2025 -- H 5969

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LC002301

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE DIVISION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES AND CARRIERS

TAKE ACTION TO ADDRESS HIGH UTILITY BILLS FOR RESIDENTS AND

BUSINESSES IN RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Speakman, Cotter, Tanzi, Alzate, Donovan, Boylan,
Kislak, Dawson, Furtado, and Noret

     Date Introduced: February 28, 2025

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     WHEREAS, Access to affordable and reliable utility services, including electricity and

gas, is essential for the well-being of Rhode Island residents and the economic vitality of

businesses; and

     WHEREAS, Many residents and businesses have experienced significant increases in

their utility bills, placing an undue financial burden on them; and

     WHEREAS, These sudden dramatic increases in utility costs disproportionately affect

low-income families, seniors on fixed incomes, and small businesses; and

     WHEREAS, The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the Division of Public Utilities

and Carriers (DPUC) are tasked with “ensuring just and reasonable rates” for consumers; and

     WHEREAS, Because of the financial hardship created by the recent steep increases in

electricity and gas bills, it is in the public interest for the Public Utilities Commission to work to

provide immediate relief to ratepayers; and

     WHEREAS, In neighboring Massachusetts, the Division of Public Utilities, at the urging

of the legislature and the Governor, has entered into talks with the utilities there to revise delivery

rates to provide immediate relief for customers; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

respectfully requests that the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers takes similar

immediate and meaningful action to address the burden of high utility bills by seeking similar rate

relief from Rhode Island Energy for Rhode Island’s ratepayers; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House hereby further requests that the DPUC report to the

Speaker of the House on or before April 22nd, 2025, on the progress and outcomes of these

actions; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Administrator of the Rhode Island Division

of Public Utilities and Carriers.

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LC002301

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