R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-2-27
The division shall open a docket and establish standards of acceptable performance for emergency preparation and restoration of service for each investor-owned electric and gas distribution company doing business in the state. The division shall levy a penalty not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for each violation for each day that the violation of the division's standards persists; provided, however, that the maximum penalty shall not exceed seven million five hundred thousand dollars ($7,500,000) for any related series of violations. The division shall open a full investigation, upon its own initiative. Nothing herein shall prohibit any affected city or town from filing a complaint with the division regarding a violation of the division's standards of acceptable performance by an investor-owned electric distribution or natural gas distribution company; provided, however, that the petition shall be filed with the division no later than ninety (90) days after the violation has been remedied. After an initial review of the complaint, the division shall make a determination as to whether to open a full investigation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-2-27