HOUSE RESOLUTION COMMENDING RHODE ISLAND ENERGY AND LOCAL UTILITY WORKERS ON RESTORATION EFFORTS DURING EXTREME WINTER WEATHER EVENTS

H8226

2026 -- H 8226
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LC005927
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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
COMMENDING RHODE ISLAND ENERGY AND LOCAL UTILITY WORKERS ON
RESTORATION EFFORTS DURING EXTREME WINTER WEATHER EVENTS

Introduced By:
Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Solomon, Chippendale,
Paplauskas, Casimiro, Casey, Kennedy, Ajello, and Shallcross Smith

Date Introduced:
March 03, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, Extreme weather patterns present serious risk to the wellbeing of Rhode
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Islanders and their property, as well as to vital infrastructure, including our energy systems; and
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WHEREAS, The 2025-2026 winter season challenged Rhode Island with unseasonably
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low temperatures, strong winds, and record levels of snowfall; and
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WHEREAS, In January 2026, Winter Storm Fern impacted more than half of the U.S. –
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including Rhode Island – with severe weather that led to more than one million power outages
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nationwide; and
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WHEREAS, The regional grid operator, ISO-New England, acknowledged on February
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3rd that “New England’s power system experienced its most challenging operating conditions
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since the winter of 2017/2018,” adding that “Prolonged cold temperatures drove consumer
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demand for electricity sharply upward, both at peak moments and in overall usage, placing
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sustained pressure on the power system”; and
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WHEREAS, Throughout that extreme cold and at other relevant times this winter, Rhode
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Island Energy’s union and non-union natural gas workers kept the system running and gas
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flowing to homes and businesses across the State; and
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WHEREAS, On February 22, 2026, a State of Emergency was declared in Rhode Island
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and other New England states in advance of Winter Storm Hernando, which ultimately shattered
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previous snowfall records; and
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WHEREAS, Winter Storm Hernando brought heavy snow accumulations of more than

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three feet, blizzard conditions for 10 hours, and wind gusts over 70 mph, knocking down trees,
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damaging power lines, and causing substantial damage to the grid, including 50,000 power
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outages in Rhode Island; and
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WHEREAS, Traveling conditions, blocked roads, road closures, snow drifts, and massive
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snow accumulations created challenging conditions for restoration; and
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WHEREAS, Thanks to Rhode Island Energy’s commitment to safe and reliable energy
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systems and the dedication and perseverance of its more than 1,300 union and nonunion
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employees, the Ocean State was prepared to respond to widespread damage and power outages;
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and
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WHEREAS, Throughout Winter Storm Hernando, Rhode Island Energy deployed
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hundreds of crews across the state to assess damage, clean up debris, and restore power amid
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some of the most severe winter weather Rhode Island has ever experienced; and
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island Energy restored power to more than 99% of the over 50,000
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customers impacted in under 48 hours following historic blizzard conditions; and
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WHEREAS, Prudent investments in critical energy infrastructure are essential to
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hardening local energy systems against extreme weather events and the effects of climate change;
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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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recognizes and commends Rhode Island Energy and its workforce, including essential utility
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personnel, for their efforts to restore power and helping to keep Rhode Islanders safe during
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Winter Storm Hernando and other extreme weather events; 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 Greg Cornett, President of Rhode Island
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Energy.
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