Following today’s final approval of the settlement in the Rhode Island National Grid rate and Power Sector Transformation cases, NECEC released the following statement.

NECEC commends the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for approving the settlement agreement and applauds National Grid, the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers (DPUC), Office of Energy Resources (OER) and all other intervening parties involved in the negotiations for their work. The agreement marks a critical step towards advancing the Ocean State’s clean energy future by modernizing its electricity system and addressing the needs of customers for lower costs, increased energy choices and greater resiliency. The outcome of these cases will open new markets for clean energy solutions companies to deliver energy, economic, and environmental benefits to Rhode Islanders for years to come.

“This settlement that starts to lay the foundation for a modernized grid that will support the deployment and integration of clean energy,” said Peter Rothstein, NECEC President. “Rhode Island’s leadership can serve as a model for other states grappling with the challenges of creating a 21st century electricity system that meets the evolving needs and desires of customers.”

“This is an exciting step for the Ocean State,” said NECEC Executive Vice President Janet Gail Besser who led the organization’s involvement in the proceeding. “The move to a multi-year rate plan with performance requirements to ensure that system needs, customer expectations and public policy goals are met will help to align utility, customer and state energy, economic and environmental objectives. We look forward to working with all stakeholders as part of the newly established advisory group, as well as in other forums, to achieve Rhode Island’s goals to control long term cost, give customers more choices and information and build a flexible grid to integrate more clean energy.”

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.