An Act Providing Customers Of Public Service Companies An Outage Credit.
If enacted, HB 05331 would amend Title 16 of the General Statutes, which governs public service companies in the state. This change would enhance consumer rights by enabling customers to receive compensation for prolonged service interruptions, thereby incentivizing public service companies to maintain consistent service levels. The bill aims to address the financial impact of outages on consumers, promoting fairness and accountability within the utility sector. Its implementation could lead to improvements in service reliability as companies may increase their focus on preventing outages to avoid financial penalties.
House Bill 05331 aims to protect customers of public service companies by introducing a requirement for these companies to offer outage credits. Specifically, the bill mandates that if a customer experiences an interruption in service for four or more continuous days, and the disruption is not due to the customer’s actions, the public service company must provide a credit for the proportionate share of service not received during that billing period. This legislative proposal seeks to ensure that utility companies are held financially accountable when services fail to meet expected standards.
During discussions on the bill, concerns were raised regarding the potential financial implications for public service companies, especially smaller providers who may struggle to absorb the cost of mandatory outage credits. Advocates for the bill argue that the consumer protection aspect outweighs these concerns, emphasizing the need for accountability in utility service provision. Critics of the proposal may contend that it could lead to increased rates as companies adjust to cover potential costs associated with outage credits, thereby impacting all customers, including those who do not experience service interruptions.