Rhode Island § 23-82-5 - Implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Act

§ 23-82-5. Sale of allowances.

(a) The department shall provide in its regulations that one hundred percent (100%) of all allowances issued under the program in the state of Rhode Island shall be sold. A de minimus portion of allowances may be set aside to support the voluntary renewable energy provisions of the regional greenhouse gas initiative model rule.

(b) The department’s regulations shall specify the mechanism for sale of allowances, including authorizing the state to make use of any voluntary regional organizations, structures or mechanisms available to states implementing a program of this type, provided that any sale of allowances must be public, competitive and open to all who wish to participate.

(c) The department may engage an independent contractor, consumer trustee or other entity experienced in sale or auction design and management, including a regional entity engaged by multiple states to conduct regional sales or auctions, who is determined by the department, in consultation with the office, to be qualified to conduct auctions or sales in a manner that assures the efficiency of the auctions or sales. The selection of any independent contractor, consumer trustee or other entity shall be done in accordance with applicable procedures of the division of purchases.

(d) The department shall annually convey one hundred percent (100%) of all carbon allowances established pursuant to this section to the selected independent contractor, consumer trustee or other entity who shall be authorized to receive, hold and sell allowances for the long-term benefit of consumers. The selected independent contractor, consumer trustee or other entity shall conduct the auction or sale, collect the auction proceeds and shall upon receipt, transfer to the office the proceeds of the auction or sale to be distributed in accordance with § 23-82-6, under the oversight of the department.

(e) The department shall require an annual report from the independent contractor, consumer trustee or other entity conducting the auction or sale describing the auction or sale and its results. The report shall be made public and shall also be submitted to the general assembly.

(f) All proceeds collected from the auction or sale of allowances pursuant to this section shall be deposited as restricted receipts.