Representative Robert B. Lancia to Host Informational Workshops to Discuss National Grid’s Electric Rates and Rate Hike

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​STATE HOUSE  --  On Tuesday, October 24th, 2017, Representative Robert B. Lancia (R-District 16 Cranston) and the Burrillville Land Trust will host a public panel discussion to discuss National Grid’s recently approved 53% rate hike.  The event will take place at the Cranston Central Library, located at 140 Sockanosset Cross Road, in Cranston from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The public is invited to attend and bring their electric bills.

“Despite vehement public opposition for Rhode Island’s Public Utilities Commission to approve the 53% rate increase for electricity, per request of National Grid, it voted to approve it.  The decision to raise the cost of energy from 6.3 cents per kilowatt hour to 9.5 cents is too hard for families trying to make ends meet,” said Rep. Lancia.
 
“I am asking that residents show up to this forum, and bring their electric bills, for a full breakdown of costs, and also to discuss their displeasure with the recently approved rate increase.  I expect this to be a lively interactive look at rate increases and the cost of electricity in Rhode Island.  Panel experts on energy use and more will be on hand to answer questions about why RI electricity rates are among the highest in the nation.  They will also gladly take questions from the audience.  I am really excited about meeting with the public and sending a clear message to National Grid and the Public Utilities Commission that Rhode Island taxpayers are fed up,” he added. 
 
Paul A. Roselli of the Burrilleville Land Trust said, “I want to explore why Meg Curran, Chairwoman of the Rhode Island Public Utilities, appointed by Governor Gina M. Raimondo, said that the utility is entitled to recover the cost of the energy it provides?  Curran also said rejecting the proposal could end up costing ratepayers more.  The math just doesn’t add up.” 
 
Panel members include:
 
Rhode Island State Representative Robert B. Lancia, District 16 in Cranston.
 
Paul A. Roselli - Burrillville Land Trust
 
Peter Galvin - A graduate of Yale College and holds law degree from Case-Western University. Galvin joined the US Department of Labor, where he spent 30 years, focusing on worker safety and health, including a stint under Robert Reich with the Department's Congressional Affairs office. He is an expert on administrative law and the intersection between the legislative and executive branches of government.
 
Seth Handy, Esq. - Seth Handy is the principal of Handy Law, LLC, a law firm that counsels clients on energy, real estate, business, environmental and dispute resolution matters.  He worked with the Washington County Regional Planning Council on the implementation of performance contracting for energy efficiency and represents the Partnership for RI Streetlight Management (PRISM) and the League of Cities and Towns on municipal streetlight reform, including the passage and implementation of RI’s Municipal Streetlights Investment Act.  Seth serves by appointment as Commissioner of the Narragansett Bay Commission.
 
Priscilla De La Cruz, Marketing & Membership Director for Energy Consumers Alliance of New England {dba People’s Power & Light in RI and Mass Energy Consumers Alliance in Mass}.

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For more information, contact:
Raina C. Smith, House Minority Office
State House Room 106
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2259