After Federal Action, Rhode Island Desperately Needs a Realistic Energy Strategy

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Cranston, RI – The Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity advises state policymakers to immediately begin work to construct a new and realistic energy strategy that will put the interests of the people first.

In a mortal blow to Rhode Island’s “Act On Climate” legislation, which set mandates and milestones for achieving “net zero” carbon emissions by 2050, the US government last Friday ordered a suspension to further construction of the Revolution Wind offshore wind farm project.

Even RI Attorney General Peter Neronha admitted that the state’s existing energy strategy is “dead in the water” without Revolution Wind. It is becoming increasingly evident that the false narratives put forth decades ago by climate alarmists should no longer be the basis of sound state or federal public policy.

“Lawmakers and environmental officials must dispel themselves of the false promises of offshore wind and the entire green energy agenda,” commented Mike Stenhouse, CEO for the Center. “Instead of our current strategy which seeks to power our state with low- or zero-carbon sources of energy, an unachievable goal by the way … Rhode Island’s new and reformed strategy should prioritize meeting the future AI driven energy demands by seeking to secure affordable, abundant, and reliable sources.”

Governor McKee is 100% wrong in claiming that the costly Revolution Wind project is an “affordable” solution for energy, also stating that thousands of jobs are at risk.

According to the Center, the real risk was taken years ago when state policymakers adopted an extremist energy strategy that was based on unproven science and false data.

The Center specifically recommends that the recently convened special Senate Commission on Energy, whose original charter was to evaluate Rhode Island’s compliance with the “Act On Climate” should recognize the dire urgency created by the state’s misguided energy strategy and instead shift its focus to making recommendations to slow down or repeal various components of the Act.

With electricity prices set to soar and with reliability expected to fall to dangerous levels under its current energy policies, in its May 2025 report, Freezing In The Dark, the Center recommended the state take immediate action, including realistic near- and mid-term strategic objectives:

  • Delay all “Act On Climate” milestones and mandates by at least 20 years
  • Immediately repeal RI’s Electric Vehicle mandate
  • Natural Gas: Work with regional partners to expand pipeline capacity, planning for natural gas to continue as the near- and mid-term primary source of power
  • Fossil Fuels: strategically use coal and oil to maintain grid capacity, prioritizing cleaner processing, while maintaining energy security during the long-term transition to renewables as they become market ready
  • Nuclear: remove restrictions on advanced nuclear technology (e.g., small modular reactors) for stable, low-carbon baseload power
  • Regulatory: review and relax related taxes, regulations, and building codes to ensure they are not overly costly or serve to reduce economic production and output
  • Renewables: expand wind, solar, and hydropower … only as they become more market, environment, and wildlife friendly
  • Energy Storage: monitor technological developments until battery and grid storage is market-ready and to able support renewables for more than just a few hours
  • Grid Modernization: more prudently invest in upgraded infrastructure for resilience and integration of distributed energy sources, avoiding the “sticker price shock” currently forecast

Why the federal action? According to Suzanne Cienki, environmental attorney for the Law Centre at the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity , “the US Department Of Interior” began a review process on Revolution Wind due to legal inconsistencies in the original permitting process. Additionally, the Bureau of Ocean energy Management ( BOEM ) has halted the project due to concerns over national security, ocean navigation, and rights to the ocean.”

Today, CEO for the Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity, Mike Stenhouse, co-signed a letter, along with national energy expert, G. Allen Brooks, requesting Doug Brugum, Secretary of the US Department Of the Interior (DOI), and other federal officials to accept the formal petition previously filed Seafreeze Inc (and others) that calls upon the government to immediately suspend "further construction and energy generation activity" of the near-completed Vineyard Wind off-shore wind project.

Center Cosigns Letter Supporting Seafreeze Petition to Suspend VINEYARD WIND Construction

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Today, CEO for the Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity, Mike Stenhouse, co-signed a letter, along with national energy expert, G. Allen Brooks, requesting Doug Brugum, Secretary of the US Department Of the Interior (DOI), and other federal officials to accept the formal petition previously filed Seafreeze Inc (and others) that calls upon the government to immediately suspend “further construction and energy generation activity” of the near-completed Vineyard Wind off-shore wind project.

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The Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity is proud to announce that CEO Mike Stenhouse has been named to the 2025 class of the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Center CEO Mike Stenhouse To Be Inducted Into College Baseball Hall Of Fame

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?The Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity Congratulates CEO Mike Stenhouse on Induction into College Baseball Hall of Fame

Providence, RI – The Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity is proud to announce that CEO Mike Stenhouse has been named to the 2025 class of the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

“We are beyond excited to welcome the 2025 Hall of Fame Class as we continue our planning for what will become their ‘home’ in Overland Park, Kansas in the College Baseball Hall of Fame,” CEO/Executive Director of the CBF and College Baseball Hall of Fame Tom Jacobs said. “This is another stellar class that represent the absolute best of college baseball. We look forward to celebrating and honoring their accomplishments as well as those of our CBF award winners at the 2026 Night of Champions. We hope you will join us for their special evening!”

Stenhouse, a former Major League Baseball player for the Montreal Expos from 1982-1984, the Minnesota Twins in 1985, and the Boston Red Sox in 1986, has led the Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity since its founding. His induction reflects both his outstanding athletic career at Harvard University and continued contributions as a leader.

He played three seasons for the school’s baseball program (1977–1979) and was a two time All-Ivy Leaguer and hit .475 as a freshman in 1977, second-best in NCAA Division I.

Each year, more than 200 representatives nationwide vote on the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction class. The voting body is comprised of national and regional college baseball media, active and retired coaches, former players, former inductees, college baseball historians and members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) collegiate baseball committee. The College Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2006. Since that time, 175 players, coaches, umpires, administrators and contributors have been selected for induction.

To be eligible for the College Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, players must be out of college for 15 years and have completed one year of competition at a two-year institution in the CCCAA, NJCAA or a four-year NCAA (Division I, II or III) or NAIA institution.

The 2025 class will be honored at the 2026 Night of Champions on February 12, 2026 in Overland Park, Kansas, the home of the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Highlighting the 2025 class are five Golden Spikes Award winners (Kip Bouknight – South Carolina; Mike Loynd – Florida State; Phil Nevin – Cal State Fullerton; David Price – Vanderbilt; and Stephen Strasburg – San Diego State) and eight other players, including former Southern Cal star Mark McGwire. Strasburg (2009 National Pitcher of the Year) and Price (2007 Brooks Wallace Award) join Alex Gordon (2005 Brooks Wallace Award) as previous CBF Award winners to also be selected for the Hall of Fame.

The Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity has released a new report raising concerns about the state’s current approach to energy and climate policy. The report titled, "Freezing in the Dark: The Staggering Costs & Risks of RI’s Green Energy Policies,"  provides an overview of how existing mandates and regulations could negatively impact electricity costs, grid reliability, and long-term infrastructure planning.

New Report Warns Rhode Island Energy Policies Put Affordability and Reliability at Risk

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THE STAGGERING COSTS AND RISKS OF RI’S GREEN ENERGY POLICIES COULD LEAVE FAMILIES FREEZING IN THE DARK

Providence, RI – The Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity has released a new report raising concerns about the state’s current approach to energy and climate policy. The report titled, “Freezing in the Dark: The Staggering Costs & Risks of RI’s Green Energy Policies,”  provides an overview of how existing mandates and regulations could negatively impact electricity costs, grid reliability, and long-term infrastructure planning.

Due to decades of state legislative and executive actions on energy that are not supported by valid research or technologic advancements, Ocean State residents already pay some of the highest electricity prices in the country. In February of 2025, RI Energy President Greg Cornett admitted that it is indeed state public policy that is driving the high cost of electricity for Ocean State residents.

The publication outlines key policy developments in recent years and reviews statements from Rhode Island’s regulatory bodies and utility providers. It emphasizes the need for careful review of the costs and risks associated with rapid electrification and green energy expansion.

In developing a long-term energy strategy for Rhode Island, state lawmakers and department officials blindly prioritized adherence to politicized and arbitrary green energy targets, rather than seeking the most cost- effective and reliable means to meet anticipated future demands for electricity and to provide for a safe, reliable, and prosperous quality of life for the people of Rhode Island.

The report outlines two immediate actions Rhode Island lawmakers can take to demonstrate they recognize the serious challenges posed by the state’s current green energy strategy.

First, it recommends delaying all “Net Zero” energy milestone targets by at least 20 years to allow time for a more realistic evaluation of energy alternatives—an approach already being adopted by other states like New York.

Second, it calls for the repeal of Rhode Island’s electric vehicle mandate and withdrawal from the California-led CARB coalition, citing the lack of necessary federal support and the strain such policies would place on the state’s already overburdened electric grid.

At a long-term level, it is recommended that our state adopt a more realistic all-of-the-above energy strategy that would balance reliability, affordability, and sustainability by integrating diverse energy sources while minimizing environmental impacts.

This approach will maintain the well-being and quality of life for Ocean State residents, by ensuring a stable energy supply, reducing emissions, and supporting economic growth. An all-of-the-above energy approach all will address cost, capacity, environmental, and wildlife concerns through proper due diligence, careful planning, and continued innovation.

Media Release: “Jane Doe” Sues RIDE after Secretly Transitioned Daughter’s Suicide Attempt

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Providence, RI – Last evening, the Law Centre at the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity filed a complaint in Rhode Island Superior Court against Angelica Infante-Green in her capacity as Commissioner of the Rhode Island Department of Education, seeking to strike down the Commissioner’s 2018 Regulation 200-RICR-30-10-1, dealing with gender identity.

The complaint also includes a motion for a preliminary injunction, petitioning the Court to immediately “bar enforcement” of the regulation.

On February 13, the Law Centre filed a legal letter requesting RIDE to repeal the regulation, claiming it “has no basis in state law and is contrary to federal law.” A subsequent letter from RIDE denied the request. Yesterday’s Superior Court filing is the prescribed next step in the appeals process.

The complaint lists “Jane Doe” as plaintiff, whose tragic story can only be attributed to the misguided policies and egregious actions of her daughter’s public school district, which were based on the RIDE regulation in question as well as RIDE’s guidance on trans-gender issues.

According to the complaint, “Unknown to Plaintiff, her daughter (as an 8th-grader) began to socially transition to a boy at school, with the help of school personnel.”

Because of RIDE’s guidance and polices, the complaint further states that “school personnel felt emboldened and compelled to encourage the daughter’s social transition, and to hide this fact from Plaintiff.”

Two years later, in the spring of 2024, as a 10th grader, the daughter attempted to commit suicide. Only then did the mother, Jane Doe, learn of her child’s multi-year transition.

“It can no longer be denied that these non-science based transgender policies have caused actual harm to actual people,” commented Mike Stenhouse, CEO for the Center. “Our attorneys have blown away the argument that aiding in a minor’s transition is somehow beneficial to students and their families.”

The school district continues to keep secrets from Plaintiff, as it has subsequently refused to turn over the medical records of the daughter, a minor, despite an official release signed by her mother and legal guardian. A separate complaint was filed this past Friday with RIDE seeking the records that the daughter’s mother is legally entitled to.

According to the Superior Court complaint, “Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer harm,” as a direct result of the Commissioner of Education’s interpretation and enactment of RIDE’s regulations and guidance.

Further details of Plaintiff’s story are expected to be publicized in the coming days, including how she lost her school district job as a result of her daughter’s secret transition.

There are two primary legal arguments detailed in the Superior Court complaint. First, that RIDE purposefully miscited state law to justify its 2018 regulation, therefore “there is no (state) statutory basis” for it. Second, that current RIDE and school district policies regarding trans-gender students is a violation of current federal law and Title IX regulations.

The complaint was filed by attorney Gregory Piccirilli, who is a member of the Law Centre sub-committee of the Board of Directors for the RI Center for Freedom of Prosperity. He, along with sub-committee chair, Giovanni Cicione, and fellow member, attorney Susan McGee Cienki, are available for media interviews, upon request.

The Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity just participated in a virtual press conference, along with other regional and national think tanks, to call for an extension of the 2017 federal tax reforms that gave every American a tax cut.

MEDIA RELEASE: Failure to Extend Trump Tax Cuts Could Plunge Ocean State Into Recession

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Providence, RI – The Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity just participated in a virtual press conference, along with other regional and national think tanks, to call for an extension of the 2017 federal tax reforms that gave every American a tax cut.

“As if our state government’s economic assault on RI Families is not bad enough – policies that have led to ever-increasing local inflation, with some of the highest energy prices and property tax rates in all of America – and with government plans to increase these costs even more … as if that wasn’t enough … Rhode Island’s federal delegation – our two US Senators and two House Representatives – are continuing that assault by now threatening to impose higher income taxes on us all,” commented Mike Stenhouse, CEO for the Center.

As America enjoys the early stages of a small business hiring boom, Rhode Island suffers from economic indicators that are once again signaling trouble – an increased unemployment rate and weaknesses in our state’s manufacturing sector.

“Failure to renew the 2017 Trump tax cuts would lead to major tax increases for every Ocean State family and business – tax hikes our state cannot afford – tax hikes that could push our already floundering state over the cliff and into a local recession,” concluded Stenhouse.

Inflation alone has cost the average RI family almost $24,000 cumulatively, over the past 4 years. If these job-producing, budget-saving federal tax cuts are not extended … again, the average RI family will suffer a heavy burden – over $2300 in additional annual income taxes, while our state’s 27,000 businesses, employing about 350,000 people, will also pay thousands in new business taxes … all ultimately costing our state a loss of about 3000 jobs.

As produced by Americans For Prosperity, a detailed analysis of the positive benefits of the Trump tax cuts for Rhode Island can be found here: AFP-Rhode-Island-Facing-the-Fiscal-Cliff by Americans For Prosperity . Visit protectprosperity.org to see how much the TCJA has saved families in each state.

This regional call on Congress to prioritize permanent extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is supported by AFP’s “Protect Prosperity ” campaign, which demonstrates how extending the TCJA would allow families keep more of their hard-earned money, boost small businesses, and get our country back on the path to prosperity.

Also participating in the press conference were Greg Moore, Americans For Prosperity Regional Director; Ross Connolly, AFP Northeast Region Director; Dennis Hull, State Affairs Manager at Americans for Tax Reform; Drew Cline, President of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy (NH); Harris Van Pate, Policy Analyst at the Maine Policy Institute; Paul Craney, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance; and Andrew Fowler, Communications Specialist at Yankee Institute (CT).

In a major victory for advocates seeking to protect women's K-12 sports in the Ocean State, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL), under threat of legal action and public pressure, has radically altered its rules and regulations that allow biological boys to compete in girls' K-12 sports.

Major Victory For Rhode Island Advocates Seeking To Protect Women’s K-12 Sports

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Cranston, RI – In a major victory for advocates seeking to protect women’s K-12 sports in the Ocean State, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL), under threat of legal action and public pressure, has radically altered its rules and regulations that allow biological boys to compete in girls’ K-12 sports.

The RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity has obtained a March 14 email from RIIL Executive Director, Michael Lunney, sent to all member school principals and athletic directors, advising them of revised guidance and a near complete re-write of its Article 3 Section 3 “gender eligibility” regulations.

While RIIL’s revised policies still allow schools to determine the gender of students wishing to compete in RIIL-sanctioned competitions, the pro-trans-gender regulation has been dramatically weakened and no longer provides legal cover for schools. The revised regulation now shifts legal responsibility to schools, requiring that they determine how to comply with state and federal law in this regard, putting individual schools and school districts at even greater legal peril.

“While we welcome this important step, RIIL still has not completely protected girls’s sports and the safety of female athletes,” commented Mike Stenhouse, CEO for the Center. “This clever legal maneuver is not enough. Ultimately, RIIL needs to completely prohibit biological boys from ever being able to compete in girls’ sports.”

In addition to ongoing public pressure from crusaders like Robert Chiaradio, an open letter from former prominent Rhode Island student athletes, persistent social media posts, and over 200 petition signers of petition offered by our Center … perhaps the final pressure-items was a federal civil rights complaint filed by our Center’s “Law Centre” naming RIIL (as well as the RI AG, RIDE, and six school districts) as respondents deserving of an Office of Civil Rights investigation for violations of Title IX and federal law. A full chronology of related actions can be found at RIFreedom.org/titleix.

Noting such “significant attention and focus” on the issue, Lunney’s email confirmed that the Principals Committee on Athletics voted and approved the revisions. Article 3, Section 3B-1 (Determination of Gender Based Eligibility) was reduced from a full page to a single paragraph: “1) The RIIL recognizes the value of participation in interscholastic sports for all member-school student athletes. Member schools are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable state and federal law when determining gender-based eligibility for participation. Per Article 2, Section 3B, “proof of and maintenance of eligibility is the exclusive and continuing obligation of the member Principal.”

Expunged from the rules are the gratuitous statements that recognized the rights of students to compete according to their preferred gender identity, as well as instructions for schools on how they might recognize that a biological boy would be allowed to compete in RIIL girls’ sports.

Lunney’s email concludes by stating, “Moving forward, in order to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, it is our recommendation that member schools consult with their legal counsel when making eligibility determinations for participation.”

NOTE: The Center will reach out to Mr. Lunney for additional comment and will provide appropriate updates.

Rhode Island Interscholastic League

Media Release: Complaint Filed with Office of Civil Rights to Investigate Title IX Violations in Rhode Island

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Providence, RI – The Law Centre at the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity filed an official complaint with the Office for Civil Rights at the United States Department of Education last evening, calling for an investigation into alleged Title IX violations by nine named state actors.

Referring to President Trump’s recent Executive Order, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” and a related US DOE “Dear Colleague” letter to K-12 schools advising of planned enforcement of the Trump Administration’s 2020 Title IX rule, the complaint letter named the following entities:

  • RI Commissioner of Eduction, Angelica Infante-Green
  • The RI Interscholastic League
  • RI Attorney General, Peter Neronha
  • Six RI School Districts: Barrington, Chariho, Cumberland, East Greenwich, North Kingstown, and Providence

Each of the named entities has been notified separately of the complaint, which can be viewed in-full, here.

Attorney Gregory Piccirilli, advisor to the Law Centre, crafted the complaint, which includes a letter and 14 exhibits detailing prior communications with RIDE, RIDE Regulations and Guidance, RIIL Rules, and the trans-gender policies of the six school districts.

The 16-page letter, in part, cited the February 28 letter to RI school districts by Attorney General Peter Neronha, which questioned the legality and enforceability of the above cited federal actions and essentially advising state education entities to maintain their existing trans-gender policies.

The Law Centre believes such an approach puts every school district at severe risk of loss of federal funding, discrimination lawsuits, or further OCR investigations.

To avoid legal and financial consequences, the Center recommends that RIDE, RIIL, and every school district in the State should rescind their existing trans-gender policies, if they defy the new federal law, and to craft their own policies that comply with both state and federal statutes.

Piccirilli is a member of the Law Centre sub-committee of the Board of Directors for the RI Center for Freedom of Prosperity. He, along with sub-committee chair, Giovanni D. Cicione, and fellow member, attorney Suzanne McGee Cienki, are available for media interviews, upon request.

The Law Centre at the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity today published a legal letter and filed an official request with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) requesting that it repeal its 2018 Transgender Regulation.

Center Requests RIDE to Repeal Its Transgender Regulation

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Regulation Has No Basis in State Law, Violates Federal Law

Response Submitted To RIDE on February 14, 2025 following Projo Article

Click here for the February 28, 20205 letter from the Rhode Island Attorney General essentially urging Local Education Agencies, School Administrators and Educators to ignore federal law

The Law Centre at the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity today published a legal letter and filed an official request with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) requesting that it repeal its 2018 Transgender Regulation.

As was detailed in the letter, “… this regulation has no basis in state law and is contrary to federal law and guidelines. As such, the Rhode Island Department of Education has placed itself and every member school district in this State at risk of civil rights violations, which are likely lead to investigations by the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, loss of federal funding, and/or discrimination lawsuits from aggrieved individuals.”

RIDE’s 2018 Regulation required each school district or LEA (Local Education Agency) to “adopt a policy addressing the rights of trans-gender and gender non-conforming students … ”

However, it appears that RIDE purposefully manipulated and dishonestly cited language from state law in justifying its Regulation by including “gender” and “sexual orientation” phrases that do not exist in the statute.

Attorney Gregory Piccirilli, advisor to the Law Centre who crafted the letter, this morning filed a formal petition with RIDE to request repeal Board of Education Regulation 200-RICR-30-10-1.

To avoid legal and financial consequences, the Center recommends that both RIDE and every school district in the State should rescind their existing transgender policies, if they were based on RIDE’s illegitimate Regulation and guidance, and to craft their own policies that comply with actual state and federal law.

Piccirilli is a member of the Law Centre sub-committee of the Board of Directors for the RI Center for Freedom of Prosperity. He, along with sub-committee chair, Giovanni Cicione, and fellow member, attorney Sue Cienki, are available for media interviews, upon request.