George Wiley Center Organizes Against RI Energy’s Proposed Massive Rate Increases

George Wiley Center Organizes Against RI Energy’s Proposed Massive Rate Increases

One of Rhode Island’s leading anti-poverty groups is highly critical of RI Energy's proposed rate increase in residential electricity and natural gas costs.

The George Wiley Center, the longest-running statewide anti-poverty group in Rhode Island, has organized a community “speak out” and press conference on Friday at 12 noon at its Pawtucket offices, located at 32 East Avenue. 

 “In the past year, the PPL corporation bought out the Rhode Island branch of National Grid and is now branding itself as 'Rhode Island Energy.' They are proposing a rate increase of nearly 50% while, on the other side of the Atlantic, even the conservatives in the Tory party are talking about a freeze on utility rate increases for the next 18 months,” said the Wiley Center in a statement.

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"The time to speak out is now. We won’t accept these enormous rate increases. We reject these proposed rate hikes that will cause widespread utility terminations to thousands of struggling families in Rhode Island, right before winter sets in." said Camilo Viveiros, executive director of the George Wiley Center.

"In less than a year since acquiring control of our public utility services from National Grid, RI Energy has proposed historic rate hikes for electric and natural gas services. For electricity, RI Energy is proposing a rate hike of 47% and for natural gas they are proposing a rate hike of 15%. In order for these rate hikes to go into effect, they both have to be approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Alongside the George Wiley Center, we stand against RI Energy’s request to enact the largest rate increase in decades for electric and natural gas services. During a time where working people, families, and seniors are struggling with inflation and stagnant incomes, we cannot allow for our utility rates to drastically increase." Said Rep. David Morales

“Here in New England, we’ve seen some steps taken towards reducing utility costs. For example, in New Hampshire, the Republican Governor Chris Sununu announced 100 million dollars in state emergency energy relief to assist people with their electric bills. This will allow customers in the state of New Hampshire to receive a $100 bill credit, without any application process. Meanwhile, in Rhode Island, Governor [Dan] McKee celebrated a funding for $60 per customer deduction that will last only one month,” added the Center.

"Recently, the George Wiley Center refused to host a press conference celebrating the Governor of Rhode Island's 'utility relief' plan that offers people only a small one-time rebate. This one-time deduction won't mean anything if we don't stop a 50% rate increase being put in place for a longer term. Offering struggling families less than a month of relief while not stepping up to defend our interests only adds insult to injury," said the Wiley Center.

"It is embarrassing that while most of our elected and public officials consider themselves ‘progressives’ in Rhode Island they fail to do more than Tories in England or even Republicans in other states in New England," added the organization.