Senate adopts renewable-ready program to incentivize solar on disturbed sites, adopts amendment on definitions

The Rhode Island Senate on May 14 passed S2293 Sub A, a bill to establish a Renewable Ready Program within the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank intended to incentivize solar development on previously disturbed sites—such as closed landfills and gravel pits—by using federal or other funds to offset development costs.

Senator DiMario explained the program’s goal is to steer solar away from cutting down forests and to make projects on disturbed sites more economically attractive. The bill would enable use of federal "Solar for All" funds—DiMario referenced $49 million awarded to the state—to create virtual net metering and off-taker arrangements for multifamily and renter populations who cannot install rooftop systems.

Floor amendment LC 4,790 fivetwo revised statutory definitions (adding associations, farms, multi-municipal collaboratives, and clarifying the definition of a "person" to include "any natural person"). The amendment was explained and seconded on the floor and adopted by recorded vote; the amended bill subsequently passed (32 affirmative on final passage as recorded in debate segments).

Debate included a policy trade-off: Senator Bell and others urged pursuing rooftop net metering reforms that would expand rooftop solar capacity, arguing that making rooftop installation easier and economical could be a more efficient use of public resources than subsidizing larger ground projects. DiMario responded that this program targets larger-scale or multi-offtaker projects and leverages specific federal funds to benefit renters and multifamily residents who cannot put solar on rooftops.

The amendment and bill were adopted; sponsors noted the program design aims to use federal and non-ratepayer resources to support development on previously disturbed lands while protecting green spaces.