S 2530Energy Efficiency

Health and Safety - Biodiesel Products

This bill delays the deadlines for heating oil to contain higher percentages of biodiesel by five years.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Feb 13, 2026Committee Senate Environment & Agriculture

Plain-English Summary

This legislation amends the current timeline for mandated biodiesel content in home heating oil sold in Rhode Island. Under existing law, heating oil must contain increasing percentages of biobased products by specific dates. This bill delays the requirement for heating oil to meet the "B20" standard (20% biodiesel) from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2030. Furthermore, it delays the requirement for the "B50" standard (50% biodiesel) from July 1, 2030, to July 1, 2035. Essentially, it grants fuel providers a five-year extension before they must meet these higher environmental standards.

For younger readers

In Rhode Island, the oil used to heat homes is supposed to get cleaner over time by mixing in special plant-based ingredients, called biodiesel. There was a schedule saying when the oil companies had to add more of this cleaner ingredient. This new rule changes that schedule. Instead of having to add a lot more of the cleaner ingredient by next year, the oil companies are given five extra years to do it. It slows down the plan to make heating oil cleaner.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Heating oil dealersHomeowners with oil heatCommercial building ownersBiodiesel producersEnvironmental advocacy groups

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Mitigates potential immediate heating cost spikes for low-income tenants and homeowners that might occur if suppliers were forced to rush to meet the 2025 deadline.
Prevents supply chain disruptions that could leave vulnerable populations without adequate heating fuel during the winter months if the higher blend is not widely available.
Provides a transition period that may allow for infrastructure upgrades without passing rapid, unaffordable costs directly to working-class consumers.
Delays critical climate action by five years, prolonging the use of dirtier fossil fuels and slowing the state's progress toward net-zero emissions.
Continues the release of higher levels of pollutants into the air for a longer period, which disproportionately affects health outcomes in environmental justice communities.
Demonstrates a lack of political will to enforce environmental mandates when industry pressure is applied, potentially setting a precedent for rolling back other climate goals.

For Conservatives

Reduces the immediate regulatory burden on small business fuel dealers who may not be ready to source or store higher biodiesel blends.
Prevents government mandates from artificially driving up energy prices for families and businesses during a time of economic uncertainty.
Acknowledges market realities and supply chain constraints rather than forcing businesses to comply with arbitrary, government-set deadlines.
Maintains the underlying government mandate that interferes with the free market by dictating what products businesses must sell, merely delaying the date.
Leaves businesses with lingering regulatory uncertainty regarding future requirements rather than removing the mandate entirely.
Does not address the fundamental issue of the state picking winners and losers in the energy sector by favoring biodiesel over other potential heating solutions.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 3 additions · 2 deletions

SECTION 1. Section 23-23.7-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-23.7 entitled "Biodiesel Products" is hereby amended to read as follows: 23-23.7-4. Heating oil biobased products. Notwithstanding any law, rule, regulation, or order to the contrary, and in accordance with the compliance schedule established in this chapter, all No. 2 distillate heating oil sold in the state for residential, commercial, or industrial uses within the state, shall contain, at a minimum, the specified percentage of biobased product, unless the requirement has been suspended pursuant to § 23-23.7-7. The compliance schedule shall be as follows:

(1) Not later than July 1, 2014, all No. 2 distillate heating oil sold in the state shall contain not less than two percent (2%) of a biobased product.

(2) Not later than July 1, 2015, all No. 2 distillate heating oil sold in the state shall contain not less than three percent (3%) of a biobased product.

(3) Not later than July 1, 2016, all No. 2 distillate heating oil sold in the state shall contain not less than four percent (4%) of a biobased product.

(4) Not later than July 1, 2017, all No. 2 distillate heating oil sold in the state shall contain not less than five percent (5%) of a biobased product.

(5) Not later than July 1, 2021, all No. 2 distillate heating oil sold in the state shall at a minimum meet the standards for B5 biodiesel blend and/or renewable hydrocarbon diesel.

(6) Not later than July 1, 2023, all No. 2 distillate heating oil sold in the state shall at a minimum meet the standards for B10 biodiesel blend and/or renewable hydrocarbon diesel.

(7) Not later than July 1, ~~2025~~ 2030, all No. 2 distillate heating oil sold in the state shall at a minimum meet the standards for B20 biodiesel blend and/or renewable hydrocarbon diesel.

(8) Not later than July 1, ~~2030~~ 2035, all No. 2 distillate heating oil sold in the state shall at a minimum meet the standards for B50 biodiesel blend and/or renewable hydrocarbon diesel.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.