McKee says key energy council needs a reshuffle. Members say it’s ‘retribution.’

Key Points

• A Rhode Island Senate committee has delayed Governor Dan McKee’s appointments to a state energy board.
• The move comes amid concerns the governor is trying to replace members who opposed his proposed cuts to clean energy spending.
• One of the members being replaced, Sue AnderBois, called the governor’s action retribution for her criticism.
• Advocates noted there are other vacant seats on the council that could be filled instead of replacing current members.

In an unusual move, a Senate committee is holding back the appointments of new members to a state energy board amid concerns that Gov. Dan McKee is trying to push out current members who have disagreed with his proposals to cut spending on clean energy programs. 

Emily Koo, Rhode Island director of the Acadia Center, raised concerns about a weakening of the Energy Efficiency Council.

“I’ve seen the recent erosion of the ability of the Energy Efficiency Council to provide sufficient oversight,” she said.

To read the full article from the Providence Journal, click here.