Establishes a five (5) year moratorium from July 1, 2026, until June 30, 2031, on the RE growth program charge, renewable energy distribution charge and the energy efficiency programs public policy charges on electricity bills.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would temporarily pause three specific charges that currently appear on Rhode Island electricity bills: the RE Growth Program charge (which supports a program allowing residents and businesses to subscribe to renewable energy), the Renewable Energy Distribution charge (which funds the expansion of renewable energy sources), and the Energy Efficiency Programs public policy charge (which funds programs that help people reduce their energy use and lower their bills). The pause — called a moratorium — would last five years, from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.

During this five-year period, electricity customers in Rhode Island — including homeowners, renters, and businesses — would no longer see these specific line-item charges on their electric bills. This would likely result in modest savings on monthly electricity costs for most customers. However, because these charges currently fund renewable energy and energy efficiency programs, those programs would also lose their funding source during this period, potentially slowing or halting their operations.

It's worth noting that the bill is still in its early stages. It was referred to the House Corporations Committee, which has recommended it be "held for further study," meaning lawmakers have not moved forward with it yet and may want more information before deciding whether to advance it.