2018 -- S 2318

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LC004485

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

TO REEXAMINE ALL RECENTLY APPROVED UTILITY RATE INCREASES FROM

WHICH INVESTOR-OWNED ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION OR NATURAL GAS

DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES WILL REALIZE TAX SAVINGS THIS YEAR THAT ARE

NOT REFLECTED IN CURRENT RATES

     Introduced By: Senators Conley, Gallo, Seveney, Satchell, and Goldin

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2018

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, Rhode Islanders face some of the highest energy costs in the country. For

local small businesses, high energy costs can stifle expansion and innovation, and serve as an

obstacle to a thriving business climate. For hardworking families, high electric bills can stretch

hard-earned dollars to the limit. Therefore, it is vital that the State of Rhode Island vigorously

pursue every opportunity to lower energy costs; and

     WHEREAS, The United States Congress passed a reduction of the federal corporate tax

from 35 to 21 percent on December 20, 2017. This reduction results in significant windfall for

utility companies across the country; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island’s investor-owned electric distribution or natural gas

distribution company has agreed to use a portion of its tax windfall to lower proposed rate

increases that would be effective September 1, 2018. This concession is a step in the right

direction, but will not provide Rhode Island ratepayers with any rate relief until September 1,

2018. Unless current rates are recalculated, the investor-owned electric distribution or natural gas

distribution company will benefit from corporate tax savings from January 1, 2018 to September

1, 2018, while Rhode Islanders continue to pay an inflated and inaccurate price for their energy;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby joins the Lieutenant Governor in respectfully requesting the Rhode Island Public Utilities

Commission to provide immediate rate relief to Rhode Islanders by reopening the Dockets for all

recently approved electric and gas rate increases from which the investor-owned electric

distribution or natural gas distribution company will realize tax savings this year that are not

currently reflected in the rate structure previously approved by the PUC, or, in the alternative,

open a new Docket to consider this matter; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Gina M. Raimondo, Governor of the State of

Rhode Island, Margaret Ellen Curran, Chairperson of the Rhode Island Public Utilities

Commission, and Macky McCleary, Director of the Division of Public Utilities & Carriers.

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LC004485

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