39-26-1. Legislative findings.

The General Assembly finds that:

(1) The people and energy users of Rhode Island have an interest in having electricity

supplied in the state come from a diversity of energy sources including renewable and zero-

emission resources;

(2) Increased use of renewable and zero-emission energy may have the potential to lower

and stabilize future energy costs and protect ratepayers from the volatility of regional energy

markets ;

(3) Increased use of renewable and zero-emission energy can reduce air pollutants,

including carbon dioxide emissions, that adversely affect public health and contribute to global

warming;

(4) Massachusetts, Connecticut, and other states have established renewable and zero-

emission energy standard programs to encourage the development of renewable energy sources;

(5) It is in the interest of the people, in order to protect public health and the environment

and to promote the general welfare and to ensure affordability and reliability , to establish a

renewable and zero-emission energy standard program to increase levels of electrical energy

supplied in the state from renewable resources in a manner that prioritizes efficiency and cost-

effectiveness .