HOUSE RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY URGING THE GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT AND TAKE ACTION TO EXPAND THE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE CAPACITY INTO NEW ENGLAND

H7524

2026 -- H 7524
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LC003631
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
RESPECTFULLY URGING THE GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT AND TAKE ACTION TO
EXPAND THE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE CAPACITY INTO NEW ENGLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Fascia, Quattrocchi, J. Brien, Santucci, Chippendale,
and Hopkins

Date Introduced:
February 06, 2026

Referred To:
House Corporations
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WHEREAS, New England Governors have recently and historically committed to
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regional cooperation to address high energy costs and improve reliability, which for some states
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includes supporting new energy infrastructure and natural gas pipeline expansion to assist in
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stabilizing natural gas and energy prices; and
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WHEREAS, Currently, Rhode Island imports nearly all its natural gas, primarily via the
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Algonquin and Tennessee Gas Pipelines; and
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WHEREAS, In Rhode Island, 87 percent of electricity generated in-state comes from
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natural gas (which is the 2nd highest share in the nation), while 55 percent of the ISO NE (a non-
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profit independent system operator) grid comes from natural gas; and
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WHEREAS, During winter, natural gas demand spikes for both heating and electricity,
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and when pipeline capacity is reached, ISO NE is forced to switch to costlier, dirtier fuels like oil
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and coal; and
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WHEREAS, In January of 2025, coal and oil-fired plants briefly supplied more power to
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NE than natural gas; and
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WHEREAS, No major pipelines have been built in NE in nearly a decade; and
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WHEREAS, In Rhode Island, the average residential rate for ratepayers is now
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32.3c/kWh (reported in the first quarter of 2025), nearly double the national average of
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16.4c/kWh; and
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WHEREAS, Energy affordability and a reliable supply of energy is an essential necessity

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for Rhode Islanders, and helps to ensure our State’s economic stability, security, and public
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health; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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urges Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee to join with other Northeast Governors in supporting
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new infrastructure that can help stabilize natural gas and energy prices and reduce supply risk in
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the market; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee.
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LC003631
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