Alex Kuffner

2 weeks ago | providencejournal.com | Alex Kuffner

A federal judge ordered FEMA to release funds to 23 states and the District of Columbia that sued the Trump administration for freezing congressionally authorized funding. The judge ruled that FEMA's manual review process, which the administration said was to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse, was actually an indefinite pause on payments. The states argued that FEMA's actions violated a previous court order that required the administration to resume payments.

3 weeks ago | providencejournal.com | Alex Kuffner

Several environmental nonprofits are suing the Trump administration over a freeze on federal funding, claiming it has forced them to delay critical projects and furlough staff. The plaintiffs argue that the freeze, enacted through an executive order and subsequent memo, is arbitrary and has caused irreparable harm to their organizations and the communities they serve.

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Alex Kuffner

PROVIDENCE – On a day that brought some good news with a reduction in electric rates for most Rhode Islanders, state utilities regulators also raised concerns about the escalating costs of capital investments in energy infrastructure sought by the state’s dominant electric and natural gas company. The Public Utilities Commission sorted the approval of new electric rates for Rhode Island Energy customers on last resort service without much fuss at a meeting Friday afternoon.

1 month ago | providencejournal.com | Alex Kuffner

Rhode Island residents are protesting high energy costs, with some seeing monthly bills exceeding $1,000. The high costs are attributed to increased natural gas prices, exacerbated by cold weather. While short-term relief is expected in April, long-term solutions are needed to address structural issues. Proposed bills aim to regulate Rhode Island Energy's business practices, including capping profits and potentially transitioning to public ownership.

1 month ago | providencejournal.com | Alex Kuffner

Farm Fresh Rhode Island has been forced to lay off eight employees due to the Trump administration's cuts to federal food programs. The cuts affect two programs, Local Foods for Schools and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, which provided funding to connect local farmers and fishermen with schools and food banks. The cuts have left farmers and fishermen scrambling to find new markets for their products, and some may be forced to reduce production.