WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) — Gov. Dan McKee addressed the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on Monday morning, urging the body to approve a two-year proposal that would help reduce customers’ winter utility bills.
According to state regulators, the proposal stems from an agreement made with Rhode Island Energy that would give all accounts a fixed credit on their electric and gas bills for January, February, and March of 2026 and 2027, totaling more than $150 million in relief. It has already been approved by the PUC’s partner agency, the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (DPUC).
The deal would fulfill the “hold harmless commitment” that PPL Corporation made when it acquired R.I. Energy’s infrastructure from National Grid in 2022. The agreement required a commitment from R.I. Energy to hold ratepayers harmless from any tax benefit the company received and would provide credits to ratepayers, according to the DPUC.
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However, regulatory documents reveal it would also allow the company to “increase rates over many years” in a manner consistent with its tax status, meaning ratepayers might effectively be on the hook for that $150 million over the next several years…