When I co-sponsored a resolution on September 29, 2025, regarding a potential moratorium on new natural gas hookups on Aquidneck Island, my reason for doing so was straightforward: I believed Newport needed to have a serious conversation about the reliability and long-term resilience of our energy system.
That concern was not theoretical. In January 2019, a natural gas system failure left thousands of Newport and Middletown customers without service during extremely cold weather. Approximately 7,000 buildings in Newport had their gas shut down as a safety precaution. That experience demonstrated how vulnerable a community can become when it is overly dependent upon one energy source and the infrastructure supporting it.
My position then, as it is now, was that Newport should be looking at how we create a more resilient energy system for the future.
But resilience does not mean replacing dependence on one energy source with dependence on another.
As I discussed publicly at the time, our energy conversation needs to include natural gas, electricity, renewable energy, energy efficiency, conservation, demand-response programs and emerging technologies. Having multiple sources and options gives a community greater flexibility when one part of the system is disrupted or unable to meet demand.
When I introduced the resolution, there was an active state-level discussion led by RI Energy about whether limiting new natural gas connections could help address capacity constraints on Aquidneck Island. RI Energy wanted feedback from Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth on implementing a gas moratorium only on NEW HOOKUPS. It was not intended to impact existing gas hookups in residents’ homes. I believed Newport should participate in that discussion.
Legitimate questions were raised about the potential consequences of a moratorium, including impacts on residents, businesses, development, affordability, energy choice and the capacity of our electrical infrastructure.
Those questions deserved answers before the Council took a position.
The intent of the resolution was to open the discussion. Council can only open a discussion at a council meeting through introducing a resolution on a specific topic, which is what I did. As a result of the discussion at the meeting, I withdrew the resolution since the goal of introducing it had been achieved and that was to bring the topic to the table and open a discussion on it. Based upon resident feedback, I advocated for holding a Council workshop dedicated to the issue. That workshop took place on October 29, 2025, and provided an opportunity for Council members and the public to hear additional information and consider the issue more comprehensively.
After that workshop, I made the decision not to reintroduce the resolution.
I believe that decision illustrates something important about how I approach public policy.
Good government requires asking questions, gathering information, listening to residents and subject-matter experts, and evaluating potential unintended consequences. That is what elected officials are supposed to do: raise an issue, ask questions, listen, learn and make a decision based on the information available.
My environmental priorities have not changed. I support reducing emissions, expanding renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and planning for a more sustainable future. But those goals must be pursued alongside reliability, affordability, and resiliency.
Newport residents need to know that when temperatures fall, storms occur or infrastructure fails, they have access to dependable energy. Businesses need predictability. Families need affordable choices. And our community needs an energy system capable of adapting as technology and our infrastructure evolve.
Our goal should not be choosing one energy source over another.
Our goal should be to build an energy system for Newport that is cleaner, affordable, reliable, and resilient—and making sure residents have multiple energy sources options.
Steph Smyth
Newport City Councilor, At-Large