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H7182 • 2026

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Limits the development of utility scale solar energy projects.)

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Limits the development of utility scale solar energy projects.)

Energy Land
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Fascia, Chippendale, Quattrocchi, Santucci, Place, Perez, Fellela
Last action
2026-03-19
Official status
Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-19 Committee

    Committee recommended measure be held for further study

  2. 2026-03-13 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (03/19/2026)

  3. 2026-01-21 Rhode Island General Assembly

    Introduced, referred to House Corporations

Official Summary Text

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES (Limits the development of utility scale solar energy projects.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H7182

2026 -- H 7182
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LC003627
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
____________
A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES

Introduced By:
Representatives Fascia, Chippendale, Quattrocchi, Santucci, Place, Perez,
and Fellela

Date Introduced:
January 21, 2026

Referred To:
House Corporations
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 45-24 of the General Laws entitled "Zoning Ordinances" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following section:
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45-24-46.6. Utility scale solar energy projects.

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(a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the development of utility
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scale solar projects shall be limited to projects where the free-standing solar energy structure is on
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property where the structure is providing energy to an urban area of residential properties, a
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commercial property or otherwise occupying other developed accessory portions of a residential or
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commercial property to include, but not be limited to, roof tops, parking lots and developed
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property.
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(b) Forested land, farmland, undeveloped property consisting of one acre or more and other
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rural areas of land shall not be utilized for utility scale solar projects.
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(c) For purposes of this section "a utility scale solar project" means a project that produces
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ten megawatts (10 MW) or more of energy, or produces electricity for sale pursuant to the
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provisions of chapter 26.4 of title 39.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC003627
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES
***
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This act would limit where utility scale solar projects can be developed to projects where
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the free-standing solar energy structure is on property where the structure is providing energy to an
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urban area of residential properties, a commercial property or otherwise occupying other developed
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accessory portions of a residential or commercial property. Development in forested and other rural
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areas of land would be prohibited.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003627
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