PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Rhode Island legislature has handed a invoice (H277/S2274) that may set the quickest timeline for any state within the nation to obtain 100% of its electrical energy from renewable vitality sources. The laws imposes incrementally rising annual benchmarks for electrical suppliers to satisfy till reaching 100% by 2033. If Governor Daniel McKee, as anticipated, indicators the invoice into regulation, Rhode Island will be a part of 9 different states which can be working to decelerate international warming by way of commitments to 100% clear or renewable vitality.
“Rhode Island is poised to leap to the entrance of the road of states main us towards a clear energy-powered future,” mentioned Johanna Neumann, senior director of the Marketing campaign for 100% Renewable Power for Atmosphere America. “This forward-looking dedication marks one other milestone in America’s clear vitality journey.”
Rhode Island has plentiful renewable vitality potential. Wind energy alone may energy the state eight instances over. The Ocean State can also be house to America’s first offshore wind farm at Block Island.
H277/S2274 codifies the objectives specified by an govt order then-Gov. Gina Raimondo issued in January 2020 that dedicated Rhode Island to 100% renewable electrical energy by the top of the last decade. For the reason that governor signed that govt order, Atmosphere America has labored with in-state advocates to push to codify the objectives it laid out into regulation.
“Rhode Islanders rallied round laws to energy our state on 100% renewable electrical energy as a result of it places local weather motion into follow,” mentioned Kai Salem, Coverage Coordinator at Inexperienced Power Shoppers Alliance and convener of the coalition to move 100% renewable laws in Rhode Island. “This is step one to assembly our emissions reductions mandate of 40% reductions by 2030.”
Atmosphere America launched its 100% Renewable Marketing campaign in 2018. On the time, solely Hawaii had any statewide 100% renewables timeline. Teams in Atmosphere America’s federation performed a key position in securing California’s landmark dedication to 100% clear electrical energy that very same yr. Since then, seven extra states have made 100% clear or renewable electrical energy commitments. Atmosphere America, state organizations and our companions on the Scholar PIRGs plan to proceed to marketing campaign for 100% renewable vitality commitments from school administrations and state governments throughout the nation.
“After we launched our state campaigns for 100% renewable vitality, many thought the imaginative and prescient was too massive,” mentioned Neumann. “Commitments reminiscent of Rhode Island’s are increasing the realm of unpolluted vitality prospects. Renewable vitality is rising by leaps and bounds, defying projections and outcompeting fossil fuels when it comes to effectivity and price. We’d like extra states to set their sights on 100% clear renewable vitality. The earlier we attain 100% renewable vitality, the earlier our children can have cleaner air and a more healthy local weather.”
Information courtesy of Atmosphere California.
Associated story: California Reaching 100% Renewable Electrical energy At Instances
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