The Energy Consumer's Bulletin- a New England energy news blog

Action Alert: Oppose the Rhode Island Electric Vehicle Fee

Recently, electric vehicles (EVs) have been in the news because various states around the country – including our very own Rhode Island – are introducing extra registration fees for EVs. Though in some cases these fees are clearly punitive and motivated by politics, these registration fees are being justified as a way to balance out the fact that EV drivers don’t pay the gas tax. Here at Green Energy Consumers, we oppose a special EV registration fee – it's a disincentive to electrify at a time when we need to replace combustion engines as quickly as possible with EVs. However, the question of how to fund our roads and bridges is a fair one. It’s just way bigger than EVs versus gas cars.

New Smart Charging Program for EV Drivers in Rhode Island

Here at Green Energy Consumers Alliance, we talk a lot about the need for managed charging programs for electric vehicles (EVs), both to reduce stress on our electric grid and to incentivize more EV adoption. So, we’re excited to announce that Rhode Island Energy (RIE) has just launched a new Electric Vehicle Demand Response (EVDR) program. Here are all the details and how you can sign up to help reduce grid demand during peak times – and earn up to $70!

Let's Rally: MA & RI Lead On Climate and Must Continue To Do So

Last week's national election was horrible for federal energy and climate policy. Green Energy Consumers Alliance is not chartered to engage in elections, but we are allowed to talk policy. So, we will.  

PowerUpRI: Rhode Island’s New Home EV Charging Rebate Program

The Office of Energy Resources, in collaboration with the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, just launched a home electric vehicle (EV) charging rebate program! PowerUpRI provides rebates for both homeowners and landlords to install EV charging stations on their properties, making the transition to electric vehicles more accessible and affordable.

Rhode Island Is First State to Complete Phase 1 Under National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program

We write with some exciting news regarding Rhode Island’s transportation emission reduction efforts! Last week, Rhode Island became the first state in the nation to complete Phase 1 of the alternative fuel corridor under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program. The NEVI program is part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and funds states to deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, aiming to create an interconnected network that enhances data collection, access, and reliability for EV charging funding and development.

Building & Transportation Emissions Heading in the Wrong Direction

At Green Energy Consumers Alliance, we’re all about that “think globally, act locally” thing. So it hurts to report that our beloved states, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, have carbon emissions going up, not down as their laws and the planet require. Unfortunately, this is true at a global and national level as well. These sobering facts are a renewed call to action for all of us.

Rhode Island Must Get Serious About Decarbonizing Buildings

The Act on Climate is one of the strongest climate policies in the nation, mandating that Rhode Island reduce its emissions 45% by 2030 and net-zero by 2050. However, the law is not self-implementing. For the state to meet these targets, it must implement additional policies, especially in the building sector, which accounts for nearly 40% of the state's greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Despite this significant contribution to GHGs, Rhode Island lacks a clear, actionable plan to decarbonize buildings.

Support the Rhode island Building Decarbonization Act!

UPDATE JUNE 6 2024: The Building Decarbonization Act urgently needs your help to pass in the House!

Call the Governor & Speaker:

Please take action by calling Governor McKee and Speaker Shekarchi’s offices before Friday, June 14! Speak to a staff member, or leave a message. They will be tallying your calls!

Governor McKee's office: (401) 222-2080 

Speaker Shekarchi's office: (401) 222-2447

Here's what to say:

"Hello, my name is [Name], and I live in [City/Town], RI.  I am calling to ask Speaker Shekarchi to support the Building Decarbonization Act (H-7617, and S-2952) and sign it into law this session." 

There are weeks not months left in Rhode Island’s 2024 legislative session, which means we must act urgently to pass crucial legislation for climate. 

This year, our top priority is the Building Decarbonization Act (H7617/S2952), as Rhode Island is not currently on track to achieve the emissions reductions required by the Act on Climate, and that is especially true in the building sector which makes up over a third of the state's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Rhode Island Wants Your Feedback on New Electric Car Charging Stations!

Rhode Island is preparing to install new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and wants to hear from you about where those stations should go. This is great news for EV drivers and potential EV drivers. So where is this funding coming from, what is the plan, and how do you provide input? Read on!

New EPA Vehicle Standards & What They Mean for Massachusetts & Rhode Island

Recently, the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final vehicle emissions regulations for vehicle model years 2027 through 2032. You’ve likely seen lots of headlines about this. As the New York Times put it, “in terms of lowering the emissions that are heating the planet, this regulation does more than any other climate rule issued by the federal government and more than any measure planned in the remainder of Mr. Biden’s first term." In this blog, we’ll cover what these regulations are, why they’re so important, and how they interact with electric vehicle (EV) policies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.