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6/30/2026
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Law gives legislature control over approval, fees for undersea cable projects
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STATE HOUSE — A new law sponsored by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski and Rep. Tina Spears gives the legislature the authority to negotiate all undersea projects impacting areas over 25 acres, including transmission cables for offshore wind projects.
“Offshore wind is incredibly important to the future of our energy needs,” said Senator Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown), who chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture. “While these projects are mainly built in federal waters, they do cross Rhode Island waters as well. By having the General Assembly negotiate these deals, we can ensure that they serve the public trust to allow offshore wind developers to more easily account for costs when they plan these projects.”
The law (2026-S 3148, 2026-H 7677), which was introduced at the request of the Coastal Resources Management Council, gives the General Assembly the authority to negotiate on behalf of the state for all activities occurring in, on and over state submerged land extending beyond 25 acres. In most cases these projects will be cables, either to offshore wind projects or for telecom projects.
“The impact of offshore wind cables are significant when compared to the telecommunication cables we ordinarily deal with in leasing undersea acreage,” said Representative Spears (D-Dist. 36, Charlestown, Westerly, South Kingstown, New Shoreham). “Because of that impact, it’s important that these negotiations and discussions take place within the General Assembly.”
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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