Rhode Island House Approves Nuclear Power Legislation

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Rhode Island House passes legislation for nuclear energy procurement.

News Summary

The Rhode Island House has passed legislation allowing public utilities to purchase nuclear power from out-of-state facilities. This initiative, aimed at diversifying energy sources and reducing utility costs for consumers, allows long-term contracts for supply while not permitting new nuclear facility construction in the state. The move highlights the state’s commitment to clean energy under the Act on Climate. Concerns remain about the economic implications of the legislation amidst rising energy costs.

Rhode Island – The Rhode Island House approved legislation on Tuesday that will enable public utilities to purchase clean, nuclear power from out-of-state facilities at competitive market rates. The bill, designated as 2025-H 5575A and introduced by Rep. Joseph J. Solomon Jr. (D-Dist. 22, Warwick), aims to diversify the state’s energy sources while potentially alleviating the financial burden of rising utility bills for consumers.

The newly passed legislation permits utility companies that distribute electric and gas to participate in programs designed to reliably transmit nuclear power. Furthermore, it grants public utilities the ability to procure nuclear energy and enter into long-term contracts for its supply, a move acknowledged as pivotal given the current challenges of high energy costs faced across Rhode Island.

According to Rep. Solomon, the initiative is intended to provide additional sources of clean, carbon-free energy—integral components of Rhode Island’s energy goals under the Act on Climate. He highlighted that incorporating nuclear power into the energy mix could lead to savings for consumers, particularly in the face of persisting electric rate increases.

Importantly, the legislation does not sanction the construction of any new nuclear facilities within Rhode Island. Instead, it facilitates the purchase of electricity generated from existing nuclear power plants across state lines, specifically targeting operations in neighboring states such as Connecticut and New Hampshire. This route is perceived as a cost-effective measure to bolster Rhode Island’s energy supply.

The progress of this bill now shifts to the Senate, where a similar piece of legislation, 2025-S 0318, has been introduced by Sen. David P. Tikoian (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, Lincoln, North Providence). In parallel, Rhode Island Energy is looking into the potential for establishing long-term contracts with the Millstone Power Station in Connecticut, which currently supplies energy under contracts that are slated to expire in 2029.

Rising electric rates and an increased demand for zero-carbon energy resources have triggered discussions around the inclusion of nuclear energy. The legislation aims to address the economic pressures stemming from rising utility costs, which have surged for consumers in the past two and a half years and have yet to show signs of decline.

Despite the perceived benefits, concerns were raised regarding the unpredictability of savings associated with nuclear contracts, especially considering the volatile nature of natural gas prices. Additionally, there is potential for Rhode Island Energy to seek compensation for entering long-term contracts—a contentious issue that has sparked debate among lawmakers, as any such costs ultimately impact consumers directly.

The state’s energy landscape is evolving; nuclear power’s contribution has decreased from 29% to 24% over recent years due to the retirement of several nuclear plants in the region. Supporters of the new legislation emphasize that maintaining a diverse energy supply is crucial, especially as the reliance on fossil fuels continues to rise.

On the other hand, critics caution against creating additional financial burdens through extended payments to utilities. They assert that the financial ramifications of any new agreements should be scrutinized closely, given that they fall on the shoulders of consumers. The Office of Energy Resources in Rhode Island is backing collaborative efforts with neighboring states aimed at reducing emissions, which would likely include nuclear energy as a key component in those strategies.