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.
Increases the maximum penalty for certain violations related to the cutting, removal, damage by injurious liquids or gases to trees, plants and shrubs on any public highway or public land under the jurisdiction of state agencies from $500 to $1,000.
This bill prohibits Rhode Island landfills from using artificial turf to cover compacted solid waste after July 1, 2026, except for existing installations installed before that date. It requires the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRC) to track artificial turf disposal volumes and include annual reports on this data. The bill also establishes a pilot program testing native plants and pollinator-friendly grass mixes as landfill cover, with results due by January 1, 2028. These changes apply to all sanitary landfills operated under RIRC's oversight.
Creates legal cause of action for persons/insurers to recover losses resulting from climate disaster against petroleum product producers based upon strict liability for deceptive/false statements as to climate impacts.
SB 2656 creates a program requiring manufacturers of packaging and paper products to cover the costs of recycling those materials. It directly affects companies that produce consumer packaging (like food containers) and paper goods (like cardboard). The key provision shifts the financial responsibility for recycling from taxpayers to producers, who must fund collection, processing, and recycling programs for their products. This aims to improve recycling rates for these items by making producers accountable for their end-of-life management. The bill is currently in the Senate Environment and Agriculture committee after its introduction on February 27, 2026.
Modifies the definition of “intentionally added PFAS” to mean PFAS that are deliberately added during the manufacturing of a covered product to perform a specific function.
Prohibits applications for a comprehensive permit under the Rhode Island comprehensive planning and land use regulation act in any watershed overlay protection district located in the town of Tiverton.
Requires all major hospitals within the state constructed or substantially renovated or expanded on or after 1/1/2028 to use renewable energy sources for power.
SB 2521 requires Rhode Island electricity providers (obligated entities) to gradually increase the share of renewable energy in their retail electricity sales, starting at 3% in 2007 and rising to 9.5% by 2032, with the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2033. The bill mandates that providers meet these targets for each electricity product sold to end-use customers, excluding voluntary renewable energy purchases by customers from counting toward the requirement (except in specific municipal aggregation plans). Compliance can be achieved by purchasing renewable energy credits (NE-GIS certificates) or making payments to a renewable energy development fund. The bill also directs the energy commission to assess in 2024 whether voluntary renewable purchases should be allowed to count toward the annual targets.
Proposes a bond measure authorizing the State of Rhode Island to issue up to $100,000,000 in general obligation bonds, subject to voter approval, to fund coastal preparedness and resilience projects.
