Acadia Center Comments in Response to Rhode Island Future of Gas Policy Report Outline

Acadia Center recently submitted comments in response to the release of the Rhode Island Future of Gas Policy Report Outline. In these comments, Acadia Center highlights the high level of uncertainty surrounding the GHG emission benefits of “renewable natural gas” and the high level of uncertainty surrounding the extent of methane leakage from the gas distributions system - and how this uncertainty should influence the eventual recommendations of the Policy Report. Acadia Center also directly responds to a wide range of policy mechanisms to reduce emissions from the gas system referenced in the Outline, including a moratorium to end new gas connections, a gas system decommissioning program, a clean heat standard, accelerated depreciation of gas assets, and the concept of securitization/long-term government takeover of the gas system.