No False Choices
News release from the Foulkes campaign
“Choosing between lower energy costs and addressing climate change is a false choice that Rhode Island cannot afford to make,” said Helena. “As governor, I’ll focus on cost-effective sources of renewable energy to meet our climate goals while working to lower costs for Rhode Islanders. Today, I’m outlining my plan to do exactly that.”
Last year, 89% of Rhode Island’s electricity came from natural gas, and our state ranks 44th in energy affordability. Meanwhile, renewable energy sources are consistently the cheapest energy options available to meet rising demand. Helena’s plan focuses on increasing clean energy generation in Rhode Island and taking basic steps to hold our for-profit utility accountable to lower costs for Rhode Islanders.
Ensuring lower rates for Rhode Islanders starts with holding the utility accountable for proposed rate increases. The McKee Administration has allowed Rhode Island Energy and its parent company Pennsylvania Power & Light broad latitude to pass more and more costs on to Rhode Island ratepayers. Thankfully, our AG has fought to hold them accountable to the tune of tens of millions of saved ratepayer dollars.
Helena’s plan, titled No False Choices, rejects the premise that clean energy and lower costs are at odds. As governor, Helena will:
Hold Rhode Island Energy accountable for proposed rate increases
It is time for a governor who will take the driver’s seat and ensure Rhode Islanders are getting the best deal possible in terms of energy affordability and reliability. Under Helena’s plan, the state will audit Rhode Island Energy to ensure that any proposed rate increases are warranted and that ratepayer dollars are being used efficiently.
Accelerate renewable energy projects’ connection to the
grid
Often, the debate over energy and climate focuses on the different ways we produce energy—like natural gas, solar and wind. But one of the greatest inefficiencies in our electric grid is an interconnection backlog that keeps planned energy projects—including mostly renewables—from being built because they aren’t guaranteed access to the grid to deliver electricity to consumers. Helena will push to address this backlog while promoting grid-enhancing technologies to increase electrical capacity and bring renewable energy projects online.
Create a $40 million program for individuals and small
businesses to install solar and batteries
Wars in Iran and Europe and a coup in Venezuela have jolted energy markets and underscored why we must transition away from fossil fuels. Instead of retreating from clean energy like Governor McKee proposes, we can instead invest now to lower our energy costs by increasing the use of solar and battery storage in Rhode Island. Helena will commit $40 million in state funding to expand program eligibility and reduce costs for individuals and small businesses to install solar and battery storage on their homes—increasing our renewable energy supply, saving money for all ratepayers by reducing peak demand for natural gas, and providing relief from high energy bills for the homeowners and businesses who participate.
Install solar-and-battery on 250 schools and municipal
buildings
Helena’s plan will further expand our solar energy generation by installing solar and battery storage on 250 of Rhode Island’s schools and public buildings by the end of her second year in office—increasing solar generation while providing energy savings for school districts and municipalities across the state.
Fight the Trump Administration’s attacks on wind energy
As governor, Helena will do everything in her power to push back against the Trump Administration’s misguided efforts to shut down wind energy in Rhode Island. We need to invest more, not less, in wind and solar energy in order to diversify our energy portfolio, build a more reliable and affordable energy grid, and create good-paying jobs along the way.
Read Helena’s No False Choices plan here.
