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3/17/2026
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Legislators introduce bills to lower carbon emissions from state and municipal buildings, hospitals
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STATE HOUSE — Rep. Jennifer Boylan, Sen. Meghan E. Kallman and Sen. Lori Urso have introduced a pair of bills to ensure state and municipal buildings and major hospitals meet clean energy standards.
“Modernizing public buildings standards is an investment that will pay off for Rhode Island for years to come,” said Representative Boylan (D-Dist. 66, Barrington, East Providence). “Adopting modern, efficient heating, cooling, and construction techniques will cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health and ultimately save our cities, towns and state money. The technology to decarbonize our buildings has matured. With one third of our carbon emissions coming from buildings, the best time to act is when a new building is constructed or when a substantial renovation is planned.”
Beginning Jan. 1, 2028, both bills would prohibit the installation or use of any heating system that uses fossils fuels in new construction and substantial renovations, with an exemption for emergency backup power systems.
“Building a sustainable Rhode Island is a team effort and government, from the state to the town level, needs to lead by example,” said Senator Urso (D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket). “As we transition our buildings to renewable heating and water sources, it makes sense to start with government buildings. It will not only meaningfully reduce Rhode Island’s carbon emissions, it will also send a message to the private sector that there are feasible solutions to our pressing climate challenges.”
The first bill (2026-H 7081, 2026-S 2529), sponsored by Representative Boylan and Senator Urso, would apply to new construction and substantial renovations of state and municipal buildings, with exemptions for situations where compliance is neither reasonable nor feasible, as determined by the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council.
Municipalities could also apply to the Rhode Island State Building Code Standards Committee for a waiver if compliance with these requirements would place an undue burden or hardship on the municipality.
“This bill gives Rhode Island a practical roadmap for constructing new buildings that are both cost-effective and climate-friendly,” said David Caldwell, president of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and former president of the RI Builders Association. “I’m confident it will save taxpayers money while helping us meet our climate goals.”
The second bill (2026-H 7541, 2026-S 2569), sponsored by Representative Boylan and Senator Kallman, would apply to new construction and substantial renovations of major hospitals, defined in the bill as large, comprehensive acute care facilities that offer extensive specialized services, advanced technology, emergency capabilities and significant research and teaching roles.
“Now is not the time for Rhode Island to retreat from its climate commitments to lower our carbon emissions. And we cannot make meaningful progress while ignoring our buildings,” said Senator Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, Providence). “Among buildings, hospitals are especially important because they require a lot of energy and operate 24/7. This can mean a lot of carbon in our atmosphere, but with clean electric heating solutions, it doesn’t have to. Reducing the emissions produced by our buildings is an essential piece of Rhode Island’s climate solution.”
A report from the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources and the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers found that about one third of the state’s carbon emissions come from heating buildings.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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