Rhode Island
R.I. Energy’s seasonal electric rate hikes will be partially offset by $27M refund
Rhode Island Energy customers will see their monthly electricity bills increase by about 23% starting Oct. 1 under new rates approved by utility regulators. (Getty Images)
In the end, the much-maligned winter electric rate hikes won’t be as burdensome as initial calculations suggested, thanks to a nearly $27 million refund distributed to Rhode Island Energy customers.
Still, the 500,000 state residents who opt to get their electricity from Rhode Island Energy — rather than an outside supplier — will see their electric bills go up starting Oct. 1, under seasonal rate hikes approved by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission on Thursday.
Based on calculations submitted by Rhode Island Energy, the average residential customer will see their monthly electric bill increase about 23%, or $31. Business and industrial customers would also see their bills rise, with the increase dependent upon usage.
The seasonal, six-month increase is not unexpected; rates typically increase in the winter due to higher demand and limited supply. State law prevents Rhode Island Energy, the primary utility provider for the state, from profiting off the energy it purchases from third-party suppliers.
The upcoming rate hikes are also slightly lower than rates from last winter.
And, customers will also get separate bill credits to refund them for the $27 million they were overcharged by the company in 2023 due to accounting errors.
For most residential customers, the refund will be given as a one-time credit of $68.60 on their December bills. Low-income customers will get an even higher refund of roughly $140, spread out in monthly installments of $23.47 from November 2024 through April 2025.
The extra refund for customers who qualify for income-restricted government assistance programs attempts to ease the pain for the state’s most vulnerable residents, many of whom are already struggling to afford basic needs. The impact of higher winter utility bills on low income families was the central focus of a public hearing on Sept. 9, in which critics, including affected residents, lamented the increasing costs of food, rent and utilities.
“I think this is the fairest way to do it,” Commission Chairman Ron Gerwatowski said Thursday.
Commercial and industrial customers will also get a one-time refund on their bills, with the amount based on usage.
Customers in seven municipalities — Barrington, Central Falls, Narragansett, Newport, Portsmouth, Providence, and South Kingstown — can opt out of Rhode Island Energy electric prices and participate instead in a community aggregation plan that leverages bulk buying power to secure lower-priced electricity for its residents.
Good Energy, the consultant hired to coordinate the community aggregation plan for participating municipalities in Rhode Island, was not immediately available to comment on its upcoming winter rates on Friday. State regulators do not have any role in the contracts between municipalities and energy suppliers, or the agreed-upon rates.
Rhode Island Energy did not immediately return inquiries for comment Friday.
Separately, the company has also proposed higher natural gas rates, which, if approved, would take effect Nov. 1. The proposal, which translates to a nearly $42 increase for the average residential customer’s annual bill, remains under review by state regulators.
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Rhode Island
Several Rhode Islanders win lottery prizes, $2 million Powerball prize still unclaimed
(WPRI) — The last few weeks have been lucky for Rhode Island lottery players, including a Cranston man who won a $50,000 Powerball prize.
The Rhode Island Lottery said the lucky winner bought his ticket at the Shaw’s Supermarket on Chapel View Boulevard in Cranston for the drawing on April 25.
In that same drawing, someone won a $2 million Powerball prize, but no one has come forward to claim the money yet. That winning ticket was purchased at the Seasons Corner Market on Old Louisquisset Pike in Lincoln.
In Providence, a man won $30,000 through the Mega Multiplier Instant Game after he had a dream about playing the lottery and decided to buy a ticket. He bought that winning ticket at Three Ring Liquors on Plainfield Street. The man said he is planning to share his winnings with his family.
Another lucky lottery player won $25,000 playing The Numbers on April 27. The Lincoln man bought his ticket at the Twin River Mini Mart on Douglas Pike in Smithfield.
A North Providence woman also won big, claiming a $17,760 prize after playing the RI 250 Instant Game. She told lottery officials that she plans to use her winnings to take a trip. She bought her ticket at the Shaw’s Supermarket on Smithfield Road in North Providence.
Whoever won the $2 million Powerball Prize will have until April 29, 2027, to claim their winnings. You can check the winning Powerball numbers here.
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Rhode Island
Rhode Island resists Trump DOJ demand for trans youth records ordered by Texas judge
Rhode Island officials are refusing to turn over private medical records for trans youth to the Trump administration.
The Ocean State’s Office of Child Advocate has filed an emergency motion in federal court to quash a demand from the Justice Department seeking medical information for minors treated for gender dysphoria.
“The medical records of these children contain private information that is protected under the law, which exists to safeguard confidentiality, privacy, and the dignity of every patient,” said Child Advocate Katelyn Medeiros in a statement reported by the Rhode Island Current.
“When those protections are disregarded — especially for children — it is not merely a violation of the law but a breach of trust that could have profound lifelong consequences.”
Related: Rhode Island hockey mass shooting leaves family shattered and shooter’s identity in the spotlight
In this case, the Justice Department is seeking to enforce a court order from a federal judge in Texas that requests records from Rhode Island Hospital. That order is part of an investigation into possible violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act involving puberty blockers and hormone therapy.
The federal agency said Rhode Island must release “the identities and complete medical histories of every minor patient who received medical care for gender dysphoria at RI Hospital over more than five years.”
Rhode Island officials said the release of information on patients there would not only violate medical privacy but could expose a marginalized population to humiliation at the hands of the government.
Related: Texas AG Ken Paxton won’t leave trans people alone, again requests data from out of state
Related: ‘Retaliation’: Texas AG Paxton demands PFLAG provide names, addresses of trans members
“In other words, for a population of children that already lacks trust in the legal and medical systems, DOJ now seeks unfettered access to everything from their Social Security numbers and addresses to the intimate details about their state of mind, their sexual orientation and gender identity, and the course of treatment they chose with their physician and custodians,” attorneys wrote in a court filing.
The demand is part of a broader effort by the Justice Department under President Donald Trump to obtain private medical information on patients receiving gender-affirming care nationwide.
Under since-fired Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Justice Department had demanded private medical information on patients under the age of 19 through a series of broad subpoenas issued last year.
Courts in some states have blocked that pursuit. A federal judge in Maryland denied access in January to records from Children’s National Hospital. Similarly, a federal court in Pennsylvania stopped the administration from obtaining patient records from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in November.
Rhode Island
This RI Zoo Just Solved Your Mother’s Day Plans
Mother’s Day is just days away, and one local zoo is offering all moms some free fun.
Free Mother’s Day Admission Details
Roger Williams Park Zoo has announced free admission for all moms, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers on Sunday, May 10, when accompanied by a child.
Which means if you still haven’t made plans with your mom, why not a trip to the zoo?
There’s plenty happening at Roger Williams Park Zoo these days—new animals like the penguins and capybara plus the immersive bug exhibit—and the weather is expected to be pleasant and mild.
READ MORE: Giant Bug Exhibit Now Open at Roger Williams Park Zoo
The annual offering is a favorite way for people to spend the holiday, but it’s not the only upcoming event at Providence’s popular zoo.
Upcoming Events at Roger Williams Park Zoo
On Sunday, May 17, the zoo is hosting a STEM LEGO workshop hosted by Christine “Tacos” Blandino from FOX’s LEGO Masters Season 3. The event, for LEGO fans aged 6+, takes place during several 90-minute windows throughout the day and helps builders grow their LEGO skills.
READ MORE: Remember When Massive Brick-Made Animal Sculptures Filled Capron Park Zoo?
Then Thursday, May 21 sees the 21+ crowd take over the zoo with the return of Whiskey & More For Wildlife from 5:30–7:30 p.m. This annual event offers ticket holders five curated tastings, a Wee Glencairn tasting glass, appetizers, soft drinks, and animal encounters along with access to an exclusive silent auction featuring rare spirits and unique experiences. Proceeds benefit bison care and conservation efforts.
Sounds like May is going to be a can’t-miss month at Roger Williams Park Zoo.
20 Things To See at Roger Williams Park (Other Than the Zoo)
There are over 427 acres of beautiful landscaping, historical buildings and family friendly spaces at Roger Williams Park in Providence. Gifted to the city in 1872 by the last descendant of Roger Williams, Betsey Williams, the park has become primarily known for its amazing zoo. But throughout this historic district listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, there are plenty of other stunning things to see.
Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall
Explore Massive Insect Exhibit at Roger Williams Park Zoo
Roger Williams Park Zoo is bringing larger-than-life insects to Providence with a new Bug’s World experience opening this April.
Get a sneak peak at these insane insects before they open to the public.
Gallery Credit: Nancy Hall
Baby Red Pandas Born At Roger Williams Park Zoo In Providence
Gallery Credit: Michaela Johnson
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