Alex Kuffner, who covers energy and the environment, said Rhode Islanders should expect some relief this winter on their heating bills. But he warned that regulators have mostly moved around existing funds to offset the higher winter costs, meaning ratepayers end up paying for those credits.

He also highlighted a new rate hike proposed by Rhode Island Energy for its distribution charges, which is the portion of customers’ bills where the company can make a profit.

“They agreed to hold off on filing this, this distribution rate case for several years, so now it’s actually been eight years since we changed this distribution costs,” Kuffner said. “They’re saying that through inflation, supply chain costs — all the costs that they pay have gone up, and their revenues haven’t matched that, so it’s squeezed their profits.”

Kuffner also talked about how the state is lagging in its effort to meet lofty carbon-cutting goals by 2030 and 2040, even though some leaders are optimistic the benchmarks can still be made.

“It’s going to be hard to get there,” he said.

Later in the show, Kim and Eli discussed the “Stories We Wish We Wrote,” including (not all mentioned on air):

• Companies being sued over the Washington Bridge are inspecting these RI bridges by Kathy Gregg, The Providence Journal
• Neighbors see big trouble with undersize lots by Greta Shuster, Warwick Beacon

• After going viral, Auntie’s House in Pawtucket adapts to high demand by LuzJennifer Martinez, The Valley Breeze
• A holiday ritual of fellowship and flour by Ellen G. Lahr, EastBayRI

Watch “Behind the Story” Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the WPRI 12+ TV app.

• How to download the free WPRI 12+ smart TV app

It airs on TV (Sundays at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence), and will be available on demand through the WPRI 12+ app and right here on WPRI.com.

“Behind the Story” is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe.