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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - 2021 ACT ON CLIMATE

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Cortvriend, Blazejewski, Kazarian, Ruggiero,
Donovan, Speakman, Knight, McEntee, and Alzate

     Date Introduced: February 10, 2021

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. The title of Chapter 42-6.2 of the General Laws entitled "Resilient Rhode

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

CHAPTER 42-6.2

Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014 - Climate Change Coordinating Council

CHAPTER 42-6.2

2021 ACT ON CLIMATE

     SECTION 2. Sections 42-6.2-1, 42-6.2-2, 42-6.2-3, 42-6.2-7 and 42-6.2-8 of the General

Laws in Chapter 42-6.2 entitled "Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014 - Climate Change

Coordinating Council" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     42-6.2-1. Creation -- Members.

     There is hereby established within the executive branch of state government a Rhode Island

executive climate change coordinating council (the "council") comprised of officials from state

agencies with responsibility and oversight relating to assessing, integrating, and coordinating

climate change efforts. The council shall include, but not be limited to, the following members: the

director of the department of environmental management; the executive director of the coastal

resources management council; the director of the department of administration; the director of the

department of transportation; the director of the department of health; the director of the emergency

management agency; the commissioner of the office of energy resources; the director of the

division of planning; the executive director of the Rhode Island infrastructure bank; the

administrator of the division of public utilities and carriers; the chief executive officer of the Rhode

Island public transit authority; the secretary of the executive office of health and human services;

and the chief executive officer secretary of the Rhode Island commerce corporation.

     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 infrastructure, and prepare for the

effects on climate change, including, but not limited to, coordinating vulnerability assessments

throughout state government;

     (2)(i) No later than December 31, 2017 December 31, 2025, and every five (5) years

thereafter, submit to the governor and general assembly a an updated plan, following an opportunity

for public comment, that includes strategies, programs, and actions to meet economy-wide

enforceable targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions as follows:

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

     (B) Forty-five percent (45%) below 1990 levels by 2035 2030;

     (C) Eighty percent (80%) below 1990 levels by 2050 2040;

     (D) Net-zero emissions by 2050.

     No action shall be brought pursuant to: subsection (a)(2)(i)(B) of this section before 2031,

pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(i)(C) of this section before 2041, and pursuant to subsection

(a)(2)(i)(D) of this section before 2051.

     (ii) The plan shall also include procedures and public 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.

     (iii) The plan shall address in writing the annual input that is provided to the council by its

advisory board, as set forth in § 42-6.2-4, and its science and technical advisory board, as set forth

in § 42-6.2-5, in their reports to the council.

     (iv) If a plan directs an agency to promulgate regulations, then the agency must do so by

either issuing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking, as set forth in § 42-35-2.5, no later than

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six (6) months after the plan is released or by issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking, as set forth

in § 42-35-2.7, no later than one year after the plan is released, unless the plan specifies another

timeframe for an advance notice of rulemaking or a notice of rulemaking.

     (v) The plan shall include an equitable transition to climate compliance for environmental

justice populations, redress past environmental and public health inequities, and include a process

where the interests of and people from populations most vulnerable to the effects of climate change

and at risk of pollution, displacement, energy burden, and cost influence such plan.

     (vi) The plan shall identify support for workers during this equitable transition to address

inequity in the state by creating quality and family-sustaining clean energy jobs that pay wages and

benefits consistent with or that exceed area wage and labor standards. The plan shall provide for

the development of programs that directly recruit, train, and retain those underrepresented in the

workforce, including women, people of color, indigenous people, veterans, formerly incarcerated

people, and people living with disabilities.

     (vii) The requirements under this subsection shall be subject to the enforcement provisions

of § 42-6.2-10 effective in 2026.

     (viii) No later than December 31, 2022, the council shall submit to the governor and the

general assembly an update to the greenhouse gas emission's reduction plan dated "December

2016" which shall not be subject to the requirements of § 42-6.2-2(a)(2)(ii) through (a)(2)(vi). No

action shall be brought pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(viii) of this section before 2023.

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

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

vulnerability, food security, 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 on climate change;

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

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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.

     42-6.2-3. Support for the council.

     To support the council's work, state agencies shall:

     (1) Assist the council in implementing the provisions of this chapter;

     (2) Develop short-and long-term greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies and track

the progress of these strategies;

     (3) To Lead by example and, to the maximum extent feasible, purchase alternative fuel,

hybrid, and electric vehicles that produce lower total emissions of greenhouse gases and develop

programs to encourage state employees to reduce their vehicle miles and use sustainable

transportation alternatives, including public transit systems;

     (4) Implement programs to achieve energy savings in state and municipal buildings to

reduce greenhouse gases, reduce expenditures on energy, and stimulate economic and job

development;

     (5) Increase the deployment of in-state generation of renewable energy and energy

efficiency;

     (6) Support efforts to expand Rhode Island's green economy and develop green

infrastructure;

     (7) Assess the vulnerability of infrastructure and natural systems, including, but not limited

to, roads, bridges, dams, and wastewater and drinking water treatment facilities, and riverine and

coastal habitats, to impacts on climate change and recommend implement strategies to relocate or

protect and adapt these assets;

     (8) Work with relevant academic institutions and federal agencies to assess the threats of

sea level rise, erosion and storm surge, and communicate these assessments and threats, along with

potential tools to address them, to state agencies and affected communities;

     (9) Develop plans, policies, and solutions based on the latest science to ensure the state

continues to have a vibrant coastal economy, including protection of critical infrastructure, and a

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vibrant and resilient food system that can provide affordable access to healthy food for all Rhode

Islanders;

     (10) Develop a climate and health profile report that documents the range of Address

recommendations to reduce health impacts associated with climate change and identifies protect

the most vulnerable populations most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and at risk of

pollution, displacement, energy burden, and cost;

     (11) Encourages municipalities to incorporate climate change adaptation into local hazard

mitigation plans and, when feasible, into hazard mitigation projects; and

     (12) Take affirmative steps to eliminate and avoid duplication of effort through consistent

coordination between agencies and programs, and pooling of resources, so as to make the most

cost-efficient use of the state resources and provide the most effective services.; and

     (13) Foster public transparency by developing public metrics and an online public

dashboard that shall track both emissions reductions and sources of energy consumed by the state.

The metrics and the dashboard shall be updated at least annually.

     42-6.2-7. Reporting.

     No later than May 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, the council shall issue a report of its

findings, recommendations, and progress on achieving the purposes and requirements of this

chapter.

     42-6.2-8. Powers and duties of state agencies -- Exercise of existing authority.

     Consideration of Addressing the impacts on climate change shall be deemed to be within

the powers, and duties, and obligations of all state departments, agencies, commissions, councils,

and instrumentalities, including quasi-public agencies, and each shall be deemed to have and to

exercise among its purposes in the exercise of its existing authority, the purposes set forth in this

chapter pertaining to climate change mitigation, adaption adaptation, and resilience in so far as

climate change affects the its mission, duties, responsibilities, projects, or programs of the entity.

Each agency shall have the authority to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to meet the

greenhouse gas emission reduction mandate established by § 42-6.2-9.

     SECTION 3. Chapter 42-6.2 of the General Laws entitled "Resilient Rhode Island Act of

2014 - Climate Change Coordinating Council" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following

sections:

     42-6.2-9. Statewide greenhouse gas emission reduction mandate.

     Mandatory targets for emissions reduction:

     It is hereby established that the state shall reduce its statewide greenhouse gas emissions

to the targets set forth in § 42-6.2-2(a)(2)(i), as those targets may be from time to time be revised,

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and that achieving those targets shall be mandatory under the provisions of this chapter. The targets

at the time of the enactment of this act are that greenhouse gas emissions shall be ten percent (10%)

below 1990 levels by 2020, shall be forty-five percent (45%) below 1990 levels by 2030; eighty

percent (80%) below 1990 levels by 2040, and shall be net-zero emissions by 2050.

     42-6.2-10. Enforcement.

     (a) The provisions of this chapter may be enforced by means of an action in the superior

court seeking either injunctive relief, a declaratory judgment, a writ of mandamus or any

combination thereof, for:

     (1) Climate plans required by § 42-6.2-2(a)(2); or

     (2) The greenhouse gas emissions reduction mandate required by § 42-6.2-9.

     (b) No such action may be commenced without the plaintiff providing written notice of the

violations of this chapter to defendants at least sixty (60) days prior to filing a legal action in

superior court. Where the defendant is a government entity, no costs or fees shall be awarded if a

court determines that substantive action was taken during the sixty (60) day period. No such action

shall be brought before 2026.

     (c) Unless otherwise authorized in this chapter, no such action shall be brought prior to

2026.

     (d) Venue for such actions shall be proper in the superior court.

     (e) The Rhode Island attorney general, any Rhode Island resident and any Rhode Island

corporation, company, organization, nonprofit or other Rhode Island legal entity or organization

registered with the Rhode Island secretary of state may bring a civil action to enforce this chapter.

     (f) The court may award costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney and expert

witness fees) to any substantially prevailing party. Provided, however, nothing in this section shall

restrict any right which any person (or class of persons) may have under any statute or common

law.

     42-6.2-11. Liberal construction.

     This chapter, being necessary for the welfare of the state and its inhabitants, shall be

liberally construed so as to effectuate its purposes.

     42-6.2-12. Severability.

     If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part of this chapter shall be adjudged by any

court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, that judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate

the remainder of the chapter but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph,

section, or part directly involved in the controversy in which that judgment shall have been

rendered.

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     SECTION 4. 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 - 2021 ACT ON CLIMATE

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     This act would establish a statewide greenhouse gas emission reduction mandate.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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