Energy

Establishes the thermal energy network & jobs act facilitating study of the technology to determine if goals can be met by implementing thermal energy networks in Rhode Island/creates a task force of interested parties to be an advisory committee.

Facilitates the study of thermal energy technology to determine if these goals can be met by the implementation of thermal energy networks in Rhode Island.

HB 7183 requires owners of large Rhode Island buildings (25,000+ gross square feet) to annually track and report energy use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. Buildings over 50,000 sq ft must report starting May 15, 2028, while those between 25,000-49,999 sq ft begin reporting May 15, 2030. The Office of Energy Resources will collect this data, publish it publicly to increase market transparency, and host annual information sessions for building owners. Exemptions are available for unoccupied properties, ongoing demolition, or lack of energy service during the reporting year.

SB 2260 requires owners of large Rhode Island buildings (25,000+ gross square feet) to annually report energy and water usage data using the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager tool. Buildings over 50,000 sq ft must start reporting by May 15, 2028, while those between 25,000-49,999 sq ft begin in 2030. The law mandates reporting of metrics like energy use intensity, greenhouse gas emissions, and compliance status to the Office of Energy Resources, which will publish this data publicly. This affects commercial, residential, and campus properties, aiming to increase transparency about building energy performance without imposing new energy efficiency standards.

HB 7726, the Solar Cost Reduction Act, streamlines permitting for residential solar installations by creating a statewide automated platform. It requires municipalities to adopt a "smart solar permitting platform" that instantly issues permits for compliant applications (like rooftop solar systems under 25 kW) without manual review, while banning additional engineering documentation for eligible projects. Homeowners and installers benefit from faster permits, electronic submissions, and remote inspection options by 2027, while municipalities retain authority over local fees and retain all permit revenue. The bill also establishes a public repository of all local solar ordinances to standardize requirements across the state.