$3 Million In Electric Bill Relief Made Available In Rhode Island

RHODE ISLAND — Rhode Island is taking steps to provide relief for winter heating costs, following the RI Public Utilities Commission's vote on winter electric rates, Gov. Dan McKee said Tuesday.

McKee said $3 million in funding for direct rate relief for low-income Rhode Island residents is available this winter. Additionally, there will be a freeze on the utility gross receipts tax collected on all residential and small businesses utility bills from December 2023 and March 2024. McKee proposed this freeze in the fiscal year 2024 budget.

"We know that any increase in electric rates will impact all Rhode Islanders," McKee said. "That’s why, in conjunction with the budget I signed into law, which provides rate relief for all Rhode Islanders and businesses, I’ve also directed our Office of Energy Resources to use funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to provide additional relief to utility customers who are most at risk. We're committed to continue funding ways to lower costs for residents across our state."

State officials said the $3 million in rate relief from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is expected to support about 38,900 low-income residents across the state. The RGGI rate relief over a three-month utility billing period will provide approximately $26 dollar in savings per month.

State officials also said McKee's freeze on the utility gross receipts tax will provide $18.3 million in household savings and $17.3 million for businesses during the four utility billing periods.

"The winter electric rate relief program last winter supported thousands of households across the state with their electric bills," acting state Energy Commissioner Chris Kearns said. "We’re focused on continuing this effort to provide much-needed direct relief to low-income constituents, while Rhode Island and the New England region face higher winter electric rate periods when compared to winter electric rates over the previous decade."

For customers who are not already in a low-income discounted rate program, they may apply at here.

Rhode Island residents who do not qualify for the low-income rate may explore other options for managing the rate increase. These options include applying for more time to pay, budget planning, grants, debt forgiveness, and shut-off projections. These are explained in more detail on the RI Energy website or by calling 1-855-RIE-1101.

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