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.
HB 7877 establishes mandatory energy and water efficiency standards for specific commercial appliances and equipment purchased or installed after January 1, 2025. It directly affects businesses like restaurants, hotels, and offices that buy or install equipment such as commercial dishwashers, fryers, ovens, steam cookers, servers, fans, faucets, and gas fireplaces. The bill requires these products to meet minimum efficiency levels defined in the law, aligning with federal standards for certain items. These standards aim to reduce energy and water consumption in commercial settings without specifying enforcement details or expected environmental outcomes.
Establishes a moratorium on changes to the state energy conservation code from the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code until January 1, 2031, unless approved by the legislature and made effective by the governor.
Permits a tenant, at the tenant’s expense, to implement energy conservation measures to any dwelling or dwelling unit such as removable weather-stripping around doors and windows.
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)
SB 2516 repeals the energy efficiency charge previously included in utility base rates for electricity and water providers. This bill removes a specific fee that utilities had been allowed to add to customer bills to fund energy efficiency programs. The repeal does not affect existing funding for renewable energy programs (which continue at 0.3 mills per kilowatt-hour until 2028) or demand-side management programs for electricity and gas utilities. The bill directly affects regulated utilities distributing electricity, water, or gas, as it eliminates one cost they could pass to customers.
HB 7880 creates a tiered subsidy program to make home energy costs affordable for low-income households earning 150% of the federal poverty level or less. It requires large electric and gas utilities (with over 100,000 customers) to file income-based discount plans by January 2027, capping energy costs at 3% of income for non-electric heat users or 6% for electric heat users. Utilities must cover the cost of these discounts - plus administrative expenses - through adjusted rates paid by all customers, not just low-income households. The Public Utilities Commission must approve these plans by January 2028, and enrolled customers will receive fixed monthly discounts while being offered energy efficiency programs.
Establishes a five (5) year moratorium from July 1, 2026, until June 30, 2031, on the RE growth program charge, renewable energy distribution charge and the energy efficiency programs public policy charges on electricity bills.
SB 2222 establishes a fee on fossil fuel sellers (like gasoline, diesel, and natural gas companies) operating in Rhode Island. The collected fees will fund the "Economic and Climate Resilience Fund," which will support clean energy programs, energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households and small businesses, and worker transition initiatives for jobs in low-carbon industries. The bill aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address climate impacts disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities, and help Rhode Island meet its 2035 emissions goals. This is a proposed legislative measure introduced in January 2026 and not yet enacted.
HB 7174 repeals a 0.3 mills per kilowatt-hour charge on electricity that funded renewable energy programs in Rhode Island, ending this specific funding mechanism effective December 31, 2028. The bill directly affects electric distribution companies, which previously collected this fee to support renewable energy initiatives like solar installations and energy efficiency projects. This change removes a dedicated funding source for renewable energy programs without altering separate demand-side management charges for energy efficiency or gas utility programs. The repeal simplifies utility billing by eliminating this specific renewable energy funding stream.
