We, the undersigned, demand immediate action from the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission to address the escalating utility costs that are crushing families, and immediate leadership from the General Assembly to pass critical protections for consumers across the state.

Some Rhode Islanders’ energy bills are over $1000 – and RI Energy still charges them more and more money to fund inappropriate and unnecessary expenses, like lobbying, corporate brand advertising, perks for executives and employees, and engagement with Wall Street.

That’s on top of the money we’re forced to pay to make sure the monopoly’s highest-earning out-of-state shareholders make a profit. That means that as families fall behind on payments, and are made to choose between heating their homes or buying groceries – they’re still being made to foot the bill for corporate spending sprees.

We refuse to stand by while our neighbors suffer. It is time for the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission and the General Assembly to take decisive action to protect customers from inappropriate and unnecessary costs.

We demand:

The General Assembly pass a package of bills that will help bring accountability, prevent utilities from forcing inappropriate and unnecessary costs onto Rhode Islanders, and protect consumers from footing the bill for the utility’s shareholders.

The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission enforce an immediate rate cut for all Rhode Island utility customers, to provide financial relief to households struggling with the high cost of living, ensure access to essential services for all Rhode Islanders, regardless of income

We have a clear opportunity to rein in the inappropriate and unnecessary expenses that drive up costs as Rhode Islanders fall behind on payments. We need tightened, updated regulations that will lower rates and protect consumers for years to come– that means we need the General Assembly and the Public Utilities Commission to act now.