RI Launches Website To Help Residents Pay Energy Bills

RHODE ISLAND — The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) and Department of Human Services (DHS) launched a website together Tuesday to provide a one-stop resource for helping state residents pay their energy bills, Gov. Dan McKee said.

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.

McKee also announced an additional $1.5 million in funding to provide relief on electric utility bills for most vulnerable Rhode Islanders, bringing the total relief committed to $5.3 million.

"During this season of unprecedented electricity and heating costs, it is essential that we do everything we can to connect Rhode Islanders with available assistance programs that can help them keep the heat on this winter," McKee said in a statement. "Finding assistance should be simple and straightforward — that is our goal with this one-stop shop website. I am also announcing today we will be providing an additional $1.5 million in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) funds for direct rate relief to help reduce our most vulnerable constituent's electricity customers' bills further."