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Rhode Island
Critics sound off on proposed winter utility rate hikes at PUC hearing • Rhode Island Current
The prospect of winter utility rate hikes drew sharp criticism Monday night from residents, activists, and elected officials, who blasted Rhode Island Energy for its proposed gas and electric rates during a public hearing.
The nearly-two-hour-long hearing held at the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission’s Warwick offices comes less than a month before the commission’s scheduled vote on winter electric rates, which take effect Oct. 1, along with annual natural gas rates, which take effect Nov. 1.
Rhode Island Energy, the primary supplier of electricity and natural gas for residents and businesses, has proposed higher rates for both electricity and gas supply compared with current, summer prices, as is typical during colder months.
If approved, the average residential customer would see their monthly electric bill increase 23.4%, or $32.16, starting Oct. 1. The average residential gas bill would increase $41.72 per year.
Business and industrial customers would also see their bills rise, with the increase dependent upon usage.
The proposed electric rates are slightly less than last winter, while rising natural gas supply costs will be slightly offset by a monthly bill credit due to accounting errors in the previous year, according to filings with state regulators.
But critics remain unconvinced by the argument that market demand and availability — not company profits — are driving the increases, despite state regulations that prevent the private utility provider from profiting off the power it buys from third-party suppliers.
“Not only is it cruel, it just doesn’t make sense that people are putting profit over people’s lives,” Lee Wilder said during the hearing. “Rhode Island already has the second highest electricity rates in the country. What are we going for, first?”
Wilder was among the dozen community activists who donned T-shirts signifying their participation in local community organizing efforts through the George Wiley Center and the Rhode Island Poor People’s Campaign. Both groups have pushed for a state policy change known as the Percentage Income Payment Plan, which would create a discount plan in which low-income ratepayers – earning less than 150% of federal poverty guidelines – pay 3% to 6% of their income on gas and electricity. The proposal, modeled after similar policies in more than a dozen states, is a perennial fixture at the Rhode Island State House but has failed to gain traction in either chamber despite support from a handful of lawmakers, including Providence Democratic Rep. David Morales.
“In the grand scheme of affordability and cost of living, this is pushing people into utility debt, this is pushing people into losing service, and worst of all, this is pushing people into housing instability and eventually becoming homeless,” Morales said Monday.
Rhode Island already has the second highest electricity rates in the country. What are we going for, first?
– Lee Wilder, community activist
Heartbreaking stories about rising rents, medical costs and child care featured prominently in testimony Monday.
Pawtucket resident Ubaldo Quintero said he already had his utilities shut off, after losing his job during the pandemic. Quintero’s wife has disabilities and requires electricity as part of her care.
“I don’t want to have to choose between eating and paying for services,” Quintero said, speaking through an interpreter.
College student Daisy Paz also lamented the obstacles to her education if she can’t afford to keep paying for electricity.
“I want to continue my studies, but I don’t have the money to pay for rate increases,” Paz said.
At the same time as the review of proposed rate hikes, state regulators are considering changes to the way rates are calculated including a model in which monthly costs fluctuate rather than stay flat for a six-month period.
Nicholas Vaz, special assistant attorney general to Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha, in an Aug. 23 memo to state regulators, stressed the need to consider state decarbonization mandates under the Act on Climate Law if rate design and calculations are changed. Vaz also acknowledged the impact of proposed winter rate hikes on residents.
“As noted above, the LRS rates being considered in this docket are the result of pass-through supply costs, and the Company is not permitted to profit on supply,” Vaz wrote. “Still, this is of no comfort to Rhode Islanders who face increased bills each month during the winter period, just as they have in years past.”
The proposed electric rate hikes also do not account for refunds from a $25 million overcollection in 2023. Details of how the refund will be distributed are still being finalized.
State regulators will review and approve proposed winter electric and gas rates at a later meeting which has not been scheduled as of Tuesday.
Customers in seven municipalities — Barrington, Central Falls, Narragansett, Newport, Portsmouth, Providence, and South Kingstown — can opt out of the 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.
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Why is the flag at half staff? These are possible reasons
The flag of the United States of America is flown at half-staff on several occasions, generally marking that the country is in mourning
On Friday, May 15, flags will be flown at half-staff across the United States to commemorate Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Recognized each year since 1962 as part of May’s National Police Week, the national observance pays tribute to United States law enforcement officials who gave their lives in the line of duty, whether at the local, state or federal level.
“United in gratitude, we recommit ourselves to supporting those who keep the peace in our neighborhoods, and we offer our heartfelt appreciation for the service they render to community and country,” reads a proclamation from President Trump. “Their steady presence brings calm to our streets, their dedication preserves the order that allows our Nation to flourish, and their unwavering vigilance is the reason families across America can rest under the promise of a safer tomorrow.”
In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the flag of the United States at all public buildings and grounds across the country and its territories – including in Rhode Island – will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 15.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel.
The president, the state governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C., can order flags to fly at half-staff.
Half-staff vs. half-mast
While half-staff refers to lowered flags on land, half-mast refers to those at sea. Both refer to a flag being flown beneath the top of its staff as a sign of respect.
RI’s Verdi Productions films ‘Bad News On The Doorstep’ in Providence
Verdi Productions wrapped filming of Tom DeNucci’s “Bad News On The Doorstep” early on May 23 in Providence.
Verdi Productions’ secret horror movie, “My Boyfriend is a Demon,” now filming in Rhode Island, is no longer a secret as Chad A. Verdi, the East Greenwich production company’s president, has announced the cast and given an outline of the movie’s plot.
The ensemble cast comprises veteran actors and rising young talents. The story follows Mary, a lonely, small-town girl who creates a fake Instagram account that pretends to be boyfriend, a guy too perfect to be real. Mary puts so much effort into making him “real” that he shows up at her door one day.
The cast includes:
- Mattias Ferrell, son of comic actor Will Ferrell and known for “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.”
- Coco Arquette, daughter of Courteney Cox and David Arquette and known for “Cougar Town.”
- David Arquette, known for his work in the “Scream” film franchise.
- Rosanna Arquette, David’s sister and Coco’s aunt, known for “The Moment.”
- Bailey Sloan, known for “Ragamuffin.”
- Jack Champion, known for “Avatar.”
- Ever Anderson, known for “Peter Pan & Wendy.”
- Vinnie Hacker, known for “Euphoria.”
- Josephine Reitman, known for “Juno.”
- Savannah Lee Smith, kown for “Tunsel Town.”
- Lisa Yamada, known for “Elle.”
- Ty Law, known for “Friday Night Lights.”
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is written and directed by first-time director mishka.
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is filming in Providence
The movie began filming in Rhode Island in April and has rented Providence’s Cranston Street Armory for the month of May to use as a studio.
The producing team for Verdi Productions includes Chad A. Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, Michelle Verdi and Sera Verdi. Executive producers include Ketchup Entertainment and Kinolime.
Good morning! Happy Thursday! Today will be pretty unsettled with the chance for showers and t’storms. Friday will still be damp with showers and drizzle, but the weekend still looks amazing!
The one good thing with the rain, for allergy sufferers at least, the pollen levels will be lower. In fact, both today and tomorrow, the tree pollen counts will be low locally. Do expect a spike in the pollen count for Saturday and Sunday with the dry weather.
INTERACTIVE RADAR: Live Pinpoint Weather 12 Radar »
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” FLIGHT TRACKER
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” POWER OUTAGES
TODAY
Hour-by-hour forecast for today…
We’ll have some showers around during the morning commute today, but the greatest chance for showers and t’storms will be after 9AM and before 5PM.
Showers and thunderstorms could slow travel around mid-day. Rain could fall heavily at times.
A line of showers and t’storms will be sweeping across the area through the afternoon as a slow-moving weather systems moves through the region.
Highs today will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s with southeast to east winds of 5-15mph.
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” BEACH AND BOATING FORECASTS
TONIGHT
Showers are still possible this evening; although they won’t be as numerous.
TOMORROW
That low center will be nearby Friday morning, and we’ll be stuck with a damp, cool windflow. Expect drizzle and showers in the morning and possibly some lingering showers in the afternoon.
Highs Friday will only be in the 50s. The average high this time of year is in the upper 60s.
LOOKING AHEAD
Then…there’s the weekend. Saturday looks amazing with lots of sunshine and dry weather. It’ll be warmer, too, with highs in the 70s.
-Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo
T.J. Del Santo (tdelsanto@wpri.com) is the weekday morning and noon meteorologist for 12 News. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and Threads and BlueSky.
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