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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
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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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