2017 -- S 0108

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LC000507

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RESILIENT RHODE ISLAND

ACT OF 2014 - CLIMATE CHANGE COORDINATING COUNCIL

     Introduced By: Senators Conley, Sosnowski, Nesselbush, Crowley, and Coyne

     Date Introduced: February 01, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Environment & Agriculture

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 42-6.2-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 42-6.2 entitled "Resilient

Rhode Island Act of 2014-Climate Change Coordinating " is hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-6.2-2. Purpose of the council.

     (a) The council shall have the following duties:

     (1) Assess, integrate, and coordinate climate change efforts throughout state agencies to

reduce emissions, strengthen the resilience of communities, and prepare for the effects of climate

change, including, but not limited to, coordinating vulnerability assessments throughout state

government;

     (2)(i) No later than December 31, 2016, submit to the governor and general assembly a

plan that includes strategies, programs, and actions to meet targets for greenhouse gas emissions

reductions as follows:

     (i)(A) Ten percent (10%) below 1990 levels by 2020;

     (ii)(B) Forty-five percent (45%) below 1990 levels by 2035;

     (iii)(C) Eighty percent (80%) below 1990 levels by 2050;

     (iv)(D) The plan shall also include procedures and metrics for periodic measurement, not

less frequently than once every five (5) years, of progress necessary to meet these targets and for

evaluating the possibility of meeting higher targets through cost-effective measures.

     (ii) The plan shall specifically study the effectiveness of the state and/or multi-state

carbon pricing program to incentivize institutions and industry to reduce carbon emissions. The

study shall include the effectiveness of allocating revenues generated from such carbon pricing

program to fund enhanced incentives to institutions and industry for targeted efficiency measures;

projected emissions reductions; economic impact to businesses; any economic benefits to Rhode

Island and impacts to the state's economic competitiveness if the program were implemented.

     (3) Advance the state's understanding of the effects of climate change including, but not

limited to, sea level rise, coastal and shoreline changes, severe weather events, critical

infrastructure vulnerability, and ecosystem, economic, and health impacts, including the effects of

carbon pollution on children's health;

     (4) Identify strategies to prepare for these effects and communicate them to Rhode

Islanders, including strategies that incentivize businesses, institutions and industry to adapt to

climate change;

     (5) Work with municipalities to support the development of sustainable and resilient

communities;

     (6) Identify and leverage federal, state, and private funding opportunities for emission

reduction and climate change preparedness and adaption work in Rhode Island;

     (7) Advise the governor, the general assembly, and the public on ways to ensure that

Rhode Island continues to be a national leader in developing and implementing strategies that

effectively address the challenges of climate change;

     (8) Work with other New England states to explore areas of mutual interest to achieve

common goals; and

     (9) Identify and facilitate opportunities to educate the public about climate change and

efforts throughout state agencies and municipalities to address climate change.

     (b) The council is encouraged to utilize the expertise of Rhode Island universities and

colleges in carrying out the duties described in subsection (a) of this section, specifically to

ensure that the state's efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change are based on the best

available scientific and technical information, and to optimize the contribution by the universities

and colleges of their expertise and experience in research, analysis, modeling, mapping,

applications to on-the-ground situations, technical assistance, community outreach, and public

education.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- RESILIENT RHODE ISLAND

ACT OF 2014 - CLIMATE CHANGE COORDINATING COUNCIL

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     This act would direct the climate change coordinating council to study a carbon pricing

program, to incentivize institutions and industry to reduce carbon emissions and would make

several other additions to the council's responsibilities.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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