Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission

Address

89 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI 02888

Phone

(401) 941-4500Fax (401) 941-1691

Website

ripuc.ri.gov ↗

Utility landscape

• National Grid (New England Power Company / Narragansett Electric) IOU

  Statewide electric distribution serving approximately 770,000 customers across Rhode Island

  Narragansett Electric, operating as National Grid, completed a major multi-year rate case settlement in 2023 that restructured distribution rates and accelerated infrastructure investment; the company faces ongoing scrutiny over grid modernization spending and storm hardening cost recovery.

• Rhode Island Energy (PPL subsidiary, formerly National Grid gas ops) IOU

  Statewide natural gas distribution serving approximately 280,000 customers; also assumed electric distribution branding under RI Energy umbrella post-2022 acquisition

  PPL Corporation completed its acquisition of the Rhode Island gas and electric distribution assets from National Grid in May 2022, rebranding as Rhode Island Energy; the PUC has closely monitored transition commitments, customer service metrics, and capital investment pledges made during the acquisition approval process.

• Providence Water Supply Board muni

  Providence and approximately 20 surrounding municipalities in Providence County relying on the Scituate Reservoir system

  As a municipal water authority, Providence Water operates under city oversight rather than direct PUC rate jurisdiction, but interacts with state regulatory frameworks on water quality mandates and infrastructure financing; rate increases in recent years have been driven by EPA lead service line replacement requirements.

• Valley Resources / Southern New England Telephone (Frontier/Consolidated affiliate — note: telecom limited PUC jurisdiction) IOU

  Portions of northern Rhode Island for legacy telecommunications; gas distribution assets via Valley Gas in northern RI communities

  Valley Gas, a subsidiary of Southern Connecticut Gas/Avangrid, serves northern Rhode Island communities including Cumberland and North Smithfield; the PUC oversees gas distribution rates and pipeline safety compliance for this territory.

• Block Island Power Company (BIPCO) IOU

  Block Island (New Shoreham), now interconnected to mainland grid via the Block Island Wind Farm submarine cable since 2016

  BIPCO transitioned from diesel generation to offshore wind interconnection, and the PUC continues to oversee its unique tariff structures and the cost allocation associated with the pioneering Block Island Wind Farm transmission arrangement.

Key issues

• Rhode Island Energy electric and gas distribution rate case proceedings: The PUC is reviewing RI Energy's pending infrastructure and revenue requirement filings, with intervenors including the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers challenging proposed distribution charge increases and scrutinizing PPL's adherence to acquisition-era commitments on local employment and capital deployment.
• Grid modernization and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) deployment: RI Energy's multi-year grid modernization plan, including smart meter rollout and distribution automation, is under active PUC review for cost prudency and rate recovery mechanisms, with particular attention to cybersecurity standards and low-income customer protections.
• Offshore wind transmission cost allocation and interconnection: Rhode Island's obligations under the New England Clean Energy Connect and regional offshore wind solicitations require the PUC to address how transmission upgrade costs are allocated to ratepayers, coordinating with ISO-NE processes and the state's 100% renewable electricity mandate under the Act on Climate.
• Lead service line replacement cost recovery: Both RI Energy (gas) and water utilities face EPA and state mandates to accelerate lead service line replacement; the PUC is evaluating appropriate rate recovery mechanisms and timelines that balance public health urgency against ratepayer affordability, particularly for low-income households.
• Low-income energy affordability and decarbonization equity: The PUC is engaged in proceedings examining the structure of Rhode Island's low-income heating assistance and electric bill discount programs in light of rising energy costs and the state's building electrification policy goals, including whether natural gas expansion moratoriums or phase-down policies require new regulatory frameworks.

Upcoming

• 2026-09-15

  Estimated deadline for intervenor testimony in Rhode Island Energy electric distribution rate case; Division of Public Utilities and Carriers and Office of Energy Resources expected to file competing revenue requirement analyses and rate design proposals.

• 2026-10-20

  Estimated PUC technical session and evidentiary hearing on Rhode Island Energy's grid modernization plan AMI phase, addressing cost-benefit methodology, opt-out provisions, and proposed customer data privacy rules.

• 2026-11-30

  Estimated PUC order or interim decision on low-income rate design docket initiated in 2025, which could restructure the RI Energy Arrearage Management Program and align electric discount rates with updated federal poverty guidelines.

• 2027-01-31

  Estimated deadline for Rhode Island Energy to file its next annual compliance report on PPL acquisition commitments, covering capital investment benchmarks, customer service metrics, and local workforce retention data as required by the 2022 acquisition approval order.