Rhode Island Energy Reform

Rhode Island is implementing sweeping energy reforms, including a natural gas efficiency fund. A new stakeholder council, the Energy Efficiency Resources Management Council (EERMC), is working with state officials and others to kick-off an energy planning and procurement process that should significantly increase investments in efficiency and other clean, cost-effective resources.

 

Background

State officials concerned about Rhode Island’s energy security invited ENE to share policy ideas and data analysis, and then later to help draft an energy planning and procurement policy for Rhode Island.  ENE teamed with the POWER coalition, a group of diverse stakeholders including environmental advocates, utility representatives, business representatives, the state’s largest industrial electricity user group, The Energy Consortium of Rhode Island (“TEC-RI”). The POWER coalition drafted and passed successful legislation within eight months. The comprehensive plan set a major precedent for the region and is a model for existing or pending legislation in several other states. ENE remains involved in implementing these new reforms, as a participant in regulatory proceedings and a representative of the environmental community on the EERMC.