Energy (Energy Storage) in Rhode Island

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 ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Energy Storage

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 2800: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- ABANDONED PROPERTY

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.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Energy Storage

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7808: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 7808 exempts energy storage systems (as defined in § 39-33-1) from Rhode Island's sales and use taxes. This change directly affects businesses that manufacture, install, or purchase these systems, removing a tax burden on their transactions. The bill amends Section 44-18-30 of the General Laws to add energy storage systems as a new category of exempt gross receipts. The exemption applies to sales, storage, use, or consumption of these systems within the state, aligning them with existing tax-exempt categories like school meals or newspapers. The bill is currently in the introduction stage (referred to House Finance on 2/12/2026).

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Energy Storage

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2449: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

SB 2449 proposes to exempt energy storage systems from sales and use taxes in the state, as defined in § 39-33-1. This change would directly affect businesses selling these systems, as they would no longer collect sales tax on such transactions. The bill amends existing tax law by adding a new exemption category under "Gross receipts exempt from sales and use taxes." The exemption covers the sale and use of energy storage systems within the state, aligning with existing tax exemptions for items like newspapers and school meals. The bill was introduced on February 6, 2026, and referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Energy Storage

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 7506: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

HB 7506 exempts sales tax on batteries that store solar power for on-site use (behind-the-meter systems) when connected to solar photovoltaic installations. This directly affects homeowners, businesses, and property owners purchasing such battery systems for solar energy storage. The bill amends the state's sales tax code to add this exemption under existing tax categories, removing the sales tax burden specifically for these renewable energy storage components. It does not change tax rates for other items or create new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Energy Storage Renewable Energy Solar

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 7878: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS ACT

Requires that the electric distribution company and the commission promulgate tariffs to address interconnection of energy storage systems and to provide compensation for at least 100 mega watts of energy storage systems sited in the state.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Energy Storage Transmission Utility Regulation

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 9, 2026

SB 2574: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- GENERAL POWERS

SB 2574 prohibits cities and towns from banning or restricting the sale, ownership, or use of powered landscaping equipment (like leaf blowers, lawn mowers, and trimmers) based solely on its fuel or power source (e.g., gasoline, electric, or battery). The law allows municipalities to still enforce reasonable noise regulations, equipment usage hours, or safety rules that don’t target specific power types. Existing local bans on such equipment based on power source remain valid if in place before the law takes effect, but new or amended rules restricting equipment by power type are void. This directly affects landscaping businesses, property owners, and municipal governments regulating outdoor equipment use.

Topics ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Energy Storage

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2026

SB 2244: AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION -- SALES AND USE TAXES -- LIABILITY AND COMPUTATION

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Energy Storage Solar

All energy bills