Environment

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 7739: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY AND WORKS -- THE GREEN BUILDINGS ACT

HB 7739, the Green Buildings Act, requires all new state or municipal public buildings over 10,000 square feet and major renovations of existing public buildings over 10,000 square feet to meet green building standards. It mandates compliance with LEED certification or equivalent standards (like Green Globes) for projects not in design before July 1, 2023, and ties this requirement to building permits. The law directly affects public schools receiving state funding, state agencies, and municipalities managing public facilities. A new 17-member Green Buildings Act Commission will oversee implementation and approve equivalent standards. This policy aims to reduce energy costs, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions in public infrastructure.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates LEED/Green Globes for public buildings, directly promoting energy efficiency and sustainable infrastructure per Green Building Act.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates LEED-certified green buildings for public projects, reducing environmental impact through energy efficiency and sustainable construction standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Climate Change Recycling

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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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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 2661: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- OFFSHORE WIND PROCUREMENT POLICY COMMISSION

SB 2661 establishes a study commission to examine offshore wind energy procurement in Rhode Island. The bill creates the "Affordable Clean Energy Security Act" to direct the commission to study how public utilities and carriers can implement offshore wind energy projects. This study will assess potential policies and strategies for Rhode Island's energy transition, directly affecting the state's public utilities and transportation carriers. The bill is currently in the Senate Environment and Agriculture committee after being introduced on February 27, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes commission to study offshore wind implementation, directing policies for renewable energy transition in public utilities and carriers.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates commission to study offshore wind implementation under 'Affordable Clean Energy Security Act', directly promoting clean energy transition for Rhode Island's utilities and carriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Wind

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 8127: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Amends the Rhode Island Transit Authority (RIPTA) board composition by adding the Rhode Island Climate Community to the groups given due consideration for appointment to the board.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdds Rhode Island Climate Community to RIPTA board, ensuring climate considerations in transit planning and aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2437: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REFUSE DISPOSAL

Authorizes the department of environmental management to issue and enforce rules and regulations to implement and enforce the provisions of the food waste ban.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnforces food waste ban via environmental management, reducing landfill waste and methane emissions95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling Waste Management

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 7, 2026

HB 7675: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- COMPOSTING AND ORGANIC WASTE DIVERSION

HB 7675 establishes a $2-per-ton surcharge on solid waste disposal (paid by waste haulers and landfill operators) to fund composting initiatives. The revenue flows into a dedicated "Compost Fund," which supports three grant programs: competitive grants for composting projects, municipal waste diversion grants (available only to towns that opt-in), and infrastructure development. The bill directly affects waste disposal entities and municipalities, aiming to reduce landfill use by incentivizing organic waste diversion. Key provisions include quarterly surcharge collection starting in 2027, annual adjustments tied to inflation or a 20% increase, and requiring funds to stay within the Compost Fund rather than returning to the general state budget.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes $2/ton surcharge on waste disposal to fund composting initiatives via dedicated Compost Fund, directly increasing state revenue allocation for environmental programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds composting initiatives via $2/ton waste surcharge to reduce landfill use, directly advancing waste diversion and environmental protection through dedicated grant programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing State Budget Recycling Waste Management

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2546: AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY -- STATE FORESTS AND FORESTRY PROJECTS

Directs the general assembly to fund ten full time equivalent positions in FY 2027 to support DEM's efforts in the areas of forestry and forestry projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly directs funding for 10 forestry positions, supporting budgetary appropriations for state programs under DEM.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds DEM forestry positions to support forest management and conservation, directly advancing environmental protection through resource allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Forestry

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 2659: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- 2021 ACT ON CLIMATE

Requires the governor, when presenting his proposed budget articles for each fiscal year to set forth the climate considerations that were undertaken to move the state towards the mandated goals set forth in the 2021 Act on Climate.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires climate considerations in budget to meet 2021 Act on Climate goals, advancing renewable energy transition and climate policy implementation.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires governor to include climate considerations in budget to advance state climate goals, directly supporting environmental protection and climate action mandates.90% confidence

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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 · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2531: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- PLASTIC WASTE CONVERSION FACILITY ACT

SB 2531 prohibits the construction and operation of new plastic waste conversion facilities in Rhode Island by banning permits for such projects. The bill specifically targets facilities marketed as "chemical," "advanced," or "molecular" recycling (including those using gasification, pyrolysis, or depolymerization) that process plastic waste into fuels or chemicals. It defines these facilities broadly, regardless of their marketing claims or claimed efficiency, and states they disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color due to toxic emissions and environmental risks. The law applies immediately upon passage, preventing new facilities from obtaining state approvals while acknowledging existing operations.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBans facilities producing fuels from plastic waste, blocking an alternative energy production method despite environmental focus.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill bans plastic waste conversion facilities (e.g., chemical recycling) to prevent environmental harm, aligning with pollution control and conservation goals as stated in the summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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