Northeastern utilities navigate shifting electricity costs and emissions rules

Energy regulators and utilities in the Northeast are managing shifting electricity costs driven by seasonal pricing and carbon emissions programs.

In Connecticut, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is advancing stricter Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) rules intended to tighten emissions limits through 2037. While DEEP projects these changes could potentially lower average monthly household bills by $1.51 or increase them by 38 cents (in 2022 dollars) between 2028 and 2037, critics note the proposal does not clarify the current total cost of the RGGI program to consumers. Eversource has noted that RGGI increased Connecticut’s wholesale electricity costs by approximately $250 million in 2025, while the state collected roughly $85 million in auction proceeds.

In Rhode Island, customers will see a net monthly electricity bill increase of $16.42 starting October 1 due to rising seasonal supply pricing. This increase is partially mitigated by mandated refunds from a 2022 utility infrastructure sale. Further relief is expected in January 2027, when regional gas cap-and-trade program revenues are scheduled to provide monthly discounts of $20.45 for the first three months of the year.