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.
Requires large developments, those to be constructed on a parcel of land that is greater than 50,000 square feet in size provide carbon impact reports as part of the permitting process prior to approval and issuance of a building permit.
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.
HB 7004 establishes the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act of 2026, requiring fossil fuel producers responsible for over one billion tons of emissions during 2000-2025 to reimburse the state and municipalities for climate adaptation costs. It directly affects major fossil fuel companies (coal, oil, gas producers) determined to have caused significant climate-related damages. The bill creates a fund to cover "climate change response work," including coastal protection, infrastructure upgrades, and heat mitigation projects, using scientifically verified emission attribution methods aligned with IPCC standards. Funds will offset taxpayer costs for climate resilience efforts already underway, following the "polluter pays" principle.
SB 2080 repeals the entire 2021 Act on Climate, which established Rhode Island's statewide greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and created a Climate Change Council. This repeal directly affects state agencies, the Climate Change Council, and any entities previously required to comply with the law's requirements. The bill removes all specific emission targets (like 45% below 1990 levels by 2030) and the council's duties, including developing climate plans, addressing environmental justice, and tracking progress. It does not create new requirements but eliminates the existing legal framework for climate action. The repeal takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Requires the executive climate change coordinating council to evaluate and make recommendations for the use of carbon emissions removal technology as an alternative to reducing carbon emissions and meeting climate goals.
SB 2024, the Rhode Island Climate Superfund Act of 2026, creates a fund to recover costs for climate adaptation projects from fossil fuel companies responsible for significant emissions. It targets companies that extracted or refined fossil fuels and caused over 1 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions between 2000-2025, using a scientific method to calculate their proportional share. The law requires these companies to pay for "climate change response work" like coastal protection, flood infrastructure, heat mitigation, and ecosystem restoration projects already funded by taxpayers. The Department of Environmental Management will manage the fund and identify eligible projects, shifting costs from public budgets to polluters under a "polluter pays" principle.
This bill establishes a permanent commission to study climate change impacts and solutions in Rhode Island. The commission, consisting of 18 members including state agency representatives, environmental groups, business associations, and coastal community members, will examine specific issues like sea level rise, flooding, beach erosion, and infrastructure vulnerabilities. It will analyze adaptation strategies - such as beach nourishment, green infrastructure, and managed retreat - and hold public hearings to gather input from stakeholders. The commission will produce reports on economic, environmental, and social implications to guide state resilience planning, with no compensation for members.
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.
Directs the office of energy resources to develop building performance standards for large buildings in Rhode Island that would cause greenhouse gas emissions to decline in line with the act on climate requirements.
