FREEZING IN THE DARK: THE STAGGERING COSTS & RISKS OF RI’S GREEN ENERGY POLICIES

A new report from the Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity, titled Freezing in the Dark: The Staggering Costs & Risks of RI’s Green Energy Policies, warns that the Ocean State’s green energy mandates are pushing residents toward a future of unaffordable electricity and unreliable power. With some of the highest energy prices in the nation, Rhode Islanders are already feeling the impact of policies that outpace technological readiness and ignore infrastructure limitations.

The report outlines how decades of legislation and executive actions—unmoored from sound research—have driven up costs while placing the electric grid under increasing strain. It also highlights concerns from utilities and regional grid operators who warn that full electrification without proper planning could lead to dangerous winter blackouts.

Freezing in the Dark: The Staggering Costs & Risks of RI’s Green Energy Policies

A new report from the Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity, titled Freezing in the Dark, warns that the Ocean State’s green energy mandates are pushing residents toward a future of unaffordable electricity and unreliable power. With some of the highest energy prices in the nation, Rhode Islanders are already feeling the impact of policies that outpace technological readiness and ignore infrastructure limitations.
May 19, 2025/by RI Center for Freedom

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

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, 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.
May 19, 2025/by RI Center for Freedom

Center Signs-On to Coalition Letter to Decouple RI from California’s Oppressive Emissions Policies

The RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity has signed-on to…
March 10, 2022/by Mike Stenhouse

Center Co-Signs National Coalition Letter to the EPA to Revoke the “California Waiver”

The Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity is pleased…
May 11, 2018/by RI Center for Freedom

Center: Progressive Policies Root Cause of Electricity Rate Hikes on RI Families

STATEMENT - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2017
As forewarned,…
August 23, 2017/by RI Center for Freedom

STATEMENT: Center Joins National Taxpayer Group to Oppose Carbon Tax Scheme

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2017

15 Cents per Gallon…
March 1, 2017/by RI Center for Freedom

RI Energy Mandates Will Continue to Harm State Economy, Perpetuates Cronyism

MEDIA RELEASE

June 13, 2016

RI Families Once Again Left…
July 31, 2016/by RI Center for Freedom

Center Plays Role in Lawsuit Against RI Attorney General for Climate Change Conspiracy Documents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 27, 2016

Center Assists National…
July 27, 2016/by RI Center for Freedom

REPORT: RENEWABLE ENERGY MANDATES – A POOR INVESTMENT FOR RI

REPORT: RENEWABLE ENERGY MANDATES - A POOR INVESTMENT FOR RI
June 13, 2016/by RI Center for Freedom

Renewable Energy in Rhode Island: Big Cost, Little Difference

The RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity has occasionally weighed in over the years on the energy and related regulatory issues facing Rhode Island, finding that “green” policies cost Rhode Islanders both their wealth and their jobs. Already suffering from one of the worst business climates and Jobs & Opportunity Index (JOI) ratings in the nation, Ocean State families and businesses cannot afford further increases in energy costs or losses in job opportunities.
June 13, 2016/by RI Center for Freedom

The Economic Impact of the Above-Market Deepwater Contract

Download report (PDF)

Published in Cooperation with the Beacon…
March 27, 2014/by Justin Katz

Economic Impact of Rhode Island’s Renewable Energy Standard

In 2004, the State of Rhode Island enacted Renewable Energy Standards (RES) through legislation known as the Clean Energy Act. Many of the assumptions used to justify the Act turned out to be largely inaccurate, and implementation of its mandates will exact more costs to the Rhode Island economy, with only limited benefits, if any.
February 4, 2014/by RI Center for Freedom