Renewable Energy
Browse Rhode Island bills in Renewable Energy with plain-language AI summaries.
Recent Bills
43 billsS3272PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARDRenewable EnergyThis bill requires electric companies to offer 30-year contracts with fixed, escalating pricing for large renewable energy systems.SenateCommittee heardMay 8, 2026H8519PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARDRenewable EnergyThis bill allows nuclear and large-scale hydroelectric power to count toward the state's renewable energy requirements and eases utility regulations.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMay 6, 2026S3080BPUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- THERMAL ENERGY NETWORK AND JOBS ACTRenewable EnergyRequires public utilities to study and potentially build thermal energy networks to heat and cool buildings.SenatePlaced on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)Mar 13, 2026H8294APROPERTY -- ABANDONED PROPERTYRenewable EnergyThis bill makes it easier to install energy storage systems on abandoned and previously contaminated properties by easing zoning rules.HousePlaced on Senate Calendar (06/10/2026)Mar 13, 2026S2762BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- RESIDENTIAL SOLAR ENERGY DISCLOSURE AND HOMEOWNERS BILL OF RIGHTS ACTRenewable EnergyAllows homeowners to temporarily suspend solar energy contract payments if their home is destroyed or rendered uninhabitable.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 4, 2026S2800AaaPROPERTY -- ABANDONED PROPERTYRenewable EnergyThis bill streamlines zoning approvals and prioritizes the sale of abandoned or contaminated properties for energy storage system installations.SenateHouse passed Sub A as amended in concurrenceMar 4, 2026S2797PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- MORATORIUM ON NET METERING, LONG-TERM CONTRACTS AND SUBSIDIES FOR HEAT PUMPSRenewable EnergyThis bill bans new net metering contracts, long-term state solar/wind purchases, and state subsidies for heat pumps.SenateIntroduced, referred to Senate Environment and AgricultureMar 4, 2026S2801PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- SOLAR COST REDUCTION ACTRenewable EnergyThis bill creates an automated online system to speed up permitting and inspections for residential solar energy installations.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 4, 2026S2805PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- AFFORDABLE CLEAN ENERGY SECURITY ACTRenewable EnergyThis bill amends existing law to prohibit the state and utility companies from making contracts to buy or develop nuclear power.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 4, 2026S2905STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DECARBONIZATION DEMONSTRATION INITIATIVE ACT OF 2026Renewable EnergyProvides forgivable loans to large residential building owners to study the feasibility of converting to geothermal heating systems.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyMar 4, 2026S2764APUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARDRenewable EnergyThis bill updates the state's renewable energy rules to include nuclear and large-scale hydroelectric power as zero-emission resources.SenateCommittee heardMar 4, 2026H7879APUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- THERMAL ENERGY NETWORK AND JOBS ACTRenewable EnergyThis bill requires public utilities to study and potentially build thermal energy networks to heat and cool buildings.HousePlaced on Senate Calendar (06/11/2026)Feb 27, 2026S2658PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PORTABLE SOLAR GENERATION DEVICERenewable EnergyThis bill allows residents to use small, plug-in solar panels without needing permission from or paying fees to the electric company.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 27, 2026H7876PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- AFFORDABLE CLEAN ENERGY SECURITY ACTRenewable EnergyThis bill removes nuclear power from the list of energy sources the state is authorized to plan for and purchase.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 27, 2026H7878PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS ACTRenewable EnergyMandates electric companies pay incentives to energy storage systems that connect to overloaded parts of the power grid.HouseWithdrawn at sponsor's requestFeb 27, 2026H7889PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION -- UTILITY OWNERSHIP OF ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITIESRenewable EnergyAllows electric distribution companies to own, operate, and construct power generating facilities built or acquired after January 1, 2025.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 27, 2026H8132STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- DECARBONIZATION DEMONSTRATION INITIATIVE ACT OF 2026Renewable EnergyEstablishes a forgivable loan program for large apartment buildings to study the feasibility of switching to geothermal heating.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 27, 2026S2661PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- OFFSHORE WIND PROCUREMENT POLICY COMMISSIONRenewable EnergyS2661 creates a commission to plan and recommend regulations for procuring 1,200 megawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.SenateIntroduced, referred to Senate Environment and AgricultureFeb 27, 2026S2645APUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONRenewable EnergyThis bill allows electric distribution companies to own new power generation facilities while requiring strict labor and wage standards.SenateSenate voted to recommit to Senate CommerceFeb 27, 2026S2533STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- ENERGY FACILITY SITING ACTRenewable EnergyThis bill expands the energy siting board and requires energy companies to pay for host communities' legal and study costs.SenateIntroduced, referred to Senate Environment and AgricultureFeb 13, 2026S2516PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- DUTIES OF UTILITIES AND CARRIERSRenewable EnergyEliminates ratepayer funding for state energy councils and the infrastructure bank, and removes third-party management of energy programs.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 13, 2026S2521PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARDRenewable EnergyThis bill delays the deadline for Rhode Island to achieve 100% renewable electricity from the year 2033 to 2044.SenateCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 13, 2026H7727PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- OFFSHORE WIND PROCUREMENT POLICY STUDY COMMISSIONRenewable EnergyCreates a commission to study and plan how Rhode Island will reach its 2030 offshore wind energy goals.HouseCommittee recommended measure be held for further studyFeb 12, 2026H7726APUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS -- SOLAR COST REDUCTION ACTRenewable EnergyThis bill speeds up residential solar panel installations by creating an automated, instant online permitting system for the state.HouseReferred to Senate Environment and AgricultureFeb 12, 2026