New England seems unable to reduce its reliance on fuel oil to generate electricity during times of peak usage. : Winter nor'easter in downtown Providence Rhode Island. Providence is the capital and most populous ... [+] city in the state of Rhode Island New England seems unable to reduce its reliance on fuel oil to generate electricity during times of peak usage. This weekend provided another clear example of how the region’s much-hyped clean energy planning continues to fail to make real inroads when it really counts during severe winter weather events.