Rhode Island PUC approves network improvement plan by RI Energy
The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission approved a request by Rhode Island Energy to invest $290 million to improve Rhode Island’s electric and gas networks.
The project is part of the latest Infrastructure, Safety, and Reliability (ISR) plans Rhode Island Energy (RIE), a subsidiary of PPL Corp., recently submitted. The ISR plans, submitted annually, outline proposed capital investments to strengthen the state’s electric and gas infrastructure. In addition, the plan includes operating costs for vegetation management, system inspection, and other work related to maintaining the safety and reliability of the electric distribution system.
“These approvals are vital to strengthening the safety, reliability, and resilience of our energy networks, and we look forward to advancing this work on behalf of the communities we serve,” PPL President and CEO Vince Sorgi said. “While we believe certain excluded projects are the right projects to better serve our customers, we appreciate the Commission’s desire to complete a review of our Grid Modernization and Advanced Meter Functionality filings, as well as its Future of Gas stakeholder proceeding, before approving additional funding in those areas.”
The commission approved approximately $127 million out of the $181 million proposed in RIE’s Electric ISR plan. In addition, the commission approved approximately $163 million out of the $171 million proposed in RIE’s Gas ISR plan to maintain a reliable gas delivery system. It includes the replacement of 60 miles of leak-prone pipe.
