Bill would create new oversight body for PUC

PROVIDENCE – A House bill would create a joint legislative committee to oversee the R.I. Public Utilities Commission, aimed at ensuring “that Rhode Islanders’ best interests are being protected by the commission,” according to its chief sponsor.
Submitted by Rep. Donna M. Walsh (D-Charlestown), the legislation would create the Permanent Joint Committee on the Public Utilities Commission. The board would consist of four members of the House and three senators and would continually study and review public- utilities requirements, resources, supplies and methods of acquisition and distribution throughout the state.
In a news release, Walsh said that “its most important duty would be to evaluate the reasonableness of public utility rates and rule changes by the PUC.” &#8226