Energy

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 2777: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Provides that effective July 1, 2026, the profit margin of any electric distribution company or distributor of natural gas, would not exceed four percent (4%), in any given calendar year.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill caps utility profit margins at 4%, which restricts utility company financial flexibility and could limit investment in energy infrastructure and services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Utility Regulation

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2801: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- SOLAR COST REDUCTION ACT

This bill creates a statewide automated permitting system to speed up the approval process for residential solar energy installations in Rhode Island. It requires the state to develop an online platform that automatically checks applications for code compliance and issues permits instantly without manual review for eligible systems up to 25 kilowatts. Municipalities must accept these automated permits or provide equivalent systems, while also establishing a centralized online repository of local solar regulations and offering remote inspection options by 2027. The system is designed to reduce paperwork requirements, eliminate unnecessary stamped drawings for smaller systems, and allow electronic submissions and signatures throughout the permitting process.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates automated permitting for residential solar installations, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and reducing barriers to solar adoption.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates automated permitting system and online platform for solar installations, advancing technology infrastructure and digital processes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar Social Media

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HR 8271: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $1,000,000 TO 401 TECH BRIDGE TO STUDY AND EXPLORE SEAGLIDERS IN RHODE ISLAND

This bill appropriates $1,000,000 to 401 Tech Bridge to study and explore the use of seagliders in Rhode Island. The funding is intended to support a feasibility study that will assess how these electric, wing-in-ground-effect vehicles could operate in the state's maritime environment. The money will be used in partnership with the Rhode Island Seaglider Initiative to evaluate potential benefits for transportation, economic development, and environmental sustainability. This resolution directly affects 401 Tech Bridge and the organizations involved in the Rhode Island Seaglider Initiative by authorizing the expenditure of state funds for this research project.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $1,000,000 in funding for a feasibility study, directly advancing state budget allocation for research and development.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill funds study of seagliders, which are electric vehicles, advancing renewable energy and clean transportation technology in maritime environments.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds seaglider study for environmental sustainability, clean energy exploration, and maritime environment assessment.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates $1M to study seagliders for potential transportation benefits, indicating support for innovative transportation solutions.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending Bridges Ports

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2765: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- THE GREEN BUILDINGS ACT

This bill establishes the Green Buildings Act Commission, a 17-member body tasked with overseeing the implementation of green building standards for public construction projects. The legislation requires that all new or significantly renovated public facilities larger than 10,000 square feet meet specific environmental certification standards, such as LEED, SITES, or equivalent high-performance benchmarks, as a condition for receiving building permits and certificates of occupancy. Public school facilities receiving state funding must comply with these standards or the Northeast Collaborative for High-Performance Schools Protocol. The Department of Administration's State Building Office will provide administrative support and funding to the commission, while public agencies must submit required reports and information to ensure compliance with the new requirements.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates green building standards and environmental certifications for public facilities, promoting energy efficiency and sustainable construction practices.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes Green Buildings Act requiring environmental certification for public buildings, advancing environmental protection and sustainable construction standards.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2805: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- AFFORDABLE CLEAN ENERGY SECURITY ACT

Excludes nuclear power from the office of energy resources and division of public utilities from participation, procuring and entering into long-term contracts.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill restricts nuclear power participation in energy contracts, limiting clean energy infrastructure development and reducing energy security options.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear Renewable Energy

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 2764: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD

Expands RI’s Renewable Energy Standard to include nuclear and hydroelectric power as eligible zero-emission resources and sets rules for how they qualify.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill expands renewable energy standard to include nuclear and hydroelectric power as zero-emission resources, advancing clean energy infrastructure and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands renewable energy standard to include nuclear and hydroelectric power as zero-emission resources, advancing clean energy goals and reducing emissions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hydroelectric Nuclear Renewable Energy

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2905: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DECARBONIZATION DEMONSTRATION INITIATIVE ACT OF 2026

Creates the multi-unit residential decarbonization initiative program to provide funding for feasibility studies to convert large, multi-family residential units to non-emitting renewable geothermal energy.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates funding program for geothermal energy conversion in multi-family residential units, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure and decarbonization goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates funding for feasibility studies to convert multi-family residential units to non-emitting renewable geothermal energy, directly advancing environmental protection and climate change mitigation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds decarbonization of multi-family residential units, improving housing sustainability and potentially reducing long-term energy costs for tenants.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 2797: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- MORATORIUM ON NET METERING, LONG-TERM CONTRACTS AND SUBSIDIES FOR HEAT PUMPS

This bill would temporarily halt several renewable energy programs in Rhode Island starting January 1, 2027. It stops new net metering agreements that allow customers to sell excess solar or wind power back to the grid, prohibits the state from signing long-term contracts over five years for purchasing solar or wind energy, and bars state funds from subsidizing heat pump purchases or installation. These changes directly affect utility customers, energy providers, and state agencies that currently participate in or administer these programs. The legislation does not prevent existing contracts from continuing but blocks new enrollments in these specific renewable energy initiatives.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts renewable energy programs and cuts subsidies, reducing government spending on clean energy initiatives and limiting future funding allocations.85% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill halts renewable energy programs, stops net metering, bans long-term solar/wind contracts, and eliminates heat pump subsidies, directly restricting clean energy development.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill halts renewable energy programs, net metering, and heat pump subsidies, directly restricting clean energy adoption and environmental protections.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts renewable energy technology adoption by halting net metering, long-term solar contracts, and heat pump subsidies, limiting access to clean energy technologies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Renewable Energy Solar Wind

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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

Sub-Topics Energy Storage

died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2776: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Requires that certain data centers requiring large amounts of electricity be required to fund the cost of necessary infrastructure improvements to supply such electricity.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill requires data centers to fund infrastructure improvements for electricity supply, supporting energy infrastructure development and grid reliability.75% confidence

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