§ 42-6.2-2. Purpose of the council.
(a) The council shall have the following duties:
(1) Assess, integrate, and coordinate climate change efforts throughout state agencies
to reduce emissions, strengthen the resilience of communities and infrastructure,
and prepare for the effects on climate change, including, but not limited to, coordinating
vulnerability assessments throughout state government;
(2)(i) No later than December 31, 2025, and every five (5) years thereafter, submit to the
governor and general assembly an updated plan, following an opportunity for public
comment, that includes strategies, programs, and actions to meet economy-wide enforceable
targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions as follows:
(A) Ten percent (10%) below 1990 levels by 2020;
(B) Forty-five percent (45%) below 1990 levels by 2030;
(C) Eighty percent (80%) below 1990 levels by 2040;
(D) Net-zero emissions by 2050.
No action shall be brought pursuant to: subsection (a)(2)(i)(B) of this section before
2031, pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(i)(C) of this section before 2041, and pursuant
to subsection (a)(2)(i)(D) of this section before 2051.
(ii) The plan shall also include procedures and public metrics for periodic measurement,
not less frequently than once every five (5) years, of progress necessary to meet
these targets and for evaluating the possibility of meeting higher targets through
cost-effective measures.
(iii) The plan shall address in writing the annual input that is provided to the council
by its advisory board, as set forth in § 42-6.2-4, and its science and technical advisory board, as set forth in § 42-6.2-5, in their reports to the council.
(iv) If a plan directs an agency to promulgate regulations, then the agency must do so
by either issuing an advance notice of proposed rulemaking, as set forth in § 42-35-2.5, no later than six (6) months after the plan is released or by issuing a notice of
proposed rulemaking, as set forth in § 42-35-2.7, no later than one year after the plan is released, unless the plan specifies another
timeframe for an advance notice of rulemaking or a notice of rulemaking.
(v) The plan shall include an equitable transition to climate compliance for environmental
justice populations, redress past environmental and public health inequities, and
include a process where the interests of and people from populations most vulnerable
to the effects of climate change and at risk of pollution, displacement, energy burden,
and cost influence such plan.
(vi) The plan shall identify support for workers during this equitable transition to address
inequity in the state by creating quality and family-sustaining clean energy jobs
that pay wages and benefits consistent with or that exceed area wage and labor standards.
The plan shall provide for the development of programs that directly recruit, train,
and retain those underrepresented in the workforce, including women, people of color,
indigenous people, veterans, formerly incarcerated people, and people living with
disabilities.
(vii) The requirements under this subsection shall be subject to the enforcement provisions
of § 42-6.2-10 effective in 2026.
(viii) No later than December 31, 2022, the council shall submit to the governor and the
general assembly an update to the greenhouse gas emission's reduction plan dated "December
2016� which shall not be subject to the requirements of subsections (a)(2)(ii) through
(a)(2)(vi) of this section. No action shall be brought pursuant to subsection (a)(2)(viii)
of this section before 2023;
(3) Advance the state's understanding of the effects on climate change including, but
not limited to: sea level rise; coastal and shoreline changes; severe weather events;
critical infrastructure vulnerability; food security; and ecosystem, economic, and
health impacts, including the effects of carbon pollution on children's health;
(4) Identify strategies to prepare for these effects and communicate them to Rhode Islanders,
including strategies that incentivize businesses, institutions, and industry to adapt
to climate change;
(5) Work with municipalities to support the development of sustainable and resilient communities;
(6) Identify and leverage federal, state, and private funding opportunities for emission
reduction and climate change preparedness and adaption work in Rhode Island;
(7) Advise the governor, the general assembly, and the public on ways to ensure that Rhode
Island continues to be a national leader in developing and implementing strategies
that effectively address the challenges on climate change;
(8) Work with other New England states to explore areas of mutual interest to achieve
common goals; and
(9) Identify and facilitate opportunities to educate the public about climate change and
efforts throughout state agencies and municipalities to address climate change.
(b) The council is encouraged to utilize the expertise of Rhode Island universities and
colleges in carrying out the duties described in subsection (a) of this section, specifically
to ensure that the state's efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change are based
on the best available scientific and technical information, and to optimize the contribution
by the universities and colleges of their expertise and experience in research, analysis,
modeling, mapping, applications to on-the-ground situations, technical assistance,
community outreach, and public education.