AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REFUSE DISPOSAL (Prohibits the construction, expansion or operation of a pyrolysis facility within one mile of a school.)

H8431

2026 -- H 8431
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LC006290
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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 HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REFUSE DISPOSAL

Introduced By:
Representatives Finkelman, Casimiro, Craven, Caldwell, McEntee,
McGaw, Shanley, and Solomon

Date Introduced:
April 10, 2026

Referred To:
House Environment and Natural Resources
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 23-18.9 of the General Laws entitled "Refuse Disposal" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following section:
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23-18.9-19. Siting restrictions for pyrolysis facilities.

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(a) Definitions. As used in this section:
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(1) "Pyrolysis facility" means any facility or operation that thermally decomposes solid
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waste, including plastics or other organic materials, in an oxygen-limited or oxygen-free
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environment for the purpose of producing fuel, gas, oil, char, or other byproducts. The term shall
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include any preprocessing, storage, or handling of feedstock or byproducts conducted as part of
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such operation.
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(2) "School" means any public or private elementary or secondary school, including charter
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schools, approved by the Rhode Island department of education and serving students in any of
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grades kindergarten through twelve (k-12).
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(b) Prohibition.
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Effective July 1, 2026, no person shall site, construct, install, expand, or operate a pyrolysis
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facility within one mile of the property line of any school.
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(c) Measurement.
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The distance required under subsection (b) of this section shall be measured in a straight
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line from the nearest property boundary of the proposed pyrolysis facility to the nearest property
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boundary of the school.

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(d) Permitting.
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The Rhode Island department of environmental management shall not issue any permit,
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license, or approval for a pyrolysis facility that does not comply with the requirements of this
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section.
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(e) Non-waiver.
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The requirements of this section shall be mandatory and shall not be waived by the
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department or any other state or municipal authority.
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(f) Relationship to other laws.
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The provisions of this section shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other applicable
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requirements under this chapter or any other provision of the general laws or regulations.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC006290
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REFUSE DISPOSAL
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This act would prohibit the construction, expansion or operation of a pyrolysis facility
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within one mile of a school.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC006290
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LC006290 - Page 3 of 3