Rhode Island families face $70-plus delivery fees on $50 in power use, protesters say

Rhode Island residents are calling for answers after receiving electricity bills with delivery charges that they say exceed the cost of the power itself.

Here's what to know

Protesters demanded transparency and accountability from Rhode Island Energy at a protest held at the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission's Warwick offices, according to WJAR.

Laurilim Rosado, a Central Falls City Council member, raised concerns about the financial strain on families at the protest.

"There's families paying for the regular energy [as low as] $50, $60, but the delivery fee is more than $70 and up," she said. "Our families are in need and deserve respect."

Falling two months behind on payments led to an electricity shutoff for Rosado's mother, who relies on an oxygen machine.

"The delivery charges are too high to have her in the condition that she needs," Rosado said.

What's being done?

Rhode Island Energy said the delivery charges are meant to "support the construction, maintenance and safe operation of critical infrastructure across Rhode Island."

The company said customers' delivery payments cover equipment, power lines, and storm cleanup. It added that some customers will receive credits on their winter bills.

For Rosado, paying for electricity can mean making difficult decisions about other household necessities.

"Deciding, I feed my family, or I pay the electric bill," she emphasized.

Where can I learn more?

Rhode Island residents aren't the only ones questioning their electricity bills. These stories cover rising rates, surprise charges, utility profits, and families struggling to afford necessities across the U.S.

• Delaware residents face rising electricity bill costs across all three components, an advocate warns.

• In New Jersey, voters call electric bills unreasonable and want utility profits cut.

• In Virginia, Dominion customers paid billions in surprise charges after repeated fuel-cost forecast misses.

• In Richlands, Virginia, $1,000 utility bills tied to generator debt force families to skip groceries.

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