In the March issue of the Rhode Island Bar Journal, Seth writes of the dangers of continuing a “business-as-usual” approach to Rhode Island’s energy system, and the economic opportunities we can grasp by embracing new and transformative technologies and meeting the...
Steward’s Journal August 2022
Recent Stewardship
❖ In Docket 5235, the RI PUC confirmed that renewable energy projects may self-perform interconnection work and are entitled to cost sharing from subsequent projects that rely on the work, under RI Gen. Laws §39-26.3-4.1(c).
❖ Advocating for projects and in PUC Dockets 5205 and 5206 on utility administration of cost sharing obligations and practice of charging interconnecting customers for work that is planned to benefit the electrical system.
❖ US District Court for District of RI denied National Grid’s motion to dismiss class action lawsuit seeking to recover interconnection taxes utility collects from renewable energy projects despite a longstanding IRS exemption. ACP Land LLC et al v. National Grid plc et al, Case # 1:21-cv-00316-MSM-LDA
❖ General Assembly passed law to prohibit double taxation of renewable energy projects for their tangible value and their impact on real property value. see http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText22/HouseText22/H8220A.pdf
❖ Briefed appeal of existing double tax assessments in RI Supreme Court. Polseno vs. Mondillo et al., Case # SU-2021-0299-A
❖ Obtained special use permit for solar project in Pawtucket.
❖ Negotiated an engineering, procurement and construction agreement for a solar installation in Providence.
❖ Helping clients prepare and negotiate net metering agreements.
❖ Continued advocacy seeking relief for timeline constraints due to COVID 19, supply chain and cost overrun issues.
Other News & Resources
❖ Helen is unopposed in her run for reelection to represent Ward 2 on the Providence City Council
❖ The Boston Globe published our account of the sale of Narragansett Electric – https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/10/metro/power-companies-regulators-biases-obstruct-more-affordable-secure-cleaner-energy-rhode-island/
❖ Seth continues his strategic planning work with the Nonviolence Institute – https://www.nonviolenceinstitute.org/
❖ Come celebrate the What Cheer Flower Farm Flower Festival – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-cheer-flower-festival-22-tickets-369538739317