2022 -- H 7851

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LC005150

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - GREENHOUSE GAS

POLLUTION STANDARD

     Introduced By: Representatives Potter, Tanzi, Ruggiero, Morales, Kislak, Bennett,
Cortvriend, Speakman, Knight, and McGaw

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2022

     Referred To: House Environment and Natural Resources

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 6.3

GREENHOUSE GAS POLLUTION STANDARDS PROJECT

     42-6.3-1. Creation, purpose and goals

     (a) There is hereby created the greenhouse gas pollution standards project. The purpose of

establishing greenhouse gas pollution standards is to:

     (1) Require the department of transportation (RIDOT), the state planning council and the

transportation advisory council to determine the total pollution and greenhouse gas emission

increase or decrease expected from future transportation projects in the state and take steps to

ensure that greenhouse gas emission levels do not exceed set reduction amounts and are in

compliance with chapter 6.2 of title 42, "2021 act on climate".

     (2) Govern the statewide planning process, emphasize the state's continually greater

integration of multimodal, cost-effective, and environmentally sound means of transportation

which leads to reduced emissions, cleaner air and reduced traffic.

     (3) Focus on emission reduction goals, multimodal transportation projects including

highways, transit, rail, bicycles, and pedestrians. This approach will streamline the planning and

delivery of innovations that have proven successful in improving quality of life, air quality and

public health, like adding sidewalks, improving downtowns for active transportation with

“complete streets,” improving local and intercity transit and first-and-last-mile connectivity to

transit facilities, and adding bike-shares.

     (b) This policy recognizes that the transportation projects have an impact on how Rhode

Islanders travel and encourages choices for travelers across the state.

     (c) Establish an ongoing administrative process for identifying, measuring, confirming, and

verifying those best practices and their impacts, so that RIDOT, the transportation advisory

committee ("TAC") and the state planning council can easily apply them to their plans in order to

achieve the pollution reduction levels and public transparency required and enforceable by chapter

6.2 of title 42 ("2021 act on climate").

     42-6.3-2. Transportation planning projects.

     (a) The RIDOT, the state planning council and others shall consider investments in

reducing greenhouse gas at the time a project is developed and submitted into a transportation plan.

     (b) Applicants of interchange access requests submitted to the RIDOT chief engineer or

TAC for approval shall include a proposal to mitigate the impacts of the request on climate change,

to include, but not be limited to, induced demand created in the area of the interchange being

proposed. RIDOT project approval shall prioritize projects which demonstrate compliance with

greenhouse gas standards in accordance with the provisions of chapter 6.2 of title 42.

     42-6.3-3. Rules and regulations.

     The department of transportation (RIDOT), in consultation with the state planning council

and the transportation advisory council shall adopt such rules and regulations as they deem

necessary for the proper administration of this chapter and to carry out the purposes thereof.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - GREENHOUSE GAS

POLLUTION STANDARD

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     This act would establish the greenhouse gas pollution standards project to ensure the state

achieves the emission reduction goals of the act on climate as those projects pertain to

transportation alternatives and projects. The act would further provide that RIDOT projects

approval shall prioritize projects that demonstrate compliance with greenhouse gas standards.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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