Providence Journal Daily Briefing: Sept. 25, 2025
Catch up on the top stories Rhode Islanders will be talking about today.
- Rhode Island Energy is hosting events to help customers manage their bills as electric rates are set to increase.
- Electric rates will rise on October 1, a seasonal trend due to higher winter demand for natural gas.
- The company is working with regulators on proposals to help reduce customer bills this winter.
PROVIDENCE – With electric rates set to increase once again this winter, Rhode Island Energy is holding in-person events around the state to help customers with questions about their bills.
Company representatives will be on hand at what are being billed as Customer Assistance Expos to assist ratepayers with payment assistance options, energy efficiency programs and other ways to save money.
The events are coming after criticism of the company spiked last winter as high energy rates and low temperatures combined to push bills up to unaffordable levels for many.
How much will RI electric rates go up this winter?
Electric rates will go up once again on Oct. 1 following the normal pattern that sees wholesale electric prices rise each winter as demand climbs for natural gas, a primary source of heating and electric generation in New England.
The last resort service rate for Rhode Island Energy’s residential customers is rising to 14.8 cents per kilowatt hour, which is lower than it’s been in recent winters but still high when compared to rates over the longer term.
Rhode Island Energy is working with utilities regulators on proposals that would help reduce bills for customers this winter. They include speeding up the payment of bill credits and possibly delaying the payment of certain bill surcharges.
“With affordability top of mind, we want to make sure our customers have the tools and information they need to take control of their energy bills ahead of this winter,” Greg Cornett, president of Rhode Island Energy, said of the customer expos.
How to go to a RI Energy customer expo
Representatives will also be on hand from Community Action Programs, the United Way, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Rhode Island Food Bank among other groups.
A customer expo is being held Thursday, Sept. 25 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Weaver Public Library, 41 Grove Ave., East Providence.
Another is scheduled for Oct. 29 at the Davinci Center, 470 Charles St., Providence also from 2 to 6 p.m.
Smaller outreach events are also being held. A full list can be found here on the Rhode Island Energy website. More information can be found on customer assistance programs at rienergy.com under the heading “Ways to Save.”
