Requires as part of the solar permit application an assessment on carbon-neutral, a solar permit would only be approved if it was carbon neutral based on the assessment.
SB 2222 establishes a fee on fossil fuel sellers (like gasoline, diesel, and natural gas companies) operating in Rhode Island. The collected fees will fund the "Economic and Climate Resilience Fund," which will support clean energy programs, energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households and small businesses, and worker transition initiatives for jobs in low-carbon industries. The bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address climate impacts disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities, and help Rhode Island meet its 2035 emissions goals. This is a proposed legislative measure introduced in January 2026 and not yet enacted.
SB 2244 exempts behind-the-meter batteries connected to solar photovoltaic systems from Rhode Island's sales tax. This directly affects homeowners and businesses installing solar energy systems with battery storage, reducing their upfront costs. The bill amends tax law to add these battery systems to the list of exempt items under sales tax rules, specifically clarifying that batteries used to store solar energy for on-site use are not taxable. The change aims to lower costs for solar adoption without altering existing tax exemptions for other items like newspapers or school meals.
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 bill amends Rhode Island's Energy Facility Siting Act to expand oversight of regional transmission projects. It requires applicants for major energy facilities (like transmission lines over 69kV or power plants over 40MW) to analyze climate impacts - including greenhouse gas emissions and health effects - and consider grid-enhancing technologies (such as dynamic line rating or advanced power flow control) as alternatives to new infrastructure. The siting board must now evaluate projects based on these new criteria when reviewing applications. The changes directly affect energy developers, utilities, and the board during the permitting process.
Requires the PUC to make public notification of any changes in eligibility or production of energy, and would direct the commission to promulgate rules and regulations to allow and facilitate the prompt public disclosure of this information.
