In a press release announcing the proposed budget, McKee said he is committed to supporting everyday Rhode Islanders amid national economic difficulties. The Hospital Association of Rhode Island, on the other hand, “commends Gov. McKee also plans to amend the state Renewable Energy Act, which created the renewable energy standard in 2004. The McKee administration estimates that amending the renewable energy standard will save Rhode Islanders a total of around $597 million over five years. Capping funding for energy efficiency programs, discontinuing incentive payments to Rhode Island Energy and other initiatives would make up the rest of the $1 billion in savings.