Connecticut House Bill HB05195

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/13
• Refer: 1/11/13

Caption

An Act Establishing An Outage Credit To Customers Of Public Service Companies.

Impact

The implementation of HB 05195 would have substantial implications for how utility companies manage outages and customer relations. By requiring these companies to provide financial credits to affected customers, the legislation seeks to incentivize public service companies to maintain reliable service and reduce prolonged outages. This bill underscores the importance of service quality in utility operations and aligns with broader efforts to elevate customer safeguards in the energy sector.

Summary

House Bill 05195, introduced by Representative Kupchick, aims to establish an outage credit system for customers of public service companies. The core provision of this bill mandates that any public service company must credit customers for the proportionate share of the service they were unable to receive during a billing period, specifically when the service interruption lasts four or more continuous days and is not due to the fault of the customer. This is a consumer protection measure designed to enhance accountability among utility providers in the event of significant service disruptions.

Contention

Noteworthy points of contention surrounding this bill may include the financial impact on public service companies, particularly during widespread natural disasters or infrastructure failures when outages might be more frequent and challenging to control. Utility companies may argue that such a requirement could pose a financial burden and complicate their operational readiness. Conversely, consumer advocacy groups may support the bill, advocating for enhanced accountability measures to protect customers from undue financial hardship during outages. Overall, the debate may center around balancing consumer protections with the operational capacities of public service companies.