Providence and six other Rhode Island municipalities are launching a new community electricity program in May. The program, called Providence Community Electricity Program, aims to reduce electricity rates for ratepayers and increase the state’s use of renewable energy. Residents will be automatically enrolled unless they opt-out, and there will be no penalty or cost for doing so. Program advocates highlight that the standard rate of 9.4 cents per kilowatt hour is less expensive than Rhode Island Energy’s rate – 9.8 cents per kilowatt hour – for the next six months. Moreover, participants will be buying around 5% more renewable energy at the billing level, and they can choose to buy more or less renewable energy. However, program participants should be aware that the community program’s rates following the initial six-month billing period may not remain less expensive than Rhode Island Energy’s. Bristol and Middletown are also in the process of developing their own community electricity program.