The bill introduced to the Rhode Island General Assembly seeks to establish a comprehensive program for energy and water benchmarking of large buildings, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. It proposes the addition of a new chapter, "Building Decarbonization Act of 2024," to Title 23 of the General Laws, which includes definitions for various terms related to the benchmarking program and performance standards. The bill specifies that covered properties include buildings with at least 25,000 square feet of gross floor area and outlines the responsibilities of building owners to report detailed information about their buildings' energy and water use. It also establishes advisory boards, such as the Green Building Advisory Committee and the Environmental Justice Advisory Board, to assist with the implementation of the chapter and to focus on climate change efforts with respect to disadvantaged individuals and communities.

The bill mandates new construction to be all-electric in stages and introduces requirements for electric-ready and all-electric construction for various types of buildings. It includes provisions to support equitable access to family-sustaining jobs in public building construction projects and empowers local governments to adopt ordinances requiring all-electric new building construction. The bill also addresses electricity affordability for low- and moderate-income customers in all-electric buildings, with the public utilities commission tasked with exploring solutions for energy affordability. Exemptions to the all-electric requirement may be granted under certain conditions, and the state building code commission is directed to propose guidelines for electric-ready and all-electric buildings. The act is part of the Building Decarbonization Act of 2024 and will take effect upon passage.