RI Energy customers to receive winter electric bill relief in 2027

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — More than 450,000 RI Energy customers will receive electric bill relief in 2027, with credits applied to their bills this winter.

The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission approved $28 million in emergency relief Thursday. The money will help offset higher electricity costs during the winter.

Rhode Island Energy residential customers will receive a $20.45 credit in January, February and March 2027.

That means each account will receive $61.35 in emergency credits over the three months.

The credits will apply to residential A-16 and A-60 accounts. More than 450,000 customers are expected to receive them.

Another bill credit starts in October

The emergency relief will come on top of another credit that is already scheduled to begin in October.

Rhode Island Energy electric customers will receive about $14 per month through a settlement tied to PPL’s acquisition of Narragansett Electric.

The two credits will overlap during January, February and March.

During those three months, residential electric customers will receive about $34 in total credits each month.

That adds up to more than $100 in bill credits over the three winter months.

Together, the two programs are expected to provide nearly $200 million in energy bill relief to Rhode Island customers.

Why Rhode Island approved the relief

Gov. Dan McKee declared an energy affordability emergency on July 23.

The declaration came as Rhode Island prepared for a double-digit increase in winter electricity supply rates.

The emergency order directed $28 million in available Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative funds toward residential bill credits.

The state plans to provide the credits while continuing existing programs funded through the initiative.