Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014

The bill addresses climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience. It makes DEM the coordinating agency for climate change mitigation and the division of planning in the department of administration as the lead agency on climate change adaptation. For mitigation, the bill establishes targets for greenhouse gas emissions, ending in 85% reduction by 2050. A science advisory council is established within DEM to review and consider current climate change science and to review RI's mitigation and adaptation programs.
The bill creates a climate adaptation planning and implementation coordinating committee, supported by the Division of Administration Statewide Planning program, that has 24 members, including 13 state agencies as well as municipal, university and public members. The committee's responsibilities include integrating vulnerability assessments developed by state agencies, setting goals to reduce climate change impacts on Rhode Island's population and extending low impact development and green infrastructure solutions.