RI H7484

Cities and towns would be prohibited from issuing construction permits for new "large developments" — defined as projects on parcels greater than 50,000 sq. ft. with buildings collectively exceeding 50,000 sq. ft. of gross building area — for applications submitted after December 31, 2026, unless the development demonstrates it can meet 100% clean energy usage by 2050 through a required carbon impact report.

Carbon impact reports must be prepared by an independent firm of building professionals (such as licensed architects or engineers) assessing whether the proposed development will meet all building energy needs — including heating, cooling, water heating, cooking, and clothes drying — with 100% clean energy by 2050, with electricity presumed to be 100% renewable by that date.

A modification allowing limited use of natural gas or oil infrastructure may be granted if the local permitting body finds that an all-electric design is physically or technically infeasible (financial considerations alone are not sufficient), such as when building code requirements cannot be met without gas/oil or when a commercial food service establishment cannot feasibly operate with available electric appliances.

Exemptions from the permit restriction are provided for buildings used solely or primarily as hospitals, medical facilities, laboratories for biological research, or restaurants.

The act would take effect upon passage and would be added as Chapter 6.3 of Title 42 of the Rhode Island General Laws, titled the "Buildings Carbon Emissions Reduction Act."