PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Lt. Governor Daniel J. McKee released the following statement after the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to end the "billing adjustment" practice that left thousands of customers with unexpected charges on their bills after they switched to competitive electricity suppliers last winter:
"I applaud the PUC for voting to end the billing adjustment, which has been a barrier to the type of competitive electricity market that could bring small businesses and residential customers real relief in their energy bills.
I intervened in this case on behalf of small businesses, which face some of the highest energy costs in the nation. We advocated to eliminate the adjustment, like Massachusetts and New Hampshire recently did, as part of an overall effort to boost business friendliness and create robust competition that can benefit everyone.
The Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, along with our office and the office of the Attorney General, received hundreds of complaints about the adjustment, and all of the parties in the case, including National Grid, favored eliminating it. I thank the Commissioners for listening to everyone who spoke out on this issue. This decision is a big win for small business and an important step in the right direction.
My office will continue to intervene with the PUC on any case that negatively impacts small businesses in Rhode Island. I will also continue to advocate for a consumer website that drives competition and helps ratepayers get the information they need to make informed decisions about their electricity supplier."
Media Contact: Erika Niedowski, erika.niedowski@ltgov.ri.gov, 401-222-1445