Creates the multi-unit residential decarbonization initiative program to provide funding for feasibility studies to convert large, multi-family residential units to non-emitting renewable geothermal energy.

Rhode Island Multi-Unit Residential Decarbonization Initiative – Plain English Summary

This bill would create a new state program called the Multi-Unit Residential Decarbonization Initiative, designed to help large apartment buildings and multi-family housing complexes explore switching from traditional heating and cooling systems to geothermal energy. Geothermal systems use the natural, stable temperature of the earth to heat and cool buildings without burning fossil fuels. The program would provide funding for feasibility studies, meaning it would pay for the research and analysis needed to determine whether a specific building could practically and affordably make this kind of switch.

The bill primarily affects owners and residents of large multi-family residential buildings in Rhode Island, such as apartment complexes. Building owners could apply for funding to study whether geothermal conversion would work for their property. This is an early-stage step — the program funds the *study* of conversion, not the conversion itself — so it's meant to help property owners understand their options before committing to a major project.

More broadly, the bill is part of Rhode Island's broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, which are a significant source of carbon pollution. By focusing on large multi-family buildings rather than single-family homes, the program could potentially help a large number of residents at once, including renters who typically have little control over how their building is heated or cooled.

As of early 2026, the bill has been introduced and referred to the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, where it has been scheduled for a hearing but recommended to be held for further study, meaning it has not yet advanced through the legislative process.