In a winter when consumers are expected to face higher costs for heating and electricity, the Rhode Island General Assembly is slated to make energy one of its legislative priorities when it reconvenes next month.
With the intention of getting a jump on the issues, including alternative energy sources and how to help residents tackle larger heating bills, legislators called an energy summit late last month. The event, which spanned eight hours and covered various areas of the industry, will help guide lawmakers in the coming months, said Sen. William A. Walaska, D-Warwick, who serves as chairman of the Financial Services, Technology and Regulatory Issues Committee.
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Walaska said the top priority will be making sure “we get people in need through the winter of 2006.”
The sentiment is echoed by House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox, D-Providence, who said in an outline of the House leadership’s goals for the upcoming session that steep cost increases “threaten to financially overwhelm low-income families and seniors.”
The rising cost of energy comes at a time when the state is witnessing a decrease in federal funds aimed to help people cover their bills.
According to a letter distributed by Gov. Donald L. Carcieri’s deputy chief of staff and executive counsel at the summit, Rhode Island is expecting to receive $12.2 million in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds this year.
Last year, Rhode Island received $15.3 million, which was distributed among 20,000 people in the state. The letter said that approximately 7,000 fewer people will be enrolled this year because of the level of funding. As a result, the leadership has several plans to supplement the federal funding.
Fox said he and House Speaker William J. Murphy, D-West Warwick, will explore state revenue streams to provide short-term help for residents this year.
The leadership also will approach Rhode Island businesses to solicit contributions to a new charitable fund called the Keep RI Warm Fund.
The issue of supplementing the federal fund was raised earlier this year by Carcieri, who proposed using increased revenue from electricity and natural gas gross earnings taxes to help senior citizens and individuals with disabilities pay for their home heating bills.
Aside from helping residents pay their heating bills, legislators also spoke about the need to explore alternative forms of energy.
3 Executive Director Michael McMahon told lawmakers that several efforts are being looked at, including a project that would transform wave power into electricity.
