Rhode Island
Governor
Daniel McKee (Democrat)
House Party
Democratic Supermajority
Senate Party
Democratic Supermajority
Electricity market structure
Deregulated
35
34
Northeast
Progress by Policy Area
- Enacted Enacted policies have been passed or established in a state by a governing body via legislation, executive orders, rules, regulations, and/or other program creation, and remain in effect.
- In-progress In progress policies have been established in a state, but final regulations, rules, or plans are pending final approval. This also includes legislation and executive orders that require regulations to be put into effect.
- Partially Enacted Partially enacted policies have been enacted in the state, but are missing one or more policy components. Dashboard policies cannot be considered partially enacted unless policy components are available.
- Not Enacted Not enacted policies have not been passed or established in the state or are no longer in effect.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections in Rhode Island
Climate Policies in Rhode Island
| Status | Policy | Policy Area | Policy Category | Year Enacted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enacted |
Empty column
45% by 2030 | 80% by 2040 | net-zero by 2050 Relative to 1990 levels Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2021 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
Rhode Island Climate Action Strategy 2022 Update to the 2016 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2025 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
The 1990-2023 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory was published in November 2025. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2025 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2021 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) Advisory Board and EC4 Science and Technical Advisory Board Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 2021 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
The Rhode Island Constitution states: “The people shall continue to enjoy and freely exercise all the rights of fishery, and the privileges of the shore, to which they have been heretofore entitled under the charter and usages of this state, including but not limited to fishing from the shore, the gathering of seaweed, leaving the shore to swim in the sea and passage along the shore; and they shall be secure in their rights to the use and enjoyment of the natural resources of the state with due regard for the preservation of their values; and it shall be the duty of the general assembly to provide for the conservation of the air, land, water, plant, animal, mineral and other natural resources of the state, and to adopt all means necessary and proper by law to protect the natural environment of the people of the state by providing adequate resource planning for the control and regulation of the use of the natural resources of the state and for the preservation, regeneration and restoration of the natural environment of the state.” Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Climate Governance | 1986 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
"Environmental Justice Focus Areas" are census tracts where the median household income is less than 65% of statewide median income; at least 40% of the population are minorities; at least 25% of households lack English proficiency; or at least 25% of the population are minorities and the municipality's median household income does not exceed 150% of statewide median income. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2023 | |
| Enacted |
Empty column
RIDEM Environmental Justice Area Map Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | 2023 | |
| Not Enacted |
Empty column
Environmental justice (EJ) community investment requirements help ensure communities most impacted by environmental burdens are benefitting equitably from public programs by requiring a certain percentage of funds and/or benefits from other policies are allocated to EJ communities. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | ||
| Enacted |
Empty column
DEM – Climate Justice Specialist Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | ||
| In-Progress |
Empty column
The Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) must create an Environmental Justice Committee. Establishing Policies
|
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | ||
| Not Enacted |
Empty column
Cumulative impact assessments determine the health and environmental impacts of renewing or granting a permit for certain pollution-generating facilities in environmental justice communities. Increased pollution burdens in communities may result in the permit application being denied. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Environmental Justice and Equity | ||
| Not Enacted |
Empty column
Just transition plans are documents that outline policies and recommendations aimed at supporting communities, workers, and industries affected by the transition away from fossil fuels. The plans often focus on workforce development and retraining, job creation, and economic diversification. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition | ||
| Not Enacted |
Empty column
Just transition offices and staff assist workers and communities transitioning away from fossil fuel extraction and use, typically through retraining programs and support with relocation and economic diversification. Offices and staff also coordinate with other state agencies to effectively design policy to achieve a just transition. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition | ||
| Not Enacted |
Empty column
Just transition advisory bodies write or advise on a state's just transition plan or report, and make recommendations on ways to support affected workers, communities, and industries. The bodies can consist of all non-government members, or be a mix of government and non-government members. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition | ||
| Not Enacted |
Empty column
Just transition funds support initiatives and investments aimed at facilitating the equitable transition of workers and communities affected by shifts in industries or policies that transition from fossil fuels. |
Climate Governance and Equity
|
Just Transition |