Ocean State Community Electricity does not replace Rhode Island Energy as our electric utility: they continue to deliver electricity, repair outages and manage all billing. The program offers alternatives for the Supply portion of your bill. See the Help Reading Your Bill section on the utility website to see the difference between Supply and Delivery sections.
The program is open to any electricity customers in North Kingstown – whether they be a resident, business, a renter or owner.
How Launch Works
State law and the program’s Public Utilities Commission-approved Plan structure the program as automatic enrollment with a required notification and consideration period. Once the program has an official launch date for the program, we will publicize the timing of launch and of the notifications.
Who is eligible for automatic enrollment? Most residential and some business customers are receiving their electricity supply through “Last Resort Service” from RI Energy. These customers are eligible for automatic enrollment, but before enrollment, the program must first notify customers and provide an opportunity to opt-out and not participate.
How will notification happen? RI Energy will provide the program with a mailing list for all electricity customers eligible for automatic enrollment. The program will send every customer on this list a notification letter, with the price of the product for automatic enrollment, other options in the program, and directions on how to opt-out. You will be be able to opt-out via phone, web or a postage-paid mailer. The letter will arrive over a month before your enrollment, providing you a minimum of 30 days to consider your participation. If you do not take any action, you will be automatically enrolled. Importantly, if you do participate, you can change your option or leave the program at any time, without penalty.
What if I have a third-party supply contract? If you have a third-party supply contract, that means you are not eligible for automatic enrollment. You may proactively join the program at any time, if you wish. The Public Utilities Commission advises all third-party supply customers to review their contract terms as their supplier may impose a fee or penalty in order to leave before their supply contract ends. The utility will not provide the program with your mailing information, so you will not receive a letter; however there will be public notifications such as via a press release, web and social media notifications, and updates at the Town Council.
Who makes the decision to participate? Whoever pays the electricity bill with RI Energy decides whether to participate. This can be a renter, if the renter is responsible for the electric bill, or the landlord, if the landlord is responsible for the electric bill.
After Launch
For any customer that does not opt-out and for customers that proactively opt-in to join the program, one the program launch date, they will receive electricity supply from the Ocean State Community Electricity program. RI Energy will continue to send you the electricity bill, and the only change will be the price shown in the Supply section of the bill.
Solar electricity consumers will not be impacted and will continue to receive all net metering credits while participating in the Program.
Budget Billing and Low Income Delivery Rate customers (A-60) will continue to receive those benefits from the utility while participating in the Program.
Any participant will be able to opt-out and leave the program at anytime, without penalty.
Any customers that leave the program will be able to proactive rejoin the program at any time. The supplier may offer such customers a price that reflects market conditions at the time they want to rejoin.
Will You Save Money?
The track record of active programs in Rhode Island is that customers have saved money compared to “Last Resort Service” supply from RI Energy. However, the program cannot always guarantee savings. If you are ever dissatisfied with the program, you can leave at any time, without penalty.
Questions & Support
Have questions about the program design or approval process? Please visit the contact page and send us your inquiry.