Lobbyists Prove Influential In RI Energy Debate

RAY HENRY

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — As Rhode Island moves to expand its renewable energy market, lobbyists at the Statehouse are finding the debate provides a different form of green power: cash.

At least $400,000 has been spent so far this year by corporations with a stake as lawmakers hash out agreements worth big money to power developers, energy suppliers and labor unions hurting for jobs. That is double the amount spent on such lobbying in 2005, just before Gov. Don Carcieri set a goal of meeting 20 percent of the state's electricity needs through renewable resources by 2011, according to an Associated Press review of lobbying reports.

Some members of Rhode Island's part-time legislature say the work done by lobbyists helped enable them to vote knowledgeably on complicated legislation while simultaneously trying to close a massive budget deficit that has occupied most of their time and attention. ...