Energy

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 3080: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- THERMAL ENERGY NETWORK AND JOBS ACT

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.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes thermal energy networks as a renewable energy infrastructure development initiative in Rhode Island, aligning with clean energy goals.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 8294: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- ABANDONED PROPERTY

This bill modifies the state's abandoned property laws to allow for the sale of buildings and properties that have been declared public nuisances, with specific provisions for installing energy storage systems. When a court orders the sale of such properties, it can require the buyer to install an energy storage system as a condition of the sale, and these systems would be automatically permitted under local zoning rules without additional environmental reviews. The legislation also establishes a priority system for distributing sale proceeds, giving preference to buyers who commit to affordable housing, owner-occupancy restrictions, or energy storage installation. These changes apply to properties under receivership where public nuisance abatement has been completed or approved, affecting municipalities, receivers, and potential property buyers.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates installation of energy storage systems on sold properties and exempts them from zoning reviews, promoting energy infrastructure development.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 7879: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- THERMAL ENERGY NETWORK AND JOBS ACT

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.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFacilitates study of thermal energy networks for potential implementation, aligning with renewable/efficient energy infrastructure exploration per topic indicators.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

vetoed · Rhode Island · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 7183: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BUILDING BENCHMARKING AND REPORTING ACT OF 2026

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.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy benchmarking for large buildings to drive efficiency gains, using ENERGY STAR data transparency to promote reduced energy use and emissions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates GHG emissions tracking for large buildings, promoting transparency and data-driven environmental protection under climate action framework.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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vetoed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 2260: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BUILDING BENCHMARKING AND REPORTING ACT OF 2026

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.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy use reporting for large buildings to improve efficiency and track emissions, aligning with energy efficiency goals and climate targets.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates GHG emissions reporting for large buildings, promoting transparency and climate action through data-driven environmental accountability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3224: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- QUONSET DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

This bill prohibits the Quonset Development Corporation from allowing any thermal waste conversion facilities, such as pyrolysis plants, to be built or operated within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park. The legislation defines these facilities as those that use high heat to turn solid waste into energy or fuel and applies to all land managed by the corporation. It includes a "sunset clause" that will automatically end the ban on February 1, 2027, unless renewed. Additionally, the law protects any projects already underway before the bill takes effect from being shut down.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly bans thermal waste conversion facilities (pyrolysis) that produce energy, restricting renewable energy development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 8400: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- QUONSET DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

This bill prohibits the Quonset Development Corporation from approving or operating thermal waste conversion facilities, such as pyrolysis plants, within the Quonset Point/Davisville Industrial Park. The law defines these facilities as those that use high heat to turn solid waste or biomass into fuels, energy, or chemicals and applies to all land managed by the corporation. It includes a "sunset clause" that will automatically end the prohibition on February 1, 2027, allowing such facilities to be considered again after that date. Additionally, the bill protects any projects that were already lawfully started before it takes effect from being shut down immediately.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts thermal waste conversion facilities, limiting renewable energy development and waste-to-energy infrastructure.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 7726: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- SOLAR COST REDUCTION ACT

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.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyStreamlines solar permitting for residential systems, reducing barriers and accelerating renewable energy adoption through automated permits and eliminated documentation requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 7269: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- NET METERING -- PORTABLE SOLAR GENERATION DEVICES

Excludes portable solar generation devices intended primarily to offset part of a customer's electricity consumption from the definition of eligible net-metering system.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill excludes portable solar devices from net metering eligibility, restricting consumer access to renewable energy incentives and weakening clean energy adoption for portable systems.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

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passed · Rhode Island · House Apr 3, 2026

HB 7738: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE

Establishes a moratorium on changes to the state energy conservation code from the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code until January 1, 2031, unless approved by the legislature and made effective by the governor.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyMoratorium on energy code updates prevents stronger conservation standards, restricting progress toward efficiency goals.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentMoratorium blocks updates to energy conservation code, preventing stricter environmental standards and conservation requirements until 2031.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

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