Respectfully Urging the Governor to Support and Take Action to Expand the Natural Gas Pipeline Capacity into New England

WHEREAS, New England Governors have recently and historically committed to regional cooperation to address high energy costs and improve reliability, which for some states includes supporting new energy infrastructure and natural gas pipeline expansion to assist in stabilizing natural gas and energy prices; and

WHEREAS, Currently, Rhode Island imports nearly all its natural gas, primarily via the Algonquin and Tennessee Gas Pipelines; and

WHEREAS, In Rhode Island, 87 percent of electricity generated in-state comes from natural gas (which is the nd highest share in the nation), while 55 percent of the ISO NE (a non- profit independent system operator) grid comes from natural gas; and

WHEREAS, During winter, natural gas demand spikes for both heating and electricity, and when pipeline capacity is reached, ISO NE is forced to switch to costlier, dirtier fuels like oil and coal; and

WHEREAS, In January of 2025, coal and oil-fired plants briefly supplied more power to NE than natural gas; and

WHEREAS, No major pipelines have been built in NE in nearly a decade; and

WHEREAS, In Rhode Island, the average residential rate for ratepayers is now 32.3c/kWh (reported in the first quarter of 2025), nearly double the national average of 16.4c/kWh; and

WHEREAS, Energy affordability and a reliable supply of energy is an essential necessity for Rhode Islanders, and helps to ensure our State’s economic stability, security, and public health; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby urges Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee to join with other Northeast Governors in supporting new infrastructure that can help stabilize natural gas and energy prices and reduce supply risk in the market; 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 Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee.