Senate passes bill to factor climate change and coastal resiliency into long-term economic planning

The Rhode Island Senate passed Senate Bill S2043 on April 2, directing that climate change, sea-level rise and coastal resiliency be incorporated into the state's long-term economic development vision and strategic planning. The chamber recorded a 35–1 vote in favor when the act was called for passage after its introduction.

Senator Loria opened debate by saying those factors "have never been more apparent for Rhode Island" and argued that S2043 would add climate considerations alongside traditional economic indicators when collecting data and forming strategies. The bill also increases membership of the Economic Development Council from 17 to 19 to add the director of the Department of Environmental Management and the executive director of the Coastal Resources Management Council, "quite literally, giving the environment a seat at the table of our economic planning," Loria said.

Senator Loria noted the Senate had passed the bill in the prior year and said the only change was an update in job title acknowledging the head of the CRMC as an executive director. After the motion for passage, the clerk recorded 35 votes in the affirmative and one negative and the act passed.

The bill places climate and coastal resiliency considerations formally into long-range economic planning and adds agency leadership to the Economic Development Council; no amendments or implementation schedule were detailed on the floor.

The act now moves forward as passed by the Senate.