$1.5 Million In Electricity Rate Relief Coming To Some RI Residents

RHODE ISLAND — An additional $1.5 million in direct electricity rate relief will come to low income Rhode Islanders this winter, Gov. Dan McKee said Thursday.

McKee said the funding is from the Regional Greenhouse Initiative and will help roughly 39,000 state residents pay their electric bills through the end of March 2023. This is in addition to the $5.3 million allocated by McKee to this rate relief program over the last several months.

"Our team has been committed to securing direct rate relief to Rhode Islanders to help with their winter electricity bills — we're continuing to deliver on that commitment," McKee said in a statement. "This $1.5 million raises the total available energy support to $6.8 million, which means an approximate energy bill savings of $190 per customer during the winter electricity rates. For those who do not qualify for this rate relief or need additional support, including heating oil assistance, please visit EnergySupport.ri.gov for a list of state and federal energy assistance programs that may help lower your energy bills."

In October, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) and Department of Human Services (DHS) launched a website to provide a one-stop resource for helping state residents pay their energy bills.

The new website, EnergySupport.ri.gov, includes a list of state, federal and nonprofit energy assistance resources for Rhode Islanders. Specifically, it highlights financial awards to help pay for heating and electric bills including: the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Good Neighbor Energy Fund, Keep the Heat On, Free Home Energy Assessment Program, Weatherization Assistance Program, Heating System Repair and Replacement Program.