McKee Proposes Helping Some RI Families Pay Electric Bills This Winter

RHODE ISLAND — Gov. Dan McKee has proposed using $3.8 million in state funding to help low-income Rhode Island residents pay their electric bills this winter.

A spokesperson from McKee's office said Wednesday the money would come from the state's Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative fund and provide direct rate relief to about 39,000 residents most at risk of not being able to afford their bills. The relief would account for billing from October through March.

On behalf of the governor, the Office of Energy Resources will propose a draft of the plan for a 30-day public comment period. Proposal information and when public hearings will happen can be found here.

"This surge in electricity costs this winter are going to impact all Rhode Islanders," McKee said in a statement. "Our most vulnerable residents do not have the means to absorb this rate increase. We have a responsibility to do everything possible to protect them. That's why we're proposing to use $3.8 million from our RGGI funds to provide direct rate relief to low-income utility customers who are most at risk this winter. This will help ease the burden of higher-than-average electricity prices and continue our commitment to provide relief to Rhode Islanders in the face of rising prices and inflation."