Skip to main content
H 7623Energy Efficiency

State Affairs and Government - Department of Administration - State Construction Projects Metrics

State construction projects costing over $10 million must now complete a checklist regarding environmental impact and energy efficiency.

Held for study
Population
Affected
25
Email Legislator
Introduced Feb 11, 2026Committee House Environment and Natural Resources

Plain-English Summary

This legislation mandates that the state Division of Planning create an environmental and energy checklist for any state construction project managed by the Department of Administration that costs more than $10 million. Project managers must complete this checklist, considering factors such as flood risks, stormwater management, energy efficiency, and access to public transit. The completed checklist must be signed, certified, and made available to the public. While the bill ensures these environmental factors are considered during the design phase, it does not require the project to meet specific approval standards from the Division of Planning to proceed.

For younger readers

When the state government plans to spend a lot of money (over 10 million dollars) to build a new building, this law says they have to fill out a special checklist first. This list makes sure the builders think about whether the building is safe from floods and big storms. It also asks if the building will use energy wisely and if people can get there easily by walking or taking the bus. The person in charge has to sign the paper to promise they thought about these important things before they start building.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups
State Project ManagersDepartment of AdministrationConstruction ContractorsTaxpayersEnvironmental Advocacy Groups
Impacted communities
All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost
Amount unknown
Estimated revenue
None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints
For Progressives
  • Promotes environmental justice and sustainability by forcing state planners to consider climate change impacts, such as flooding and storm resilience, ensuring public funds support long-lasting, safe infrastructure.
  • Encourages the adoption of green technologies and energy efficiency standards (like LEED) in public buildings, which aligns with goals to reduce the state's carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Prioritizes community accessibility by explicitly requiring the consideration of public transit, pedestrian, and bicycle access to new state facilities, fostering a more inclusive transportation network.
  • Lacks enforcement "teeth" because the bill explicitly states the checklist does not need to be completed to the satisfaction of the Division of Planning, potentially allowing managers to ignore the findings without consequence.
  • Sets a high monetary threshold of $10 million, meaning many smaller state construction and renovation projects will escape this environmental scrutiny and energy efficiency review.
  • Fails to mandate the actual implementation of renewable energy or stormwater strategies, requiring only that they be "considered" rather than adopted, which may result in performative compliance rather than systemic change.
For Conservatives
  • Encourages fiscal responsibility by requiring an analysis of present value costs and savings for HVAC systems, potentially saving tax dollars on long-term utility and maintenance costs.
  • Protects state assets and taxpayer investments by ensuring expensive infrastructure projects are evaluated for flood risks and resilience before construction begins.
  • Maintains project management autonomy by explicitly stating that the checklist does not grant the Division of Planning veto power over construction projects, preventing potential bureaucratic gridlock.
  • Creates additional bureaucratic red tape and administrative burdens for state construction projects, which could slow down development and increase overhead costs.
  • Institutionalizes a "green" agenda within government operations by mandating consideration of LEED standards and renewable energy, which may lead to higher upfront construction costs for taxpayers.
  • Expands the scope of government oversight by involving multiple agencies (Division of Planning, Office of Energy Resources) in the management of construction projects that should be straightforward.

Votes

Loading votes...

Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 35 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 42-11 of the General Laws entitled "Department of Administration" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 42-11-22. State construction projects metrics.

(a) The state division of planning, in conjunction with the division of capital asset management and maintenance and the office of energy resources, shall prepare an environmental and energy checklist for all state construction projects under the purview of the department of administration which exceed ten million dollars ($10,000,000) in cost.

(b) The environmental and energy checklist shall consider the following issues:

(1) Coastal flooding during storm surges in one hundred (100) and five hundred (500) year flood events on the site for the project;

(2) Other flooding during one hundred (100) and five hundred (500) year flood events on the site for the project;

(3) Resilience of facilities at the site to coastal and other flooding during one hundred (100) and five hundred (500) year flood events for the project;

(4) Impact of the project on flooding and stormwater management for neighboring properties, particularly vulnerable state facilities;

(5) Alternative stormwater management strategies;

(6) Energy efficiency of the facility and any intentions to pursue leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) or other similar standards for the project;

(7) Any present value costs/savings/comparisons/evaluations used for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems;

(8) Intentions and plans to use efficient, renewable or any alternative energy sources on the project;

(9) Access to public transit, pedestrians and bicycles; and

(10) Any other environmental and energy issues that the department of administration deems necessary, critical, and relevant to the long-term success of the project.

(c) Once created, the planning division shall make the checklist available to those persons within the department of administration who are responsible for the management of the state construction projects meeting the criteria set forth in subsection (b) of this section. The person responsible for the management of the construction project shall complete the checklist and shall sign it and certify that it will be maintained and placed with all other publicly accessible construction project materials, in accordance with applicable retention records policies.

(d) Nothing in this section shall require the checklist to be completed to the satisfaction of the division of planning, as the intent of this section is to consider the substance contained in the checklist during the design and construction phases of a building construction project.

(e) Where possible, other branches, departments, agencies, and institutions of the state shall create and consider a similar checklist, where applicable.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.