RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- 2021 ACT ON CLIMATE
H7531 would repeal Rhode Island’s entire “2021 Act on Climate” chapter, eliminating the statutory framework that currently governs the state’s climate change coordinating council, advisory boards, reporting requirements, and statewide greenhouse gas reduction mandates. The bill would remove the legal requirement that the state pursue economy-wide emissions targets of 45% below 1990 levels by 2030, 80% below 1990 levels by 2040, and net-zero by 2050, along with the associated planning, public metrics, and agency coordination provisions.
Because the repeal is complete, the bill would also erase the enforcement mechanism that allows the attorney general, residents, and certain Rhode Island entities to sue to compel compliance with climate plans or emissions targets. In effect, the measure would substantially roll back the state’s existing climate governance structure and replace mandatory climate obligations with no comparable statutory substitute in this bill.
If enacted, the bill would repeal Chapter 42-6.2 of the Rhode Island General Laws in its entirety, removing the statutory duties of the executive climate change coordinating council, its advisory boards, and related agency responsibilities. It would also eliminate the enforceable statewide greenhouse gas reduction mandate and the legal cause of action created to enforce climate plans and emissions targets, thereby changing the obligations of state agencies, municipalities, and regulated parties that have been operating under the 2021 Act on Climate.
The bill text and caption indicate a clear deregulatory or repeal-oriented approach, but the provided context includes no committee transcript or recorded votes to show direct debate or formal support/opposition. Based on the substance of the measure, the likely sentiment would be sharply divided, with supporters viewing it as a rollback of climate mandates and opponents viewing it as a major setback for climate policy, resilience planning, and emissions reduction efforts.
The central point of contention is the repeal of mandatory greenhouse gas reduction targets and the associated enforcement provisions. Supporters of repeal would likely object to the costs, regulatory burden, and litigation exposure created by the 2021 Act on Climate, while opponents would likely argue that eliminating the law would weaken Rhode Island’s ability to address climate change, protect environmental justice communities, and coordinate long-term resilience planning. The bill also affects state agencies, municipalities, workers in the clean energy transition, and residents who currently have standing to enforce the law.