Governor Raimondo Nominates Acadia Center’s Abigail Anthony to the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission
Providence, R.I. — Today, Abigail Anthony, Ph.D., will appear before the Rhode Island Senate for hearings to confirm her appointment by Governor Gina Raimondo as commissioner on the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission (RIPUC). Dr. Anthony is currently director of Acadia Center’s Rhode Island Office and its Grid Modernization Initiative.
Since Dr. Anthony began at Acadia Center in 2007, she has had a leading role in advancing Rhode Island’s energy efficiency policies and grid modernization to achieve a sustainable and consumer-friendly energy system. This work will continue as she joins the Rhode Island PUC, which is working at the behest of Governor Raimondo to develop a more dynamic regulatory framework that will enable Rhode Island and its utilities to advance a cleaner, lower-cost energy system.
“In the decade that Abigail has been leading Acadia Center’s work in Rhode Island, the state has become a national leader in energy efficiency and adopting reforms to advance clean energy,” said Daniel Sosland, president of Acadia Center. “Abigail’s efforts have been instrumental in this progress and have helped build the foundation for a cleaner, more consumer-friendly and lower-cost energy system for Rhode Island’s businesses and residents. Governor Raimondo’s recent directive to take steps to modernize the power grid indicates that the state is serious about building a clean energy future. RIPUC will play a central role in determining Rhode Island’s energy future. Acadia Center will miss Abigail, but we are excited that she will bring her thoughtful, reasoned approach to the challenging issues before the PUC.”
In collaboration with the Office of Energy Resources and Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, the Public Utilities Commission is currently working to draft regulations that will allow clean energy resources to be integrated into the grid more easily. To comply with the Governor’s directive, they will explore utility function and compensation, the effects of adopting electric vehicles and electric heating, and means of expanding customer and third-party participation.
Today’s Senate committee hearing has been scheduled to confirm Dr. Anthony’s nomination. Acadia Center looks forward to continuing its work in Rhode Island to advance a clean energy future that will build a stronger economic future, improve public health and reduce climate pollution through initiatives expanding energy efficiency, clean energy and transportation, power grid modernization and community energy.
Media Contacts:
Daniel Sosland, President
dsosland@acadiacenter.org, 207.236.6470
Krysia Wazny, Communications Director
kwazny@acadiacenter.org, 617.742.0054 ext. 107
Acadia Center
144 Westminster Street, Suite 203
Providence, RI 02903
401.276.0600