Providence City Council ordinance will give teeth to climate goals - The Providence Journal

Providence City Council ordinance will give teeth to climate goals

City Council wants Providence's city buildings to be carbon neutral by 2040. How will they do it?

The law would apply to all city-owned buildings, including schools.

The Providence City Council is expected to pass a law Thursday night t o require municipal buildings to become carbon neutral by 2040.

The ordinance, sponsored by 10 of the body's 15 members – including Council President Rachel Miller – encourages energy efficiency, and includes schools. It urges buildings to use "electric heating and cooling systems, electric hot water heating, 100% renewable energy consumption, maximum on-site renewable energy production, thermal energy networks, and biofuel or battery electric emergency backup facilities."

More: Carbon neutral city buildings? New Providence City Council ordinance could mandate the transition.

Ordinance gives city's climate plan teeth

The plan began coming together in September 2023 with the work of Climate Jobs Rhode Island, a coalition attempting to marry the interests of laborers and environmentalists. The group helped create a resolution on making Providence " America's first climate jobs city," which entails a long list of changes, from decarbonizing buildings to promoting green infrastructure and environmental education.

However, resolutions don't have teeth, and tend to be symbolic. That's where the ordinance on municipal buildings comes in. It would allow the city to actually enforce part of its resolution. Climate Jobs Rhode Island was tasked with aiding the council in creating such laws to accomplish the resolution's goals.

Councilors, Climate Jobs Rhode Island and the RI AFL-CIO plan to discuss the ordinance at a press conference this evening.

This is a developing story. Check back tonight for updates.