see North America PV News Snippets).

Till now, the law required annual 1.5 percentage point increases in the amount of electricity required to be generated from renewable energy by 2035. Under the new law, the state has accelerated these to increase by an additional 4% in 2023, 5% in 2024, 6% in 2025, 7% in 2026 and 2027, and thereafter 0.5% increase reaching 9.5% in 2032, to achieve the 100% electricity goal in 2033.

"This bill supports renewable energy growth, and is consistent with the Act on Climate's goal of reducing carbon emissions by to net-zero by 2050," said Representative Deborah Ruggiero who has sponsored the bill. "In addition to reducing emissions and our reliance on fossil fuels that must be brought to Rhode Island from other places, creating renewable energy supports the green industry, creating thousands of good paying jobs right here in Rhode Island."

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), RI had a total of 576.3 MW solar installed till 2021 with the addition of 159.53 MW during that year. The US solar industry has invested $90.9.59 million in the state that also hosts 9 manufacturers.

State based environmental advocacy organization in the US, Environment America said RI is now the 10^th state in the country to officially commit to a 100% renewable energy target with the 'fastest timeline of any state in the nation'.

The state's target is ahead of the federal goal to have a 100% carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and a net zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.