Quonset firm reaped millions in state energy incentives. Now it backs McKee’s plan to gut them.

“No more silent costs,” Gov. Dan McKee proclaimed Monday at an event in Warwick before signing an executive order to roll back state renewable and energy efficiency programs to save ratepayers money on their monthly bills.

“It’s disappointing to hear from business leaders about high energy costs without acknowledgement of the ways that those businesses have taken advantage of renewable energy and energy efficiency programs,” Emily Koo, Rhode Island program director for Acadia Center, said in a phone interview Monday afternoon.

Koo acknowledged the merits of a more comprehensive review of state incentives for large-scale solar projects. But it was little comfort because the bigger problems — capping energy efficiency spending and slowing the state’s transition to renewable electricity — remain the foundation of McKee’s plan.

“I am still very concerned about energy efficiency and renewables overall being blamed for high energy costs,” Koo said.

Not mentioned by speakers at the event, but top of mind for Koo: the fees charged by  Rhode Island Energy for distributing non-renewable electricity and gas to its customers. While a quarter of monthly bill charges reflect government taxes and policies — including the renewable and energy efficiency programs now under threat — another quarter comes from distribution costs set by the utility provider. This is also how the company makes money.

PPL Corp, Rhode Island Energy’s parent company, faces mounting scrutiny by advocates and lawmakers for its C-suite salaries and payouts to shareholders, partially derived from the profits it makes off operating electric and gas services in Rhode Island, Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

“It’s convenient for the utility that we’re not talking about the utility costs, we’re only talking about energy and taxes,” Koo said. “That’s to their benefit.”

To read the full article from the Rhode Island Current, click here.