S 2631Energy Efficiency

Public Utilities and Carriers - Public Utilities Commission

This bill funds a study to identify ways to lower electricity and gas rates for Rhode Island residents.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Feb 13, 2026Committee Senate Commerce

Plain-English Summary

This legislation mandates the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (DPUC) to conduct a comprehensive study aimed at lowering electric and gas rates for Rhode Island consumers. The bill appropriates $100,000 to hire consultants to assist with this research. The study will compare Rhode Island’s rates to other states and identify local energy programs that increase costs. A final report is due by April 30, 2027, which must include recommendations for implementing "energy notes" on future legislation to disclose potential impacts on energy bills.

For younger readers

This law asks the state groups in charge of electricity and gas to do a big homework project. They are given money to hire helpers to figure out why energy bills are so high in Rhode Island. They will look at what other states do to keep prices low and check if any current rules are making things too expensive. By April 2027, they must finish a report telling the state leaders how to lower the cost of energy so that families can save money on their monthly bills.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

RatepayersPublic Utilities CommissionDivision of Public Utilities and CarriersGeneral AssemblyEnergy Consultants

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

$0.06 per taxpayer

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Potentially lowers the cost of living for working-class families and marginalized communities who suffer disproportionately from high energy burdens.
Increases transparency regarding how legislative decisions impact monthly utility bills, allowing for more informed advocacy.
Encourages a comparative analysis with other states, which could highlight efficient practices that protect consumers without sacrificing service quality.
Explicitly targets energy programs that add to costs, which could lead to the elimination of vital renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives funded through ratepayer fees.
The implementation of "energy notes" could be used to stall or block future climate legislation by focusing solely on short-term financial costs rather than long-term environmental benefits.
Prioritizes rate reduction over environmental sustainability, potentially slowing the state's transition away from fossil fuels.

For Conservatives

Seeks to lower utility rates for families and businesses by identifying and potentially eliminating government programs that artificially inflate costs.
Mandates the creation of "energy notes" for future legislation, ensuring that the financial impact of new laws on ratepayers is transparent and exposed before voting.
Promotes a review of state policies relative to other states, encouraging competition and questioning the necessity of Rhode Island's specific regulatory burdens.
Appropriates $100,000 in taxpayer funds to pay for consultants and experts rather than utilizing existing staff and resources.
Relies on a government study and bureaucracy to solve a problem rather than taking immediate legislative action to cut regulations.
Delays potential solutions until 2027, allowing high rates to persist while the government conducts research.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 22 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 39-1 of the General Laws entitled "Public Utilities Commission" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 39-1-64. Comprehensive study.

(a) The public utilities commission (PUC), in conjunction with the division of public utilities and carriers (DPUC), shall produce a comprehensive study for the general assembly by April 30, 2027, to be transmitted to the governor, speaker of the house and the senate president.

(b) There shall be an appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for the hiring of consultants and experts to help research the study required in subsection (a) of this section. (c)(1) The purpose of this study is to compile a holistic study with the sole intent of ascertaining the best ways to lower all energy rates for the consumer including electric and gas. Additionally, the study shall include an investigation of energy rates in other states and see what they are doing, or not doing, to have energy rates lower than what rate payers are paying in Rhode Island. Further, the study shall require the PUC and the DPUC to perform a comprehensive review of all energy programs in Rhode Island that add to the cost of energy, and what programs, if terminated, would reduce energy rates. The study shall be comprehensive and provide a detailed review of Rhode Island energy policies and how we can learn from programs in other states.

(2) The PUC and the DPUC director shall formulate a research plan to conduct the study and hire consultants to accomplish the study mission to find the best way to lower Rhode Island energy costs by eliminating policies that add to the energy rates for taxpayers and any other Rhode Island practices that are not transparent as to the added costs that increase energy bills. The PUC shall make recommendations that any legislation that would affect energy costs have an energy note similar to the financial fiscal notes that clearly and transparently show the positive or negative effect the legislation will have on energy costs. Finally, this study shall empower the PUC and DPUC to study any other areas pertinent to the goal of lowering rate payer energy costs.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.