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

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 2655: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION SITING AND REGULATORY ACT

Requires applications for energy facilities to take into consideration the 2021 Act on Climate and how the facility may advance or delay the greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires energy facility applications to advance greenhouse gas emissions reductions per climate law, directly supporting clean energy transition and emissions goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires energy facility applications to consider advancing greenhouse gas reductions per 2021 Climate Act, directly aligning with emissions reduction goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Transmission Climate Change

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 7611: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD

HB 7611 amends Rhode Island's renewable energy standard, requiring electric utilities (obligated entities) selling electricity to retail customers to gradually increase their renewable energy supply. Starting at 3% in 2007, the required renewable percentage escalates annually, reaching 9.5% by 2044 with a target of 100% renewable electricity for all Rhode Island demand by that year. The bill includes a 2% cap on using existing renewable resources toward the goal and allows compliance through NE-GIS certificates or alternative payments to a development fund. It also exempts pre-2022 power contracts from later-year requirements until their contract end dates.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates increasing renewable energy percentages for utilities, reaching 100% by 2044, directly advancing renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates renewable energy requirements escalating to 100% by 2044, directly advancing clean energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 2654: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND CLEAN HEAT STANDARD ACT

SB 2654 establishes a Rhode Island Clean Heat Standards Program requiring heating providers to meet annual clean heat targets through a system of tradeable credits. Providers using cleaner heating sources (like renewable energy) earn credits they can sell to others who fall short of their targets. This market-based system aims to gradually increase the use of clean heat across the state without mandating specific technologies. The program directly affects heating providers, utilities, and businesses using significant thermal energy in Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill establishes Clean Heat Standard with tradeable credits to increase clean heat use, promoting renewable energy sources and reducing fossil fuel dependence through market-based targets.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes market-based clean heat targets requiring providers to use renewable energy sources, directly reducing emissions and promoting clean energy adoption in heating systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7655: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Permits a tenant, at the tenant’s expense, to implement energy conservation measures to any dwelling or dwelling unit such as removable weather-stripping around doors and windows.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPermits tenant-installed energy conservation measures (e.g., weather-stripping), directly increasing residential energy efficiency per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill permits tenants to install removable energy conservation measures at their expense, directly enhancing tenant rights and reducing energy costs (a tenant protection under housing topic).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2520: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

Terminates the requirement that the public utilities commission allocate five million dollars ($5,000,000) annually to the Rhode Island infrastructure bank for use with energy efficient programs.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyTerminates $5M annual funding for energy efficiency programs, defunding a key initiative supporting renewable energy infrastructure.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 2646: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- RHODE ISLAND INSURANCE MARKET PROTECTION ACT

Regulates property insurers to limit underwriting and investment in fossil fuel projects, requires climate risk reporting and emissions disclosures, and aligns insurance practices with science-based climate targets.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyLimits insurer investments in fossil fuels, requires climate disclosures, and aligns with science-based climate targets, reducing fossil fuel dependence.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRegulates insurers to limit fossil fuel investments, mandates climate risk reporting, and aligns with science-based climate targets, directly advancing environmental protection.95% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 7912: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- RHODE ISLAND CLEAN HEAT STANDARD ACT

Creates the Rhode Island clean heat standards act to implement a system of tradeable clean heat credits earned from the delivery of clean heat measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates tradeable clean heat credits to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, directly advancing renewable energy adoption and clean heat infrastructure standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates tradeable clean heat credits to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, directly advancing climate action and pollution control.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 8167: AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL FUNDS AND PROPERTY

HB 8167 requires the Department of Education to create and implement regulations for "energy capable" school buildings. This bill directly affects public school districts and state-funded schools by mandating new building standards. The key provision is the development of specific regulations governing energy efficiency or capabilities in school construction and renovations. The bill focuses on establishing these regulatory requirements, without specifying exact energy targets or timelines. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates energy efficiency regulations for school buildings, improving infrastructure as an indicator of support per bill focus on building standards for public schools.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates energy efficiency regulations for school buildings, advancing energy capability standards without fossil fuel opposition or restrictions.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates energy efficiency regulations for school buildings, reducing energy consumption and supporting environmental protection through building standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 7531: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- 2021 ACT ON CLIMATE

HB 7531 repeals Rhode Island's 2021 Act on Climate in its entirety, removing the state's legally established greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and associated requirements. This bill directly affects state agencies, the Climate Change Council (created under the repealed law), and all entities subject to the prior climate regulations. The repeal eliminates mandatory targets like 45% below 1990 emissions by 2030 and 80% by 2040, along with the Council's duties to develop plans, coordinate climate efforts, and address environmental justice. The law was introduced in the 2026 legislative session and would remove all provisions of the original 2021 climate law.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRepeals 2021 Act on Climate, eliminating legally mandated emission targets (45% by 2030, 80% by 2040) and associated requirements, directly weakening climate and clean energy standards.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals Rhode Island's 2021 Act on Climate, eliminating legally mandated greenhouse gas emission targets (45% by 2030, 80% by 2040) and regulatory requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Environmental Justice

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