The "Building Decarbonization Act of 2025" is a legislative proposal aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings in Rhode Island, aligning with the state's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The bill introduces a new chapter in Title 23 of the General Laws, establishing definitions related to building performance, such as "covered property" and "building performance standard." It mandates that new buildings be designed to be "electric-ready" and tasks the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) with developing performance metrics and overseeing compliance. The bill also establishes a new energy use benchmarking program to collect data on energy consumption and emissions, requiring building owners to submit energy use information and ensuring that utilities provide anonymized usage data to assist in compliance.

Additionally, the bill amends the State Building Code to require that all new construction or alterations submitted after December 31, 2025, be "electric-ready." It sets forth requirements for projects exceeding $5 million to involve registered apprenticeship programs and outlines exemptions for mixed-fuel buildings only when all-electric designs are infeasible. The EC4 is responsible for evaluating energy use and emissions biennially, with a goal of publishing benchmarking data by 2028. The legislation emphasizes collaboration between utilities and the EC4 to enhance data management and energy efficiency, while also ensuring that any additional costs incurred by utilities in providing data are eligible for cost recovery. Overall, the act aims to promote energy efficiency and sustainability in Rhode Island's building practices.