Linda D. George

The Energy Facility Siting Board agenda includes discussion and potential rulings on three dockets filed by The Narragansett Electric Company (Rhode Island Energy). Docket SB-2026-01 concerns a proposed 0.13-mile 115 kV Tap line near the Wickford Junction Substation, requiring consideration of whether it constitutes an alteration of a major energy facility and its potential environmental impact. Docket SB-2025-04 involves the rebuild of existing F184N-4/5 and E183-3 115kV transmission lines between Warren and the Bristol substation, also subject to major facility alteration and environmental impact review. Docket SB-2025-02 involves the rebuild of Q143S/R144 kV transmission lines over approximately 11.5 miles between Providence and North Smithfield, for which the Board will consider pending motions to intervene and advisory opinions from agencies.

The Open Meeting addressed several dockets. In Docket No. 25-38--GE, the Commission set the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Enhancement Charge Rate for 2026 at $0.78 per month, following a recommendation from the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, ensuring the annual collection remains within the mandated limits. In Docket No. 25-44-EL concerning Rhode Island Energy's Last Resort Service (LRS) rates for the Industrial Group, the Commission approved the motion for protective treatment of confidential information and subsequently approved the proposed base LRS rates for the period of January 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. For Docket No. RES-25-59, the Commission approved Town Square Energy, LLC's motion to waive the filing of final Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for the 2024 Compliance Year, allowing RECs inadvertently retired in a Connecticut account to count toward the obligation. The Commission also discussed the next procedural steps following the release of the evaluation report regarding Rhode Island Energy's billing systems, though no votes were taken on this matter. Finally, items on the Consent Agenda, including applications for eligibility as Renewable Energy Resources and an application for authority as a Telecommunications Service Provider, were unanimously approved.

The Open Meeting addressed several dockets. In Docket No. 25-28-EL, the Commission approved Rhode Island Energy's Compliance Tariff for mitigating winter price volatility for Winter 2025-2026. For Docket No. 25-31-EL, the Commission approved Rhode Island Energy's revised Request for Proposal (RFP) for Long-Term Contracts for Renewable Energy Projects. Docket No. 25-40-WW involved the Narragansett Bay Commission seeking additional revenue; the Commission approved a debt service increase of $4,052,767 and established a final revenue requirement increase of $5,065,959. In Docket No. 25-48-EL, the Commission approved various rate changes and the annual supply procurement plan for Clear River Electric & Water District, effective January 1, 2026. Docket No. 25-49-EE concerned Clear River Electric & Water District's 2026 Demand Side Management Program budget and associated charges. The Commission suspended the tariff advice filing in Docket No. 25-50-EL regarding Net Metering Provision amendments. The LTCRER Factor for Rhode Island Energy was approved for effect January 1, 2026, in Docket No. 25-51-EL. Block Island Power Company's 2026 Power Supply Procurement Plan and proposed rate charges effective January 1, 2026, were approved. The Commission denied the petition and waiver request by Rhode Island Energy to amend Termination Rules regarding cash payments by field representatives (Docket No. 25-57-GE). A vote on the motion to strike testimony in Docket No. 25-19-EL was postponed. Extensive votes were taken regarding Rhode Island Energy's 2026 Energy Efficiency Annual Plan (Docket No. 25-37-EE), including fund transfers and approval of budgets and savings targets. Finally, consent agenda items, including renewable energy resource eligibility and proposed water taxi rates, were approved.

The Public Utilities Commission meeting addressed several dockets. In Docket No. 25-37-EE regarding The Narragansett Electric d/b/a Rhode Island Energy's 2026 Energy Efficiency Annual Plan, the Commission reviewed and approved the Company's compliance filing, including the calculation of resulting rates. Additionally, the Commission reviewed and approved Rhode Island Energy's Tariff RIPUC No. 2095 & 2096 for usage on and after January 1, 2026, which included updates to retail delivery rates and a new Net Metering Credit calculation. Furthermore, regarding Docket No. 25-45-GE concerning the application for approval of a Change in Electric and Gas Base Distribution Rates, the Commission voted to suspend the proposed effective date of January 1, 2026, for up to eight months to allow for a full investigation.

The Open Meeting addressed Docket No. 25-28-EL concerning options for mitigating winter price volatility for the Winter of 2025-2026. Key actions included the approval of applying $23.54 in monthly miscellaneous bill credits to Rhode Island Energy's residential electric customers for January, February, and March 2026 bills. The Commission also approved offsetting the credit costs by utilizing the December 31, 2025 Energy Efficiency electric fund balance and transferring $10.6 million from the storm fund balance. Furthermore, the Commission moved to approve future cost recovery mechanisms for any unfunded balance by December 31, 2026. Other votes included pausing the recovery of the storm fund replenishment factor and pausing the recovery of the Energy Efficiency Program Charge for usage between January 1, 2026, and March 31, 2026. Rhode Island Energy was required to submit a compliance filing.