Repeals the 2021 Act on Climate which established a statewide greenhouse gas emission reduction mandate in its entirety.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would completely eliminate Rhode Island's 2021 Act on Climate, a law that set specific targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the state. The 2021 Act on Climate required Rhode Island to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 45% below 1990 levels by 2030, and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. If this repeal bill passes, those legally binding targets and the requirements that came with them would no longer exist.

The 2021 Act on Climate affected a wide range of people and industries, including energy companies, businesses, state agencies, and residents — essentially anyone whose activities produce greenhouse gas emissions in Rhode Island. Under that law, state agencies were required to develop plans and take actions consistent with the emissions reduction goals. Repealing it would remove those obligations entirely, meaning state agencies and regulated industries would no longer be legally required to work toward those specific climate targets.

This bill would primarily affect how Rhode Island plans for energy, transportation, and environmental policy going forward. Supporters of repeal might argue the mandates create costs or burdens on businesses and residents, while opponents might argue removing the law weakens Rhode Island's commitment to addressing climate change. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Environment and Agriculture Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.