Latest news with #RhodeIslandEnergy
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
State regulators seek public feedback on banning new gas connections on Aquidneck Island
A fence surrounds the LNG facility on Old Mill Lane in Portsmouth. State regulators authorized expansion in 2024, but are still seeking feedback on alternatives, including a moratorium on new gas hookups. (Photo by Larry Weisman/Rhode Island Current) Do supply problems and state decarbonization goals warrant an end to new natural gas connections on Aquidneck Island? State regulators are asking Newport residents to weigh in at a 6 p.m. meeting Wednesday night at Innovate Newport. The event kicks off an exploratory review over the abstract prospect of banning new gas hookups on the Island. Energy regulators have spent years wrestling with this hypothetical, prompted by Rhode Island Energy's plan to expand an existing liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and equipment facility on Old Mill Lane in Portsmouth. The $33.5 million expansion project on the Portsmouth-Middletown line aims to prevent future gas outages on Aquidneck Island, which relies on a single, six-inch gas pipe to funnel the state's main gas supply to Island customers. Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board agreed to the utility company's plan, granting a conditional license in August 2024. Construction to accommodate extra storage space and equipment began in April, and is expected to be completed in November. The 70,000 gallons of LNG the company plans to store at a permanent facility is projected to be enough to provide gas to the Island for 37 continuous hours, or three days of up to six hours per day when considering capacity constraints. But the quest for alternative solutions continues. Energy regulators made clear in their authorization for the project that the prospect of a natural gas moratorium was still on the table. There is no set timeline for a decision, nor a guarantee that one will happen at all. Next steps will be determined after the public comment hearings, Patricia Lucarelli, administrator for the state Public Utilities Commission, which issued an advisory opinion on the LNG proposal, said in an email. The utility panel is in the midst of a separate deep dive into how the state should plan for, and spend on, natural gas expansion given its mandate to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Environmental groups like the Conservation Law Foundation and the Rhode Island Attorney General's office pointed to this parallel review of the future of state dependency on natural gas as a potential contradiction to Rhode Island Energy's LNG expansion plan. Others suggested a moratorium on new gas hookups as a better way to address the island's gap between gas supply and demand. Rhode Island Energy railed against any guardrails on new gas customers, warning that it would spike heating bills for area residents. Company attorneys also said state regulators lack legal authority to limit new connections. Neighbors and municipal leaders featured prominently in the debate too, with objections focused on the noise and traffic from expanding the storage site. As the people most directly affected by a potential kibosh on new gas connections, state regulators insist their feedback is critical. 'The Board has not made any decision regarding a moratorium, nor has any party made a specific proposal, but the issue remains ripe for consideration, including weighing the benefits of a moratorium against the impact on residents and businesses who may wish to have the option to seek new gas connections in the future and the economy on the island,' the meeting notice states. A handful of local residents submitted written comments to regulators already. Several noted the string of hotels that have opened in Newport in recent years, increasing the strain on the limited supply of natural gas. Benjamin Riggs, a retired Navy captain, suggested banning new hookups for hotel and large commercial projects exclusively, noting that the widening gap between supply and demand caused by these projects has already resulted in rising usage rates shouldered by residents. Connie and Rick Bischoff, of Newport, recalled the 2019 emergency outage that left 7,000 Aquidneck Islanders without heat for a frigid week in January. But, the couple also pointed out that electric heat 'costs a lot.' 'We simply need this issue to be looked at more carefully,' they wrote. A new wrinkle highlighted by William Horan of Middletown in his written comments: the change in Washington D.C., where an anti-renewable energy administration has pulled back crucial incentives needed to help states, including Rhode Island, achieve their dependence on fossil fuels. The public meeting in Newport will not be streamed, although comments made will be transcribed, Lucarelli said. Portsmouth residents can provide in-person feedback at a second meeting on Aug. 27 at Portsmouth Middle School. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RI Republicans propose cutting renewable energy programs to reduce utility bills
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — House Republicans have announced a suite of bills cutting back renewable energy programs they say are driving up Rhode Islanders' energy bills. 'Far too often, the utility is painted as the villain, but many of these cost increases stem from legislative mandates — laws passed by the General Assembly that forced utilities to buy expensive energy or fund inefficient programs,' House Minority Leader Mike Chippendale said at a news conference Thursday. The bills, proposed just before the legislative deadline, would do everything from ending solar and wind projects to eliminating the energy efficiency charge. ALSO READ: RI lawmaker wants to cut back on clean energy to lower utility bills One bill would put a pause on net metering, which offers credits to renewable energy customers. 'Right now, solar customers are credited at the full retail rate for energy,' Chippendale said. 'They produce up to 125% of their usage. That's not market-based. It's an inflated rate that gets passed on to every single ratepayer in this state.' Some Democrats at the State House argue renewable energy costs are not the problem — profits are. Legislation proposed by state Rep. Meghan Cotter instead aims to curb the profit margins of utility companies. A spokesperson for Rhode Island Energy said the company has met with leaders from both parties. READ MORE: Expensive electric bills put RI clean energy policies into spotlight 'We welcome smart legislation that prioritizes a balance between reliability and affordability, and look forward to continuing to work with those members of the General Assembly who are committed to that same goal,' Caroline Prettyman wrote. Conversations have gotten louder in Rhode Island as residents continue to share stories of high utility bills. RELATED: Rhode Islanders shred utility bills at State House to protest rising costs 'The money should come back to Rhode Islanders through the profits that Rhode Island Energy is bringing in, instead of by rolling back green energy initiatives that are aimed to make our state better for, you know, not just right now, but 100 years to come,' said Zach Mezera with the Working Families Party. He believes the conversation about utility reform shouldn't be a partisan issue. 'Rhode Island Energy has a lot of money for marketing,' he said. 'They know that this is an issue that wedges right into the middle of the public. So for our part, we think they're trying to pit us left and right, young and old, pro green and anti green against each other.' 12 RESPONDS: Getting answers to your utility bill questions Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
R.I. Senate confirms Karen Bradbury to open spot on PUC
Karen Bradbury and her husband Patrick Crowley smile after the Rhode Island Senate vote on Tuesday, May 27, confirming Bradbury's appointment to the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission. (Screenshot/Capitol TV) Rhode Island's three-pronged state utility panel is back to full power, with the Rhode Island Senate unanimously voting to confirm Karen Bradbury to the open seat on the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission. The chamber's 30-0 vote Tuesday fills the vacancy left by former commissioner John Revens, who resigned in December, midway through his six-year term. Supporters of Bradbury touted her experience in state and federal government and renewable energy as qualifications for her appointment. Bradbury most recently served as program administrator for Rhode Island's Office of Energy Resources, overseeing the rollout of federally funded tax credits and incentives to help homeowners and small business owners pay for high-efficiency electric heat pumps, among other renewable energy programs. Much of her 20-year policy career was spent working under U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, where she left as projects director in December 2022. 'She is committed to finding solutions that provide Rhode Islanders with clean and affordable energy,' Sen. Robert Britto, an East Providence Democrat, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, said of Bradbury. 'Her track record makes her an excellent selection to serve on the PUC.' Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, a South Kingstown Democrat, also gave high praise to Bradbury. 'We are so fortunate to have someone with her expertise and her knowledge, and not only that, she's great to work with,' Sosnowski said. Bradbury did not address the chamber, but waved in response to standing applause after the vote. She was accompanied by her husband, Patrick Crowley, the president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO. McKee's administration previously defended against inquiries about whether Bradbury's appointment was related to her husband's influential role with a major labor union, instead focusing on Bradbury's own qualifications for the job. Bradbury's high-profile appointment to the regulatory body carries extra weight amid rising frustration over utility costs and profits reported by Rhode Island Energy. Addressing lawmakers during a May 20 panel hearing, Bradbury pledged to protect families and businesses grappling with soaring utility bills while also advancing the state's renewable energy mandates, which are one of several costs contributing to monthly utility bills. The utilities commission by law cannot reject the state utility provider's proposed supply-side prices, as long as they do not include an extra markup beyond what it costs to purchase power directly from third-party suppliers. However, the commission has more authority over service-side charges and has scaled back Rhode Island Energy's proposed investments in capital infrastructure projects in acknowledgement of the extra costs to customers. Bradbury will serve out the rest of Revens' term, which ends on March 1, 2027. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Osprey nest causes power outage in Narragansett
NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WPRI) — Nearly 3,000 customers were without power in Narragansett from around 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday. An osprey nest caused an outage in Narragansett. (Courtesy: Rhode Island Energy) Rhode Island Energy spokesperson Caroline Pretyman told 12 News the outage was caused by an osprey nest. Crews removed the burned nest, which had no birds in it. WATCH: Bear wanders onto Richmond porch Pretyman said it will be keeping an eye on the area to see if any birds return. 'If they try to re-build a nest there, we will set up a platform and move it,' she explained. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rhode Islanders shred utility bills at State House to protest rising costs
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Islanders gathered outside Gov. Dan McKee's office Thursday evening and took turns shredding their utility bills before urging lawmakers to pass legislation that would protect them from the 'inappropriate and unnecessary costs' imposed by Rhode Island Energy. 'Our utility bills keep rising and are breaking our budgets,' Rep. Art Handy said. 'But under Rhode Island Energy's monopoly, we're forced to pay for their corporate perks — on top of what we already have to pay to make sure their shareholders make a profit.' Rhode Islanders have been expressing frustration for months about higher than usual utility costs, with some residents claiming to have received bills for more than $1,000. 'Pretty much everyone agrees: monopolies are bad for consumers, and they're bad for the economy,' Rep. Megan Cotter said. 'We have a clear opportunity to rein in the inappropriate and unnecessary expenses that drive up costs as Rhode Islanders fall behind on payments.' TARGET 12: Expensive electric bills put RI clean energy policies into spotlight Handy and Cotter are among the state lawmakers working to protect Rhode Islanders from rising utility rates. Cotter has introduced legislation that would cap the utility's profit margin for electric and gas at 4% in any year. 'We need tightened, updated rules that will lower rates and protect consumers from getting screwed over — we need the General Assembly to act now,' Cotter said. Handy's legislation would prohibit utilities from using customers' payments to cover lobbying, advertising and communications. Rhode Island Energy President and CEO Greg Cornett is blaming the higher utility costs on state-mandated charges for clean energy, noting that those policies are out of their control. 'I'm not here to make judgment on whether those costs are good or bad,' Cornett told 12 News. 'We certainly support the state's clean energy and climate goals, but the question is, at what cost?' But Rhode Island Working Families Party's Zack Mezera believes the utility is deflecting blame for those high costs. 'A massive company blaming high bills on green energy gives away the game: they'd rather sacrifice the climate and Rhode Islanders' health than cut into profits for their lobbyists and shareholders,' Mezera said. 'Pitting Rhode Islanders against each other over green energy is a divide and conquer tactic to distract us from what they're really doing: getting every penny they can from us, the consumer.' Other proposals being considered include giving customers with serious illness certifications more time to pay their bills before their utilities are turned off, capping utility rate increase to the Consumer Price Index and establishing an income-driven payment plan. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
