Bill > S2229

This bill mandates that by June 30, 2027, the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Office of Energy Resources, must establish regulations requiring all school buildings to achieve "zero energy capable" status by December 31, 2037. "Zero energy capable" means a building generates as much renewable energy on-site as it consumes annually, or it consumes energy equivalent to on-site generation plus off-site renewable energy and purchased renewable energy certificates. The regulations will allow local school districts flexibility in accessing state and federal funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy systems without penalty to their state housing aid. Furthermore, for districts pursuing federal funding for solar panels, the regulations will guide them on building, owning, and operating these systems according to federal tax law. The bill also amends existing definitions to include "zero energy capable" and adjusts provisions related to school housing aid to incentivize high-performance school design and energy efficiency upgrades, including a ten percent increase in housing aid for projects meeting the zero energy capable standard. The School Building Authority will also be required to include progress towards and recommendations for achieving zero energy capable status in its needs surveys starting in 2026 and will hire staff to help schools meet these energy standards.

Budget and Finance

https://status.rilegislature.gov/