S 2219Renewable Energy

State Affairs and Government - 2021 Act on Climate

This legislation mandates studies on renewable energy supply chains, regulates solar and wind disposal, and restricts credits for unethical technologies.

Introduced

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Introduced Jan 23, 2026Committee Senate Environment & Agriculture

Plain-English Summary

This bill amends Rhode Island's climate and energy laws to address the environmental and ethical implications of renewable energy technologies. It requires state officials to study whether local climate policies negatively impact developing countries through mining, labor abuses, or toxic pollution. The bill mandates annual reports on the origin of nickel used in electric vehicle batteries. It also introduces strict requirements for solar permits, demanding proof of funds for future recycling. Furthermore, it regulates wind turbine blade disposal and prohibits renewable energy credits for technologies produced using slave labor, child labor, or specific toxic chemicals after July 2027.

For younger readers

This law helps make sure that clean energy, like solar panels and wind turbines, is made in a way that is fair and safe. It asks the government to check if the materials used for batteries come from places that treat workers badly. It also requires companies building solar farms to save money now so they can clean up the panels later. Additionally, the law says the state won't give special rewards to energy companies if they use dangerous chemicals or force children to work to make their equipment. It wants to make sure clean energy is truly good for everyone.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Solar energy developersWind energy operatorsElectric utilitiesEnvironmental agenciesRatepayers

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

The provision prohibiting renewable energy credits based on materials processed outside the United States (Section 3) could potentially face challenges under the Foreign Commerce Clause, as it restricts state benefits based on foreign commerce activities. However, the state may argue the "market participant" exception applies since it controls the credit program. Additionally, defining "slave labor" based on UN standards avoids some vagueness, but state interference in foreign affairs is generally scrutinized.

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Promotes global environmental justice by requiring studies to ensure the state's transition to green energy does not inadvertently exploit workers or destroy ecosystems in developing nations.
Strengthens labor rights by prohibiting renewable energy credits for technologies produced with slave or child labor, thereby aligning state financial incentives with international human rights standards.
Ensures corporate accountability by mandating that solar developers set aside funds for decommissioning and recycling, preventing the public from bearing the financial burden of future cleanup.
Could significantly slow the transition to renewable energy by imposing strict manufacturing restrictions that may disqualify a large portion of currently available solar and wind technologies.
May increase the cost of green energy projects, potentially making them less accessible to low-income communities and delaying the state's ability to meet urgent climate goals.
The requirement to dispose of or recycle wind turbine blades within the state could create logistical bottlenecks and environmental burdens locally if adequate recycling facilities do not exist.

For Conservatives

Exposes the potential hypocrisy of green energy mandates by highlighting the reliance on slave labor and environmentally destructive mining practices in foreign countries.
Protects taxpayers and landowners by requiring solar developers to prove they have the money to clean up their equipment, preventing abandoned infrastructure from becoming a public liability.
Disincentivizes reliance on foreign adversaries and unethical supply chains by banning energy credits for products made with slave labor or specific toxic chemicals often used abroad.
Expands government bureaucracy by mandating multiple new annual studies and reports regarding international supply chains and chemical compositions.
Interferes with the free market by empowering state regulators to dictate which energy technologies qualify for credits based on complex manufacturing criteria.
Imposes heavy regulatory burdens on businesses, such as requiring specific disposal methods for wind blades and financial assurances for solar permits, which drives up operational costs.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 62 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 42-6.2 of the General Laws entitled "2021 Act on Climate" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections: 42-6.2-7.1. Study of impact to developing countries.

(a) The council, pursuant to the council's responsibility and oversight in accordance with the provisions of § 42-6.2-1, shall study, make determinations and report to the speaker of the house, the president of the senate and the governor whether any enacted legislation or programs or policies adopted or implemented by the state or any of its subdivisions or agencies has the effect of shifting environmental impact of carbon-free energy technologies onto impoverished and developing countries, including, but not limited to:

(1) Disclosing human rights abuses and labor conditions of workers mining, manufacturing, and recycling carbon-free energy technologies and the materials of which carbon- free energy technologies are composed;

(2) Disclosing the environmental impacts of copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel, and neodymium mining;

(3) Disclosing the traceability of mining supply chains used in carbon-free energy technology products; and

(4) Documenting the effects of toxic pollution resulting from the decommissioning, recycling, and disposal of carbon-free energy technology products.

(b) The report required pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be submitted to the speaker of the house, the president of the senate and the governor annually on or before January 15. 42-6.2-8.1. Nickel supply study. The council shall conduct an annual study that calculates the amount of the element nickel that is contained in electric vehicle batteries and in energy storage facilities sold or constructed in the state. The study shall also identify the country, state or province of origin of the nickel. The study shall be completed no later than November 1, of each year, beginning in 2027, and shall be distributed to the speaker of the house, president of the senate, and the governor. 42-6.2-8.2. Solar panels -- Recycling and decommissioning. No solar energy permit as defined in § 45-68-2 shall be issued unless the permit applicant has committed in writing and submitted evidence demonstrating that sufficient resources shall be available and set aside to pay for the decommissioning and recycling of the photovoltaic panels comprising the solar electric generating systems at the end of their useful life.

SECTION 2. Chapter 23-18.9 of the General Laws entitled "Refuse Disposal" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 23-18.9-19. Disposal of wind turbine blades. Blades from a decommissioned or repowered wind energy conversion system operating in this state shall be disposed of or recycled within this state, unless the blades are to be recycled into a useful byproduct, upon approval by the department of environmental management after consultation with the council, at a facility located outside of the state.

SECTION 3. Chapter 39-26.4 of the General Laws entitled "Net Metering" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 39-26.4-6. Disposal of wind turbine blades.

(a) The division of public utilities and carriers ("division") shall create a program for tradable renewable energy credits for electricity generated by eligible energy technology. The credits shall represent energy produced by an eligible energy technology, and the program shall be implemented in coordination with the provision of chapter 82 of title 23.

(1) Each kilowatt-hour of renewable energy credits shall be treated the same as a kilowatt- hour of eligible energy technology generated or procured by an electric utility if it is produced by an eligible energy technology.

(2) The program shall permit a credit to be used only once. The program shall treat all eligible energy technology equally and shall not give more or less credit to energy based on where in the state the energy was generated or the technology with which the energy was generated. The division shall determine the period in which the credits may be used for purposes of the program.

(b) In lieu of generating or procuring energy directly to satisfy the eligible energy technology objective of chapter 82 of title 23 and chapter 6.2 of title 42, an electric utility may utilize renewable energy credits allowed under the program to satisfy the objective.

(d) The division shall promulgate rules and regulations requiring all electric utilities to participate in an approved credit-tracking system or systems and establishing protocols for trading credits; provided, however, after July 1, 2027, no renewable energy credit shall be authorized if the credit is associated with electricity generated from a facility:

(1) Composed of materials excavated, processed, or manufactured outside the United States that uses slave labor, or child labor, as determined by the United Nations International Labor Organization; or

(2) For which silicon tetrachloride, cadmium, lead, or a chemical listed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a known or suspected carcinogen or genotoxin was used in its manufacturing process.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.