Opinion/Stenhouse: Senators can act to help reduce RI’s energy costs
Most don’t realize that Rhode Island is facing a potential energy crisis: Our state does not have the energy infrastructure needed to meet demand. As a result, we have among the highest average retail prices for energy as compared with other states.
In fact, this is a New England-wide problem. As E&E News put it, “New England lacks gas storage. Its pipeline network is limited. In a cold snap, much of the existing capacity is dedicated to heating demand — prompting frequent warnings from ISO New England [the nonprofit that operates New England’s energy transmission system] that the region’s gas plants could face interruptions in fuel supplies during an extended cold snap.”
You may recall that during a recent winter cold snap in Newport, this “capacity” issue became front and center when the city was not able to obtain the natural gas supply it needed to keep its residents warm. This was a clear warning that increased energy capacity in Rhode Island is needed.
As it turns out, there is an opportunity for Rhode Island’s two U.S. senators to help, if they are willing to put the well-being of their constituents ahead of their climate change agenda …
