That’s where alternative energy comes in. It’s plentiful, it’s local, and it’s essentially free to operate. It’s also good for the environment.

How often are you offered an opportunity to solve two problems with a single solution – one that is beneficial in multiple ways? This is one of those rare opportunities because clean energy can help save the planet and help control the cost of electricity. In addition, it will improve public health, provide well-paying local jobs, and reduce dependence on foreign fuel. Rather than sending our money off to fossil fuel producers in Texas and Saudi Arabia, we can produce alternative energy right here in Rhode Island, and use the money we spend to fuel our own economy.

There is another benefit that is less obvious: Promoting green energy in Rhode Island provides a way to stand up to President Trump.

Like many things that benefit ordinary Americans, our president is determined to crush clean energy. This is why he impulsively shut down the Revolution Wind, a Rhode Island offshore wind farm that is 80 percent complete and will provide enough electricity to power 350,000 homes.

Fortunately, a federal court recently ruled that construction can resume. But Trump has doubled down on his commitment to kill clean energy because it poses a threat to his beloved fossil fuel industry.

We can no longer be surprised by the outrages Trump inflicts on our democracy. What is surprising is that our own state leaders pose another formidable roadblock to Rhode Island’s transition to clean energy.

Last year, the Rhode Island legislature killed 19 of the 20 climate bills endorsed by the state’s environmental organizations. This included bills to add more offshore wind and solar to our power mix, as well as incentives to improve our energy efficiency.

Let’s face it, the most surefire way to reduce energy spending is to buy less of it. If the government helps pay to insulate our homes or install energy-efficient heat pumps, or add storage batteries for solar panels, our heating and air conditioning costs will go down. But all of those forward-looking proposals died, the vast majority of them without a vote or public discussion.

Meanwhile, our governor’s reelection campaign is struggling, so he has backed a quick fix that will ultimately hurt ratepayers. His short-sighted plan is to lower rates by cutting incentive programs for energy efficiency. This will save ratepayers a few bucks this year, then cost them dearly for years to come.

If you’re sick of having your household finances thrown into turmoil every winter, write or call your state legislators and the candidates for governor to tell them you want to see meaningful action to expand clean energy.

Bill Ibelle is a Providence-based freelance journalist and climate advocate.