ENERGY
Why RI Pay America’s Highest Heating Bills
The Truth in One Line
$3.07 per therm — #1 in the continental U.S.
That’s 82% above the national average ($14.93 per 1,000 cubic feet).
Winter peaks hit $12/therm.
You pay it. Out-of-state wind farms don’t.
Your Real Bill – Right Now
Average February (3-bedroom home)
85 therms × $3.07 = $261
$30 fixed fee + $45 surcharges = $336 extra
Total: $720
Annual: $1,864 (up 4.4% from 2024)
Real Stories
Matunuck Beach Road family: $742 in February 2025 — up 38%.
Peace Dale senior: $680 bill — skipped meds to pay.
Narragansett couple: “We heat two rooms. Wear coats inside.” (PUC hearing, March 10, 2025 — 200+ packed Warwick, booing reps)
Why It’s So Bad Here
1. No Local Gas
100% imported via Algonquin pipeline (1,100 miles from PA).
At capacity for 6 states — RI at the end of the line.
Forces $12/therm LNG from Everett, MA — 30–40% spike in winter, impacting energy affordability.
2. Green Fees You Pay
$0.50/therm for Green 2033 — $42/month.
REG charge: $5.75/month (up 43%).
Total clean energy: $25–$30/month — 18–21% of your bill, contributing to rising Rhode Island heating bills.
3. Utility Monopoly
9.275% guaranteed profit — $24.8M in 2023.
Cap at 4% = $60M back to you.
As we look for natural gas solutions, it’s clear that the current situation requires urgent attention to improve energy affordability for residents.
DREW-DAY'S Energy Fix — No Ocean Wind
Keep natural gas solutions flowing by expanding the Algonquin pipeline by 400–600 million cf/day by 2027. This expansion will help drop winter gas prices from $3.07 to $1.50–$2.00/therm, ensuring reliable and affordable heat for over 250,000 Rhode Island homes, including seniors in South County.
Take advantage of $16,000 heat pump rebates with no income test—every household qualifies without red tape. This initiative cuts gas use by 60%, translating to $4,200 saved annually on a $7,000 heating bill. Geothermal underground loops provide clean, silent heating that works even in -10°F conditions.
Count nuclear energy as clean: Millstone Nuclear in Connecticut delivers 2,100 MW, powering 2 million homes with zero emissions and 24/7 reliability. We should amend the Renewable Energy Standard to include it—no more pretending it’s not green. This can save over $100 million in fake renewable energy credits, leading to lower rates and no blackouts.
Importing Quebec Hydro through the Champlain Hudson Express (1,250 MW) starting May 2026 adds a clean, cheap, and reliable energy source. There will be no turbines off Matunuck Beach, just underground and underwater wires. This locks in low rates for over 20 years, resulting in $190 million annual savings for New England.
Local solar and geothermal initiatives offer $10,000 rebates for rooftop solar or brownfield farms (like old landfills). Geothermal pumps generate zero emissions for heating and cooling, eliminating the need for gas. A 75% in-state requirement ensures real jobs in South County, without relying on out-of-state paper credits.
We propose pausing Green 2033 for 10 years or more by freezing the Renewable Energy Growth charge at $5.75/month and the Renewable Energy Development Charge at a maximum of $24/month to prevent further increases. This keeps $335 million per year in Rhode Island pockets—equating to $300–$360 back per family. Additionally, by capping renewable hikes at 2% per year, families can save $100 to $150 annually.
Fixing the grid is essential to prevent blackouts: $50 million will be invested in smart switches to cut outage times by 50%, as proven during the 2025 storm. $20 million will fund microgrids in Matunuck, Peace Dale, and Narragansett, providing local power during storms. There will be $2 million fines if the outage map fails, ensuring refunds to customers. Lastly, a $60 million utility profit clawback will provide a $200 per household refund.
Jessica’s Promise: No ocean wind. Ever. We will block new leases. No mandates. No surcharges. No blackouts. South County first—ensuring all energy sources work together: gas, heat pumps, nuclear, hydro, and local green options—you choose.
Looking into Clean Natural Gas Technologies
Natural gas solutions are already cleaner than coal or oil, producing approximately 50% less CO2 per unit of energy. However, "clean" tech aims to further reduce emissions through methods like carbon capture, renewables integration, and improved efficiency. By 2025, advancements will focus on renewable natural gas (RNG), carbon capture and storage (CCS), and blue hydrogen, all supported by policies such as the U.S. One Big Beautiful Act and global methane pledges. These technologies seek to achieve net-zero compatibility while ensuring energy affordability and maintaining the reliability that natural gas provides, which is particularly relevant for managing Rhode Island heating bills.