All Roll Calls
Yes: 80 • No: 27
Rhode IslandH56872025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ENERGY FACILITY SITING ACT .
Sponsored By: Matthew S. Dawson (Democratic)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Providence-area customers fund buried power lines
Providence and East Providence can petition the Public Utilities Commission to put their full settlement refunds, including interest, toward undergrounding instead of direct customer payments; city councils must ratify this choice. Both councils must approve charging remaining costs through electric rates and deliver resolutions by July 1, 2026. The commission must approve a per-kilowatt-hour charge lasting at least three years, covering interest, tax adjustments, and billing-system changes. After refunds, costs are split by actual undergrounding costs in each city; other funding lowers charges for the cities it covers. Final project costs must be checked against amounts billed.
Cities gain underground power line approval path
Effective upon passage, the law opens an approval path for burying part of the E-183 line in Providence and East Providence. The state siting board can change the license without deciding whether two existing legal tests are met; construction requires board approval. Once construction conditions are satisfied, both cities must acquire and give Narragansett Electric the property rights it reasonably needs, free. After completion, the company must transfer easements it no longer needs to the city where they lie, free upon request. The Public Utilities Commission settles disputes about which property rights and easements are needed.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Matthew S. Dawson
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Jennifer Boylan
Democratic • House
Jenni A. Furtado
Democratic • House
Katherine S. Kazarian
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 6/18/2025
STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ENERGY FACILITY SITING ACT In Concurrence Passage
Yes: 28 • No: 9
House vote • 6/10/2025
ENERGY FACILITY SITING ACT PASSAGE
Yes: 52 • No: 18
Actions Timeline
Effective without Governor's signature — Chapter 190
6/26/2025GovernorTransmitted to Governor
6/18/2025GovernorSenate passed Sub A in concurrence
6/18/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Calendar (06/18/2025)
6/13/2025SenateHouse passed Sub A
6/10/2025HousePlaced on House Calendar (06/10/2025)
6/6/2025HouseCommittee recommends passage of Sub A
6/4/2025Proposed Substitute
6/2/2025Scheduled for consideration (06/04/2025)
6/2/2025Committee recommended measure be held for further study
5/20/2025Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/20/2025)
5/16/2025Committee postponed at request of sponsor (04/22/2025)
4/21/2025Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
4/18/2025Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
2/26/2025House
Bill Text
H5687 - As Introduced
2/26/2025
H5687 - Substitute
2/26/2025
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