WPRO News

Attorney General Peter Kilmartin and Lieutenant Governor Dan McKee want to prevent National Grid from charging customers an adjustment fee when they switch energy providers.

The duo announced Tuesday they will testify in National Grid’s onging case with the Public Utilities Commission. The testimony will be submitted to the PUC by Friday.

The commission approves electricity rates twice a year. The approved rates are locked in for a six-month period. Customers who switch from National Grid before the sixth-month period is over may be charged a billing adjustment fee.

McKee says the main issue facing consumers is that there is no easy way to look up energy resources and regulations in Rhode Island.

“Let’s get a website up that actually informs people of their choices in a way that they understand and then let’s get rid of the adjustment as soon as it’s possible,” said McKee.

Kilmartin says the practice is legal but not transparent enough, as customers are often shocked to learn they owe money when they switch.

“What we need is more transparency to educate consumers as to the fact that this may end up costing them money when they change their service providers,” said Kilmartin.

A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for June 4.