On the heels of yesterday’s filing of a proposed settlement in two related dockets at the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC), NECEC today released the following statement.

The proposed settlement announced in the Rhode Island National Grid rate and Power Sector Transformation cases is a very important milestone, and all of the parties - National Grid, the RI Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, the RI Office of Energy Resources, and business and environmental stakeholders - are to be commended. The Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC) was an active intervenor on behalf of the clean energy industry, seeking to achieve an outcome that will create a market for clean energy solutions companies and National Grid to collaborate in developing and deploying a modernized electricity system to meet Rhode Island customers’ needs and expectations for lower costs, more energy choices, greater resiliency, and reduced environmental impact.

“We believe the announced settlement includes many important and visionary components, which if approved by the PUC will enable significant value and economic growth while accelerating the role of clean energy in Rhode Island and the region’s energy system,” said NECEC President Peter Rothstein. “NECEC highlights the importance of provisions that guide the utility to focus more on performance and beneficial outcomes for Rhode Island, an important change from the historical focus on assets and costs. These changes align the interests of National Grid, customers, public policy, and clean energy companies all seeking to advance solutions such as renewables, energy storage, and strategic electrification of buildings and transportation to create a more flexible, cost-effective, and cleaner energy system.”

“This proposed settlement is an exciting next step in Rhode Island’s Power Sector Transformation process, which has become a model for other states across the country,” said Janet Gail Besser, NECEC’s Executive Vice President. “The Raimondo Administration’s leadership and the work of all the parties in the cases is to be commended. We look forward to the Public Utilities Commission’s careful review and then moving to implementation to deliver energy, economic, and environmental benefits for all Rhode Island energy customers.”

About NECEC

NECEC (Northeast Clean Energy Council & NECEC Institute) is the premier voice of businesses building a world-class clean energy hub in the Northeast, helping clean energy companies start, scale and succeed with our unique business, innovation, and policy leadership. NECEC includes the Northeast Clean Energy Council (a nonprofit business member organization), and NECEC Institute (a nonprofit focused on industry research, innovation, policy development, and communications initiatives). NECEC brings together business leaders and key stakeholders to engage in influential policy discussions and business initiatives while building connections that propel the clean energy industry forward.