Air Resources

Our Mission

DEM's Office of Air Resources (OAR) is responsible for the preservation, protection, and improvement of air quality in Rhode Island. This is accomplished, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, by regulating the emission of air pollutants from stationary and mobile emission sources.

The purpose of the Air Resources program is to carry out the policy of the State as declared in Rhode Island General Law § 23-23-2, that is:

“…to preserve, protect, and improve the air resources of the state to promote the public health, welfare, and safety, to prevent injury or detriment to human, plant, and animal life, physical property, and other resources, and to foster the comfort and convenience of the state's inhabitants.”

To learn more about the Office’s major activities, take an interactive tour via our StoryMap Collection:

Click Here to Learn More

Public Notices

The proposed "Rhode Island 2024 Annual Monitoring Network Plan" is now available for public comment

Rhode Island 2024 Annual Monitoring Network Plan DRAFT PDF file, about 3

This document will serve as Rhode Island’s DRAFT 2024 Annual Monitoring Network Plan, prepared by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, in accordance with Section 58.10 (a) of Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 58.10(a)), which requires states to submit a monitoring network plan to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in July of each year. The plan provides a description of the state’s current monitoring network, demonstrates that the network conforms to EPA requirements, and discusses any plans to remove or move a monitoring station in the 18 months following the plan submittal.

This DRAFT Annual Monitoring Network Plan is being posted for public comment 30 days prior to submittal to the EPA. Comments will be accepted until July 15, 2024. Comments should be submitted electronically or in hard copy to:

Darren J Austin, State Meteorologist
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Office of Air Resources
235 Promenade St.
Providence, RI 02908
darren.austin@dem.ri.gov
(401) 537-4404

Notice of Preliminary Fee Determination re: Operating Permit Fees PDF file, less than 1

News & Updates

2021 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Indicates Statewide Emissions Rebounded Post-Pandemic, Consistent with Trends Across New England and Nation (Press Release 6/17/24)
DEM Announces Availability of Funding for Projects to help RI Communities Confront the Effects of Climate Change (Press Release 6/13/24)

Air monitoring equipment in East Providence

Current Air Quality

Stay Informed

Subscribe to DEM's Air Resources info E-mail List: This voluntary email list is used to distribute information, as well as policy and rules changes to programs in Rhode Island. Subscribe here.