>they just get cut off

IDK if that's just hyperbole or you really don't know, but you might want to brush up on the consumer protection rules we have in place. They can't shut anyone off in the winter, Nov 1-Apr 15.

>which of them are cheaper than the current RIE rate?

I left the link so you could check for yourself, but I guess I can click it for you to tell you that SmartEnergy is currently cheaper.

You can also join a community solar project and save 10% off your total RIE bill whatever the rate is.

>the alternatives are not cheaper making the whole thing moot.

If ever other option were more expensive, that would mean you're getting the best deal possible. You see that as a bad thing?

> The biggest problem is that utilities are monopolies. My ONLY option is RIE. I can't even get solar because my roof cannot support the panels. And it's not like I can call up Eversource to be like "hey can you beat this rate?"

Supply is deregulated. You absolutely can call up a different supplier and see if they can give you a better rate. Just be careful to understand their terms before switching.

https://ripuc.ri.gov/utility-information/electric

There are also ground-mounted solar options you may have if your roof isn't compatible.

> Others with solar can't sell me their unused power because legally they have to sell it back to the utility company in exchange for credits

You can absolutely buy power from some one else, you just have to set up your own independent power system to get it to your house from theirs. Naturally if you're using the RIE grid to store and move the power, they are going to manage the process.

> (which ideally SHOULD lower overall price for every non-solar customer but it doesn't)

It does, but kinda in a roundabout way. See here if you want to dive in: https://upriseri.com/how-are-electricity-rates-determined/#:~:text=They%20start%20at%20the%20lowest%20price%20and%20they%20get

That's where I'm at too. Bought in 2018 for what is now a super low price, then refinanced in 2021 for what's now a super low rate. It's so unfair how someone just like me is totally screwed out of being able to buy a house, just because they're doing it a few years later.

Realistically, here's what would happen:

• Not many people would participate

• RIE would see non-debilitating loss of revenue

• The PUC will approve higher profit on distribution charges to make up for that lost revenue

• We're worse off than before

Yes probably shut off eventually, but consumers have some additional protections in place currently.

New temporary rule, applies to everyone: no attempts to collect outstanding energy debt will happen until after March 2023.

Annual winter moratorium, applies to everyone: no utilities will be shut off for nonpayment between Nov 1 and April 15.

Year-round, for certain groups: no utilities will be shut off for nonpayment if you are a household with an infant, a seriously ill or disabled person, or elderly person.

Temporary rule, for certain groups: forgiveness program for energy debt accrued before March 2022.

Here's more info on all that and more: https://mlpb.health/digital-digest/ri/utilities-internet/

Yep my cop/hazard warning flash is much more frantic than a quick flash flash you can go

Evidently it's a controversial opinion of mine, so YMMV. Seems like people have a lot of strong opinions on the topic.

Ah okay, boomer logic...my experience=universal

edit: hah, boomer snowflake blocked me for asking to see their sources too

>No one said it didn't mean anything

Isn't that what you said in the comment I replied to?

> it just means something to (largely) old people and is becoming less of a thing.

How did you figure that? I haven't seen any kind of survey results about who knows what flashes means.

They probably tried tbh

"AI" making sure cars don't blind each other's drivers seems pretty benevolent.

It seems like you might be ignorant of the meaning, and assuming that means there is none.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlight_flashing

• "Flashing can warn other drivers of road dangers, such as crashed cars or police speed traps."

• "Flashing can inform drivers of problems with their car, such as headlamps left off after dark, burned out or misaligned lights, or misuse of high beam rather than low beam in traffic"

• "Flashing can indicate the intention to overtake or pass another driver, or to signal a driver who has just overtaken that he or she can now return to the original lane"

At least to me, a couple high beam flashes means either turn off your high beams, or turn on your low beams. Low beams flashed on and off a couple times is the more polite way to say "turn on your headlights".

Then cop/danger ahead would be a bunch of high beam flashes, like 4+.

None of those are official, and I don't even know how broadly understood they really are either.

Yes, you can

Not official, but I think it's mostly generally understood...?

I'd say like 4+ flashes for cop ahead.

Other codes:

• Single flash of the hazards as a thank you from a semi truck

• Double flash for "all clear" when someone wants to change into your lane in front of you

edit: here's a wikipedia article with a summary of meanings: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlight_flashing

Does he put the stones back once he's done though?

I sure do. A bunch of quick flashes for "cop ahead", or really any other unusual scenario where the oncoming driver needs to slow down and pay attention.

As opposed to just two flashes, to signify turn on your headlights or turn off your high beams.

Even in our immediate area, we have the mildest winter weather in all of New England and New York.

No tires at Job Lot though

> Snow tires are much safer. Not everyone can afford them.

I think you're overselling them; I don't think snow tires in RI are so necessary that anyone who can afford them should have them. We don't have particularly extreme winters, nor any elevation to speak of. Besides that, unless OP is a first responder or something, simply not driving when weather is bad is the way to go. Even then, just driving like a sane person is fine. All seasons will get you where you're going, just a bit slower.

> Welcome to winter. Real winter.

This is clearly subjective, but I don't consider us to have "real winters". In my personal definition, "real winter" includes constant snow cover the whole season, and late January temperatures below 40, unlike us...

Stay away from Safelite and Payless Auto Glass, they've both fucked stuff up and refused to even entertain the idea of taking responsibility for fixing it.

Payless used their reciprocating saw scraper tool and melted the interior window trim on my wife's car and wouldn't even let her finish explaining what happened, let alone fix their mistake.

Safelite lost the trim on my car, and just haphazardly gobbed in more sealant. I leaks.

Also, be careful of those companies masquerading under different names. I ended up with Payless after calling the phone number for the legit local glass shop I had used in the past. Payless evidently bought the number and hid their company name until the Payless van showed up in our driveway.

I'd call the dealer for your brand of car and ask who they use for glass.

It's mandatory coverage in CT, which was nice.

We're talking about the price of natural gas here.

I didn't say inflation doesn't exist, I said that one product's price increasing isn't "the definition of inflation" as you claimed.

Not for nothing, but the electricity price increase started October 1, and the NG price increase hit November 1