Green Building Standards for State Facilities
This program doesn't apply to homeowners—it only requires Rhode Island public buildings (schools, state offices, municipal facilities) of 10,000+ square feet undergoing new construction or major renovation to meet green building standards like LEED certification. If you own a public facility, contact the Department of Administration at DOA.RIGBAC@doa.ri.gov for guidance on meeting the requirements.
Public construction and renovation projects exceeding 10,000 square feet must achieve LEED certification, LEED for Neighborhood Development, SITES certification, or equivalent standards (High Performance Schools, Green Globes, or International Green Construction Code) starting July 1, 2023, unless the project entered design before that date. Exemptions are available if economic hardship is demonstrated, and the Rhode Island Department of Administration's Green Buildings Advisory Committee provides education and training resources.
The Green Building Act (RIGL §37-24), enacted in 2009 and updated June 2022, applies to all state agencies, municipalities, school districts, and public institutions with projects over 10,000 gross square feet in new construction or renovations affecting 40% of the building's size or monetary value. The Rhode Island Department of Administration oversees implementation through the volunteer Green Buildings Advisory Committee, monitors operating savings annually, and publishes findings; the Department must provide education, training, and evaluation support while maintaining compliance documentation and reporting.
Program details
- Program ID
- 1912
- Last updated
- 6/21/2024
Eligibility
- Sectors
- state government
- Technologies
- solar - passive solar water heat solar space heat solar photovoltaics wind (all) biomass geothermal heat pumps combined heat & power daylighting wind (small) hydroelectric (small) comprehensive measures/whole building other ee
Program summary
In November 2009, Rhode Island enacted the Green Building Act (S.B. 232), this act was updated in June, 2022. The updated law requires that public building construction projects 10,000 square feet or larger and public building renovation projects 10,000 square feet or larger achieve constructed to at least the LEED, LEED for Neighborhood Development, and SITES certification, or equivalent, such as High Performance Schools Standards, Green Globes Certification, or the International Green Construction Code.* This requirement applies to all public buildings, including school district construction and renovations that receive state funding for such projects, that had not entered the design phase prior to July 1, 2023. The rule applies to all renovation projects that involve 40% of the public building in terms of the size or the monetary value of the structure. Exemptions may be granted from this requirement if economic hardship is proven.
The Rhode Island Department of Administration was required to form a Green Buildings Advisory Committee to support implementation of this policy through education, training, and evaluation recommendations. The Department of Administration must also monitor and document ongoing operating savings resulting from this policy, and to publish annually a report of its findings and recommended changes to the policy.
* Rhode Island was the first U.S. state to adopt the International Green Construction Code.
Contact & resources
- Contact email
- christopher.kearns@energy.ri.gov
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
