AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BUILDING DECARBONIZATION ACT OF 2024

This bill creates a program to track energy and water use in large commercial buildings in Rhode Island, aiming to help the state reach its net-zero emissions goal by 2050. It requires buildings with at least 25,000 square feet of floor area to report their performance using tools like the EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and sets future standards for how efficiently these buildings must operate. Owners of covered properties who do not meet these standards or reporting requirements may have to pay a compliance fee instead. The Office of Energy Resources will manage the program, develop rules for implementation, and ensure enough staff and funding are available to carry it out.