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.

Provides that energy storage systems located on abandoned or contaminated property be permitted by right as a permitted use and not considered to have negative environmental impacts.

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.

This Senate resolution (SR 2354) requests the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to end a cost-sharing mechanism for gas line extensions in Rhode Island Energy's tariffs. Currently, all gas customers pay for new connections to the gas system through a "gas line extension allowance," which the resolution argues locks in long-term gas infrastructure conflicting with climate goals. The request specifically targets Docket 25-45-GE, where Rhode Island Energy is proposing rate adjustments, and asks the PUC to eliminate this allowance as part of those changes. The resolution directly affects all gas customers by removing a shared cost for new infrastructure.