Rhode Island’s electricity costs (~28 cents/kWh) are significantly higher than the national average (~18 cents/kWh), often ranking among the most expensive states and driven by reliance on natural gas, higher demand, and infrastructure costs. One key strategy to reduce energy bills is to make RI’s homes more energy
efficient through weatherization, yet many RI residents are not taking advantage of the no cost or low-cost upgrades available to them. The URI Cooperative Extension Energy Literacy Initiative (CEELI), with support from the RI Energy Efficiency Council (EEC), established the “Efficient Housing for All” Community of Practice (EHACoP) to function as a venue for issue identification and analysis, idea exchange, and solution development related to nonparticipation in income eligible services for home energy efficiency. The effort was validated by multiple governmental organizations working adjacently to elevate solutions to prevalent energy equity-related issues in RI.
High Energy Burden and Poor Health
According to the Energy Justice Institute, when families can’t afford adequate heating or cooling, they face increased risks of temperature-related illness or even death. Poor indoor air quality from inadequate ventilation and the use of hazardous heating methods (like using ovens for heat) can trigger or exacerbate respiratory conditions. The link between energy insecurity and adverse mental, respiratory and child health is well documented. In Rhode Island, many families face a “heat or eat” dilemma, and must choose between paying their utility bills and paying for food, medicine or healthcare.
In Rhode Island, many families face a “heat or eat” dilemma, and must choose between paying their utility bills and paying for food, medicine or healthcare. Energy efficiency through home weatherization presents an opportunity to address these health disparities and decrease energy burden for families. In 2023, researchers projected several energy efficiency and conservation scenarios, demonstrating the long-term impacts of household energy use on health and climate outcomes
Learn MoreIn the News
Rhody Today:
URI Cooperative Extension Aiming to Connect All Rhode Islanders to Increased Home Energy Efficiency
Power 102.1FM:
Por qué no usamos los programas de energía disponibles?