Filippi Questions National Grid For Lack Of Preparedness In Washington County -- And Demands Puc Action

10/17/2019

News

State House, Providence, RI – House Minority Leader and House District 36 Representative Blake Filippi has raised serious concerns about National Grid’s lack of storm preparations in Washington County.

House Minority Leader Blake A. Filippi (R, District 36 - Charlestown, New Shoreham, South Kingstown, Westerly)

The communities of Westerly, Charlestown and South Kingstown, which Filippi represents, are significantly impacted by widespread power outages due to last night’s strong coastal storm. Some sections of these communities are projected to be without power for days.

“Once again, many of our residents and businesses are going to be impacted by power outages, possibly for days. The CHARIHO School District, and the Westerly School District, and even classes at URI, have been cancelled. Many businesses are closed. Our elderly and infirmed are without power. It is time for National Grid to restore power to our residents today - and take action so that it is a dependable resource in the future.”

“Perhaps more eye-popping than our electric bills is that we suffer these outages year after year - mostly due to the lack of investment in infrastructure and preemptive tree trimming maintenance by National Grid. The Public Utilities Commission needs to hold National Grid accountable for this lack of a reasonable preparedness and establish proactive measures to make sure we’re protected in the future; and the House Oversight Committee should hold everyone’s feet to the fire,” concluded Filippi.

The Rhode Island House of Representatives Minority Caucus (Republican) is comprised of the following elected members representing constituents who live in the following districts throughout the Ocean State: Minority Leader, Blake Filippi, District 36 (Charlestown, South Kingstown, Westerly, New Shoreham); Minority Whip, Michael Chippendale, District 40 (Foster, Glocester, Coventry); Representative John Lyle, Jr., District 46 (Lincoln, Pawtucket); Representative George Nardone, District 28 (Coventry); Representative Brian Newberry, District 48 (North Smithfield, Burrillville); Representative David Place, District 47 (Burrillville, Glocester); Senior Deputy Minority Leader Justin Price, District 39 (Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond); Deputy Minority Leader Robert Quattrocchi, District 41 (Scituate, Cranston); Deputy Whip Sherry Roberts, District 29 (Coventry, West Greenwich).

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In 1636, Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first working model of Democracy after being banished from Massachusetts for his “extreme views” concerning freedom of speech and religion. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams publicly acknowledged Williams as the originator of these concepts, along with the freedom of public assembly, in the First Amendment in the United States Constitution. Today, Rhode Island House Republicans uphold the liberties designed by our Founders and preserved in our Constitution, and are the primary legislative body promoting lean government, fighting for lower taxes, and advocating for initiatives and policies that improve the economy and in turn, the lives of Rhode Islanders. As members of a part-time assembly, we are small business owners, retired educators, community activists, lawyers, farmers, military service veterans, volunteers, former local officials, retired social workers, coaches, musicians, churchgoers and board directors -- bringing these community engagement and professional experiences to our work, on your behalf, at the Rhode Island State House.