H 7182

2026 -- H 7182
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 LC003627
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  STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND
  IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
  ____________
  AN ACT
  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:
1SECTION 1. Chapter 45-24 of the General Laws entitled "Zoning Ordinances" is hereby
2 amended by adding thereto the following section:
345-24-46.6. Utility scale solar energy projects.
4(a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the development of utility
5 scale solar projects shall be limited to projects where the free-standing solar energy structure is on
6 property where the structure is providing energy to an urban area of residential properties, a
7 commercial property or otherwise occupying other developed accessory portions of a residential or
8 commercial property to include, but not be limited to, roof tops, parking lots and developed
9 property.
10(b) Forested land, farmland, undeveloped property consisting of one acre or more and other
11 rural areas of land shall not be utilized for utility scale solar projects.
12(c) For purposes of this section "a utility scale solar project" means a project that produces
13 ten megawatts (10 MW) or more of energy, or produces electricity for sale pursuant to the
14 provisions of chapter 26.4 of title 39.
15SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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 LC003627
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  EXPLANATION
  BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
  OF
  AN ACT
  RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- ZONING ORDINANCES
  ***
1This act would limit where utility scale solar projects can be developed to projects where
2 the free-standing solar energy structure is on property where the structure is providing energy to an
3 urban area of residential properties, a commercial property or otherwise occupying other developed
4 accessory portions of a residential or commercial property. Development in forested and other rural
5 areas of land would be prohibited.
6This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003627
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