Rhode Island Energy requests lower winter rates from state regulators

Beginning Oct. 1 and running through March 31, 2025, Rhode Island Energy (RIE) electricity customers can expect lower costs compared to last winter if the utility’s newly filed rates are approved by state regulators.

“We recognize that high winter energy costs are a challenge for many of our customers, and our team has successfully secured lower prices than we have seen over the last two winters so we can pass those savings on to customers,” said RIE President Greg Cornett in a July 18 statement.

The Providence, R.I.-based energy company filed winter electric supply rates with the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC). If approved, an average residential customer using 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity will see savings on their total bill each month compared to last winter, depending on their individual energy usage, the company said.

RIE said that its Last Resort Service (LRS) rates apply to those customers who choose not to shop for their electric supply or are not part of a municipal aggregation program. The LRS rates are a direct pass-through, meaning the company charges customers only what they pay for the electric supply.

This winter, the proposed rate is almost 16.4 cents per kWh, a nearly 8 percent decrease compared with last winter’s rate of over 17.7 cents/kWh. RIE’s winter electric season is from Oct. 1 to March 31, and as is typically the case, the winter season rates are higher than those seen in the summer due to a number of market conditions, the company said.

“It’s important to note that the upcoming rate changes announced [July 18] are not related to the company’s upcoming customer service changes, including a new website and new bill design,” according to the REI statement. “The costs associated with those upcoming customer experience changes will not be passed on to customers.”

RIE offers several payment assistance options, including budget billing, to support customers who may be struggling to pay their bills.

“We work every day to provide our customers with reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy,” said Cornett. “We encourage all customers to explore the many ways we offer to help them save energy and money, including our payment plans, assistance programs, and variety of energy efficiency solutions.”

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