Northeast

Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the smallest state in the nation and the second most densely populated. Greenhouse gas emissions in the state have risen by 12% from 1990-2021, with the largest increase occurring in the electric power sector. While the majority of the state’s electricity is sourced from natural gas, Rhode Island developed the first commercial-scale wind farm off of Block Island. The state also consumes the lowest amount of energy among U.S. states on a per capita basis.

GHG Reduction Targets

All targets relative to 1990 levels

2030

45%

2040

80%

2050

Net-zero

Governor

Daniel McKee (Democrat)

House Party

Democratic Supermajority

Senate Party

Democratic Supermajority

Legislative session

1/2/24 - 6/14/24

US Climate Alliance Status

Member

Key Offices & Links

30

Policies Enacted or In Progress

across 6 policy areas

See all

32

Policy Opportunities

across 7 policy areas

See all

Northeast

9 states

This map shows the occurrence of climate policies passed at the state-level. Higher numbers represent more climate policies enacted.

Compare with other states

Progress by Policy Area

Enacted
In-progress
Partially Enacted
Not Enacted

Glossary of Terms

Status	Policy	Policy Area	Policy Category	YR Enacted
Not Enacted	Buy Clean Requirements Empty column Buy clean requirements mandate or incentivize the use of low-carbon construction materials, such as concrete and steel, in public projects to address embodied carbon.	Industry, Materials, and Waste Management	Industrial Decarbonization
Enacted	Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Regulations Empty column The state prohibits certain HFCs in specific stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning end-uses. Establishing Policies 250-RICR-120-05-53 (2021)	Industry, Materials, and Waste Management	F-gas Regulations	2021
Not Enacted	Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) Regulations Empty column Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, bans, or other measures that reduce SF6 usage and emissions.	Industry, Materials, and Waste Management	F-gas Regulations
Not Enacted	Fracking Bans Empty column Fracking bans prohibit the practice of hydraulic fracking for the production of oil and/or natural gas by a certain year. Legislation often requires an environmental agency or department to promulgate regulations.	Industry, Materials, and Waste Management	Oil and Gas Regulations
Not Enacted	Oil and Gas Methane Regulations Empty column Oil and gas methane regulations include phasedown commitments, reporting requirements, leak detection and repair, or other measures that reduce methane emissions from oil and gas production.	Industry, Materials, and Waste Management	Oil and Gas Regulations
Enacted	Food Waste Bans and Targets Empty column Food waste ban – The state requires educational entities to recycle organic waste at authorized composting or anaerobic digestion facilities, provided they generate at least 30 tons of organic waste per year and are within 15 miles of an authorized recycling facility. Establishing Policies R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 23-18.9-17 (2014)	Industry, Materials, and Waste Management	Waste Management	2014
Not Enacted	Landfill Methane Regulations Empty column Landfill methane regulations include rulemakings, emissions monitoring, emissions control, or other measures that reduce methane emissions from decaying organic waste in landfills.	Industry, Materials, and Waste Management	Waste Management

Rhode Island

Key Offices & Links

30

32

Northeast

Progress by Policy Area

Climate Governance and Equity

Cross-Sector

Electricity

Buildings and Efficiency

Transportation

Industry, Materials, and Waste Management

Natural and Working Lands

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Rhode Island