The Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014 originally set aspirational goals for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 10% from 1990 levels by 2020, 45% from 1990 levels by 2035 and 80% from 1990 levels by 2050. The proposal in H-7399 would make these reduction targets binding and enforceable while also updating goals for the outer years to better align with current scientific understanding of the climate crisis’ magnitude. In particular, the goal for 2035 is marginally increased from 45% to 50% and the goal for 2050 is increased from 80% to 100%. The bill also recognizes the 2050 goal may be met in part by counting carbon offsets to account for those final, marginal areas of our economy that may be difficult to decarbonize.

H-7399 Testimony