News Releases

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (January 23, 2026) – A significant blast of arctic air is expected to bring extremely cold temperatures across the Eastern US this weekend and into next week, accompanied by a powerful winter snowstorm on Sunday and Monday.  This combination can lead to higher energy usage and utility bills for Rhode Islanders. Rhode Island Energy (RIE) is advising customers on steps they can take to help manage their bills throughout the winter, resources to conserve energy and stay safe, and how the company is preparing for the coming weather.

The company shares the following ways to manage energy costs and stay safe at home:

• Lower your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting and when sleeping or not at home
• Seal drafts around doors and windows
• Open blinds and drapes during the day when the sun is shining for natural warmth, and close them at night to keep warmth in
• Keep vents and radiators clear; make sure furniture or curtains aren’t blocking airflow
• Be mindful that electric space heaters can significantly increase energy use, and always exercise caution when using supplemental or alternative heating sources
• Prepare a storm kit
• Use a broom to clear snow and ice from the gas meter and appliance vents to prevent hazards
• Avoid downed power lines and report them immediately to 911 or our call center at 855-743-1101
• Review our cold weather safety tips for guidance on using heating equipment safely, protecting your home during extreme temperatures and how to stay connected to us.

“Customers should keep in mind that colder weather now may lead to higher bills next month – so we want them to be armed with steps they can take to manage energy usage in advance, and to remind them of resources available to help if needed,” said Greg Cornett, President of RIE. “Additionally, we want to assure our customers that our gas and electric systems are ready for whatever Mother Nature brings our way over the coming days.  Our crews will be on standby and ready to deploy as needed, and we have secured extra crews to help us respond to outages as quickly and safely as possible.”

Resources to learn how to save energy and manage winter bills:

• Bill Help Toolkit: Explore flexible payment options, assistance programs, and resources designed to support you.
• Winter Bill Explainer: Wondering why your bill looks different in colder months? Check out our blog for a clear breakdown.
• Energy-Saving Tips: Simple steps like sealing drafts, adjusting your thermostat, and scheduling heating system maintenance can help reduce energy use.
• Instant Discounts: Shop our Online Marketplace for savings on smart thermostats, water-saving fixtures, and more.
• Track Your Usage: Through the Advanced Metering Functionality (AMF) Customer Portal, you can monitor your energy use in near real-time, set alerts, and better understand your consumption patterns—one of the many benefits of upgrading to advanced metering technology. Watch this Customer Portal video.

RIE Reminds Customers to Stay Connected:   

• Report power outages at RIEnergy.com/outage or call RIE’s Contact Center at 1-855-743-1101 
• Use a mobile device to report an outage by texting OUTAGE to 743674 and text STATUS to 743674 to check on the status of an outage 
• Follow RIE on Facebook, X, and Instagram to stay connected with the latest storm and restoration updates  
• Find restoration updates and view outages in your area by checking the RIE Outage Map 
• Learn more about the restoration process 

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About Rhode Island Energy

Rhode Island Energy provides essential energy services to over 770,000 customers across Rhode Island through the delivery of electricity and natural gas. Our team of more than 1,300 employees is dedicated to helping Rhode Island customers and communities thrive, while supporting the transition to a cleaner energy future. Rhode Island Energy is part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies addressing energy challenges head-on by building smarter, more resilient, and more dynamic power grids and advancing sustainable energy solutions.

For more information visit www.RIEnergy.com and stay connected on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.