Bill > H2917

This bill authorizes and directs the department to require electric companies to offer retail customers the choice to purchase electricity generated from renewable energy sources, separate from existing requirements like the renewable portfolio standard. The department must create rules for a "green electricity purchasing" program, set fair rates for renewable energy, and educate customers about these options. The bill defines "renewable energy" broadly to include non-depletable or naturally replenishable sources, as well as emerging non-fossil fuel technologies with commercial potential in New England and New York, such as solar, wind, ocean energy, fuel cells, landfill gas, waste-to-energy, hydroelectric, and advanced biomass technologies, while explicitly excluding coal, oil, natural gas (except in fuel cells), and nuclear power. The department will also be required to submit biannual reports to legislative committees on the program's implementation.