Will R.I.’s pioneering clean energy goal be delayed?

Rhode Island was the first state to commit to a 100% renewable energy goal by 2033, but Gov. Daniel J. McKee’s administration is attempting to revise the state’s renewable and clean energy policies amid rising energy costs and economic pressures.

Emily Koo, senior policy advocate and Rhode Island program director at the clean energy advocacy organization Acadia Center, argues that cutting back on renewable targets will exacerbate the crisis facing residents.

“To tackle energy costs, Rhode Island’s focus should be on building more renewables, not on rolling back our targets,” she said.

Koo said that delaying the state’s renewable energy standard, for example, would increase Rhode Islanders’ dependence on volatile natural gas markets and undermine the state’s economy.

“The state of Rhode Island should be doing everything within its power to bring more local clean energy online and coordinate with neighboring states to unlock the most affordable clean energy resources,” she said.

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