RI House Pushes Bold Clean Energy Bill to Slash Emissions

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island House lawmakers advanced H 7617 on Feb. 15, 2024, introduced by Reps. Lauren H. Kislak, Madeline A. Cortvriend, Matthew J. Carson, and others, establishing a program for energy and water benchmarking of large buildings to curb greenhouse gas emissions. The bill aligns with the Act on Climate, targeting building sector reductions to meet state environmental goals amid ongoing efforts to decarbonize Providence's skyline and coastal communities vulnerable to rising seas.

This push follows Gov. Dan McKee's 2022 signing of historic legislation (2022-H 7277A, 2022-S 2274Aaa), making Rhode Island the first U.S. state to require 100% of its electricity offset by renewables by 2033. The law ramps up the Renewable Energy Standard with annual increases: 4% in 2023, 5% in 2024, 6% in 2025, 7% in 2026-2027, and higher through 2032, replacing prior 1.5% increments. By 2026, the state targets a 7% jump, pressuring utilities like National Grid to source more solar and offshore wind from Block Island and beyond.

Complementing these efforts, Rhode Island taps $63 million from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act for home energy rebates: $32 million for Home Efficiency Rebates (HER) requiring 20% energy cuts, and $31 million for income-restricted Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR), launching moderate-income paths soon after September 2024. Critics, including Republicans, argue aggressive renewables hike bills, with proposals to scale back mandates circulating in the General Assembly.

The Building Decarbonization Act, echoed in advocacy for H 7617, mandates benchmarking, performance standards, and electric-ready construction to slash emissions from structures dominating downtown Providence and Newport. As the Ocean State races toward climate resilience, these measures could save residents on energy costs while fortifying against storms battering Narragansett Bay.