HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO TERMINATE GAS LINE EXTENSION ALLOWANCES AS PART OF DOCKET 25-45-GE

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Boylan and 4 co-sponsors

Terminate gas line extension allowances in RIPUC tariffs to stop cross-subsidizing new gas connections.

04/28/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Fast overview

Type: House Resolution

Title: Requesting the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission to terminate gas line extension allowances as part of Docket 25-45-GE

Introduced: February 27, 2026

Sponsor(s): Representatives Cortvriend, McGaw, Kazarian, Spears, Boylan (additional co-sponsors listed)

Committee: House Corporations

Status: Recommended to be held for further study (as of April 28, 2026)

Purpose and intent

The resolution asks the Rhode Island General Assembly to urge the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC) to terminate the practice of gas line extension allowances.

The request is tied to ongoing regulatory proceedings (Docket 25-45-GE), which concerns adjusting distribution rates and modifying tariffs for Rhode Island Energy (the utility).

Key provisions and changes proposed

Targeted policy change: Terminate gas line extension allowances within the RIPUC tariff framework.

Context cited:

The current tariff (RIPUC RIE-GAS No. 101) allows the utility to spread the cost of connecting new customers to the gas distribution system across all gas customers.
The resolution frames this as a subsidy that funds new gas infrastructure, potentially locking in gas use for heating beyond 2050 emissions goals.
By contrast, electric customers already pay for their own new distribution connections, according to the resolution.

Scope: The resolution requests action specifically as part of Docket 25-45-GE, which is the proceeding before RIPUC to adjust distribution rates and modify tariffs.

Who would be affected

Rhode Island Energy (the gas utility): The mechanism of gas line extension allowances would be terminated, altering how new gas system connections are funded.

Gas customers / customers of Rhode Island Energy: Changes to tariff structure could shift who bears the cost of new gas connections (potentially reducing cross-subsidization across all customers).

Electric customers: The resolution contrasts with electric connection funding, which is already borne by individual customers; the proposal aims to align treatment across fuels from a cost-recovery perspective.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Process in play: Docket 25-45-GE at RIPUC (rate adjustment and tariff modification proceeding).

Legislative action: The House is urging RIPUC to adopt the termination of gas line extension allowances within that docket.

Status note: As of late April 2026, the measure was reported out of committee with a recommendation to hold for further study, indicating ongoing consideration but no final legislative action yet.

Practical implications and considerations

If RIPUC adopts the recommendation, the cost structure for expanding the gas distribution network could change, potentially reducing the implicit subsidy that spreads gas line extension costs across all gas customers.

The change could influence future decisions about gas expansion, adoption of alternative heating technologies, and alignment with state climate goals to reduce reliance on gas for home heating by 2030–2050.

If you’d like, I can add a comparison to the current tariff text (RIE-GAS No. 101) or provide a brief stakeholder-impact matrix (ratepayers, Rhode Island Energy, policymakers).

Bill