Rhode Island Incentives and Laws

Last Updated August 2008

Rhode Island is the home of the Ocean State, Inc. Clean Cities Coalition (www.uri.edu/cels/ceoc/osccc.html). Coordinator contact information is listed in the Points of Contact section.

State Incentives

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Loans

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources offers loans for up to five years, with low administrative fees, to state agencies and municipal governments to cover the incremental cost of purchasing original equipment manufactured AFVs.

Point of Contact

Tim Howe
Program Manager
Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources
Phone (401) 574-9104
Fax (401) 222-1260
timh@energy.ri.gov
http://www.energy.ri.gov/programs/efficiency.php

Electric Vehicle (EV) Tax Credit

A taxpayer entitled to a federal qualified EV tax credit is also entitled to a state tax credit equal to 25% of the federal qualified EV tax credit. (Reference Rhode Island Code 44-30-2.6)

Biodiesel Tax Exemption

Biodiesel fuel that results in employment in Rhode Island at a manufacturing facility for biodiesel fuel is exempt from motor fuel tax. (Reference Rhode Island Code 31-36)

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Tax Exemption - Warren

The town of Warren may allow excise tax exemptions of up to $100 for qualified AFVs registered in Warren. Qualified vehicles must be primarily fueled by one of the following: an electric motor drawing current from rechargeable batteries or fuel cells; gas produced from biomass, where biomass is defined as any organic material other than oil, natural gas, and coal; liquid, gaseous or solid synthetic fuels produced from coal; or coke or coke gas. (Reference Rhode Island Code 44-34-14)

State Laws and Regulations

State Agency Petroleum Reduction Plan

In order to reduce air pollution emissions, greenhouse gases, energy consumption, road congestion, and parking shortages, the Rhode Island Department of Administration must establish a committee to develop, publicize, and implement a plan to give incentives to state employees to reduce vehicle miles in commuting to work. The plan may encourage carpooling, transit use, and other alternatives to driving conventional vehicles. (Reference House Bill 7377, 2008)

Clean School Bus Program

By September 1, 2010, full-size school bus equipped with an engine from model year 1993 or older may not be used to transport school children in Rhode Island. Additionally, providing there is sufficient federal or state funding, by September 1, 2010, all full-sized school buses transporting children in the state must be retrofitted with a closed crankcase ventilation system and either: 1) be equipped with a level 1, level 2, or level 3 device verified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the California Air Resources Board (ARB); 2) be equipped with an engine from model year 2007 or newer; or 3) achieve the same or higher diesel particulate matter reductions as compared to an alternative fuel such as compressed natural gas and as verified by California ARB/EPA to reduce diesel particulate matter emissions at a level equivalent to or higher than subsection 2 above. (Reference Rhode Island Code 31-47.3)

Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has adopted California's LEV regulations applicable to passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, and medium-duty vehicles, as set forth in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations. All Model Year (MY) 2008 and subsequent model year passenger cars and light-duty trucks, and MY 2009 and subsequent model year medium-duty vehicles offered for sale or lease, imported, delivered, or registered in the state must meet California exhaust emissions standards. Beginning with MY 2009, vehicles must also meet the greenhouse gas emissions standards. (Reference Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Regulation No. 37)

Point of Contact

Office of Air Resources
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Phone (401) 222-2808
Fax (401) 222-2017
http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/air/index.htm

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Acquisition Requirements

In order to reduce fuel consumption, improve fuel efficiency to meet the minimum federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, reduce pollution emissions, and purchase vehicles that provide the best value on a lifecycle cost basis, the state is required to take the following actions: 1) at least 75% of state motor vehicle acquisitions must be AFVs, and the remaining 25% must be HEVs to the greatest extent possible; 2) all new light-duty trucks in the state fleet must achieve a minimum city fuel economy of 19 miles per gallon (mpg) and achieve a minimum certification of a Low Emission Vehicle, and all new passenger vehicles in the state fleet must achieve a minimum city fuel economy of 23 mpg; 3) all state agencies must purchase the most economical, fuel-efficient, and lowest emission vehicles appropriate to meet any needed requirements and discourage the purchase of sport utility vehicles; 4) low rolling resistance tires with superior tread life should be purchased for state vehicles when possible; and 5) all state vehicles must be maintained according to manufacturer specifications, including specified tire pressures and ratings. The state is also required to prepare an annual report to the Governor on the state's compliance with these goals. (Reference Executive Order 05-13, 2005)

Idle Reduction Requirement

Unnecessary operation of the engine of a motor vehicle while stopped, in excess of five consecutive minutes during any 60 minute period, is not permitted. Unnecessary idling does not include circumstances exempted by regulations adopted by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, such as when it is necessary to operate heating and cooling equipment to ensure the health or safety of drivers and passengers. These requirements do not apply to the following: 1) emergency response, public safety, or military vehicles; 2) armored vehicles being loaded or unloaded; 3) non-road vehicles; 4) vehicles making deliveries of fuel or energy products. Violators of these regulations will be fined up to $100 for the first offense and up to $500 for each succeeding offense. (Reference Rhode Island Code23-23-29.2 and 31-16.1-4)

Low-Speed Vehicle Access to Roadways

Low-speed vehicles may be operated upon the roadways of Prudence Island. A low-speed vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle that is self-propelled, electric or gas powered, designed to carry four or fewer persons, and conforms to the maximum safety equipment requirements as adopted in the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, Code of Federal Regulations Title 49, Section 571.500. A low-speed vehicle may not be operated on a road with a posted speed limit greater than 25 miles per hour and may only be operated during the hours of 6:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. (Reference Rhode Island Code 31-19.4-1)

Utilities/Private Incentives

There are currently no known utility or private incentives offered in Rhode Island.

Points of Contact:

NAME/EMAIL	AGENCY	TITLE	PHONE/FAX
Wendy Lucht wlucht@uri.edu	Ocean State Clean Cities Coalition	Clean Cities Coordinator	Phone: (401) 874-2792 Fax:
Tim Howe timh@energy.ri.gov	Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources	Program Manager	Phone: (401) 574-9104 Fax: (401) 222-1260
Mike Scarpino michael.scarpino@netl.doe.gov	U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory	Project Manager	Phone: (412) 386-4726 Fax: (412) 386-5835
	Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management	Office of Air Resources	Phone: (401) 222-2808 Fax: (401) 222-2017
Frank Stevenson frank.stevenson@dem.ri.gov	Department of Environmental Management	Supervising Air Quality Specialist	Phone: (401) 222-4700 x7021 Fax: (401) 222-2017
Robert Judge judge.robert@epa.gov	U.S. Environmental Protection Agency	Environmental Engineer, Region 1	Phone: (617) 918-1045 Fax: (617) 918-0045