Governor McKee Kicks Off Affordability for All Tour with Executive Order on Energy Relief
Published on Monday, February 09, 2026
WARWICK, RI — At the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers today, Governor Dan McKee signed an Executive Order to build on his budget proposal for lowering energy costs by $1 billion over five years while creating an affordable path to the state’s climate goals.
“The biggest hardship I hear from Rhode Islanders right now is their growing energy bills,” said Governor McKee.
According to the United Way of Rhode Island, requests for utility assistance during the cold months have grown nearly 20% from 2024 to 2025.
“We need to provide relief now, which is why my administration is targeting the charges on energy bills we control—the 24% made up of state programs and taxes,” the Governor added.
The Executive Order strengthens transparency by directing the DPUC to evaluate, quantify, and clearly communicate the anticipated ratepayer cost impacts of significant energy legislation, ensuring stakeholders understand the implications for ratepayers before proposals advance.
The order also directs the Office of Energy Resources and other partner agencies to conduct a review of the State’s Net Metering Program and its Renewable Energy Growth Program with the goal of lowering costs to the public. It also suggests refining elements of the Governor’s budget proposal to improve cost-effectiveness while avoiding significant adverse impacts to existing projects.
The Trump Administration has gutted many clean energy programs and incentives, making the cost of meeting state climate goals challenging for Rhode Island ratepayers.
“With fewer clean energy sources available, the Renewable Energy Standard charge on your bill is projected to quadruple by 2033,” he explained. “Meanwhile, ratepayer costs for large-scale solar projects have ballooned in recent years, growing 250% in the last five years alone.”
“These escalating costs should not be borne by Rhode Island residents and businesses who are already struggling to pay their bills,” said the Governor, adding that Rhode Island already has the fourth-highest residential electric rates in the nation.
Joining the Governor at today’s event were a number of Rhode Island manufacturing leaders, several of whom shared the impact of spiraling energy costs on their businesses, including CEOs from Bullard Abrasives of Lincoln, igus of East Providence, and Vibco of Wyoming, RI.
“Energy costs are one of the single biggest threats to Rhode Island’s manufacturing competitiveness,” said Melissa Travis, President and CEO of the RI Manufacturers Association. “Governor McKee’s executive order supports the necessary steps for restoring balance, protecting jobs, and ensuring that families and businesses are not priced out by policies that ignore real-world impact.”