Requires large developments, those to be constructed on a parcel of land that is greater than 50,000 square feet in size provide carbon impact reports as part of the permitting process prior to approval and issuance of a building permit.

Rhode Island Buildings Carbon Emissions Reduction Act

This bill would require developers planning to build large projects in Rhode Island to submit a "carbon impact report" before they can receive a building permit. Specifically, this requirement would apply to any construction project on a parcel of land larger than 50,000 square feet — roughly the size of a large grocery store or shopping center. The report would need to be reviewed and accepted as part of the standard permitting process before construction could officially begin.

The goal of the carbon impact report would be to give local and state officials a clearer picture of how much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions a large new building is expected to produce — both during construction and through its ongoing operation. This type of information is similar to environmental impact studies already used in some planning processes, but with a specific focus on climate-related emissions.

This bill would primarily affect real estate developers, construction companies, and businesses planning to build large commercial, industrial, or residential developments in Rhode Island. It could also affect local permitting offices, which would need to review these reports as part of their approval process. Smaller construction projects on parcels under 50,000 square feet would not be impacted. Currently, the bill has been referred to the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, where it has been scheduled for further consideration and has not yet advanced beyond the committee stage.