Governor Dan McKee Signs Executive Order 26-05.1 Extending Ratepayer Relief on Heating Bills

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee signed Executive Order 26-05.1, extending emergency energy affordability protections and ordering the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to deploy $18 million in state rate stabilization funds to insulate working families from volatile regional winter electric supply costs.

Protecting Low-Income Households and Small Businesses

The executive order directs Rhode Island Energy and municipal gas utilities to suspend residential utility shutoffs for non-payment across vulnerable medical and low-income accounts through spring 2027. The order also establishes a $200 direct bill credit for 45,000 low-income households enrolled in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Governor McKee stated that Rhode Island working families must not face impossible choices between heating their homes and paying for groceries, affirming the state's proactive relief measures.

Community Action Agencies and Business Feedback

Community Action Program (CAP) agencies praised the direct bill credits for reducing household utility debt loads.

Small business trade groups commended the executive directive for including commercial small-meter relief credits.

Administrative Deployment

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) will begin distributing utility bill credits in October 2026.