PUC Approves Governor McKee’s $28 Million in Winter Electric Bill Relief

What this means

Combined emergency and hold-harmless credits will deliver significant additional relief to residential electric customers this winter PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced that, as a direct result of the Energy Affordability Emergency he declared in July, the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission has approved $28 million in direct winter electric bill relief for Rhode Island households. The emergency order directed the Office of Energy Resources to use available Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative funds to provide immediate, across-the-board relief as residents face higher electricity costs this winter.

Official release

Source material from Rhode Island Governor’s Office. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

PUC Approves Governor McKee’s $28 Million in Winter Electric Bill Relief

Published on Thursday, September 24, 2026

Combined emergency and hold-harmless credits will deliver significant additional relief to residential electric customers this winter

PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee today announced that, as a direct result of the Energy Affordability Emergency he declared in July, the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission has approved $28 million in direct winter electric bill relief for Rhode Island households. The emergency order directed the Office of Energy Resources to use available Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative funds to provide immediate, across-the-board relief as residents face higher electricity costs this winter.

Under the approved plan, Rhode Island Energy residential customers will receive a $20.45 credit in January, February, and March 2027, totaling $61.35 per account. The credits will apply to residential A-16 and A-60 accounts and will reach more than 450,000 customers statewide.

The emergency relief will come on top of additional bill credits secured by the McKee Administration through the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers. Beginning in October, Rhode Island Energy electric customers will receive approximately $14 per month through the recently approved hold-harmless settlement related to PPL's acquisition of Narragansett Electric. During January, February, and March, those credits will be combined with the Governor's emergency RGGI relief, providing residential electric customers with roughly $34 per month in combined bill credits, or more than $100 in relief over the three winter months.

Together, the two initiatives will deliver nearly $200 million in direct energy bill relief to Rhode Island customers.

“I’ve said for years that energy affordability is one of my top priorities, and that I will use every tool available to lower costs for Rhode Islanders,” said Governor McKee. “This summer, we took unprecedented emergency action because families needed relief, and today we are delivering on that commitment. Together with the other relief we have secured, Rhode Island households are now seeing historic support on their energy bills at a time when they need it most.”

Governor McKee declared the energy affordability emergency on July 23 in response to an impending double-digit increase in winter electricity supply rates amid already elevated electricity costs and growing financial pressure on households. The order directed $28 million in available RGGI auction reserves toward uniform residential bill credits while allowing existing RGGI-funded projects and programs to continue.

Date

Thu, 09/24/2026 - 13:18

Release text attributed to Rhode Island Governor’s Office. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.