Creates an intervenor compensation program to provide compensation in the form of grants for legal fees, expert witness fees, and other reasonable costs to an intervenor in both, energy siting board and public utilities commission proceedings.

Plain-English Summary

This bill, called the "Equitable Participation in Utility Regulation Act," would create a program to financially help certain individuals and groups participate in official hearings about energy and utility decisions in Rhode Island. Specifically, it would provide grants — meaning money that doesn't need to be paid back — to cover costs like attorney fees, expert witness fees, and other related expenses for people or groups who formally join these regulatory proceedings as "intervenors." An intervenor is someone who gets official permission to participate in a legal or regulatory case because they have a direct interest in the outcome.

The hearings this bill covers are held by two Rhode Island bodies: the Energy Siting Board (which makes decisions about where and how energy facilities can be built) and the Public Utilities Commission (which oversees utility companies like electric, gas, and water providers). These proceedings can have major impacts on communities, but they often require expensive legal and technical expertise to participate in meaningfully, which can put that participation out of reach for everyday residents or small community groups.

This bill would level the playing field by making sure that qualifying intervenors — such as community organizations, ratepayer advocates, or individuals directly affected by a utility decision — aren't shut out simply because they can't afford professional representation. The goal is to allow more voices to be heard in decisions that can significantly affect energy costs, infrastructure, and local communities across Rhode Island.

The bill has been introduced and referred to the House Corporations Committee, meaning it is in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been voted on.