State regulators have approved slightly more expensive summer electricity rates for Rhode Island Energy customers than those offered through Providence’s municipal electricity program. The Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission approved a new six-month default rate for customers of Rhode Island Energy, the state’s largest utility company. Residential ratepayers will pay about 10.3 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is about 32% more than last summer’s rate. In contrast, the Providence Community Electricity program offers four plans on a sliding cost with a renewable energy supplement. Rhode Island Energy’s default rate is more expensive than three of the four plans, including the Providence Basic, Providence Standard, and Providence 50. The fourth Providence plan, Providence 100, exceeds Rhode Island Energy’s default rate, but provides 100% of the customer’s payment to renewable energy sources. Rates start in April for Rhode Island Energy and May for Providence customers, running through September and November, respectively. Rhode Island Energy’s commercial summer rates cost 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, while the industrial rate is variable and resets every three months, starting at 13.1 cents per kilowatt-hour.