Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Decarbonization Act of 2024 to promote and develop benchmark standards for energy performance in buildings and the usage of clean energy in Rhode Island.

Highlights:

• Defines building improvement tool as an online tool to help building owners improve the efficiency of their buildings and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through tracking methods (Sec. 2).

• Defines building performance standard as a numeric value noted for a building to achieve in their energy performance (Sec. 2).

• Defines energy benchmarking tool as the Energy STAR portfolio manager online tool that has been created by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to rate building performances along with the EC4 (Sec. 2).

• Establishes the green building advisory committee to implement and create energy benchmark requirements and establish other programs for outreach and education about climate change (Sec. 2).

• Establishes the environmental justice advisory board of 9-15 individuals who represent and create programs for communities impacted by poverty, inequality, and environmental injustice (Sec. 2).

• Requires information that is collected in the benchmarking program to include the following: (Sec. 2):

• Telephone number and contact information for the building owner;

• Address of the building and its dimensions;

• Total energy use of the building in kBTU and greenhouse gas emissions in pounds; and

• Breakdown summaries of electricity and gas use.

• Requires EC4 to develop procedures for submitting physical and electronic records of building data and performance (Sec. 2).

• Requires EC4 to provide technical support for energy improvement and funding for the implementation of new technology (Sec. 2).

• Requires EC4 to evaluate building energy performance benchmarks at least once every 5 years (Sec. 2).

• Requires energy performance standards to be in line with reaching net zero by 2050 (Sec. 2).

• Establishes programs to promote compliance and provide exemptions in the case that it is necessary for the building (Sec. 2).

• Requires new buildings to be electric ready and use electric energy throughout (Sec. 3).

• Requires guidelines surrounding electric ready new buildings to be proposed by September 1, 2024 (Sec. 3). 

Full Bill Text