Electric utilities; planned service outages, notice to customers.
Impact
If enacted, this bill would amend the Code of Virginia by adding Section 56-596.5 to Title 56. The key change would be that electric utilities, which include investor-owned, cooperative, and municipal utilities, would be obligated to inform each affected customer about planned outages well in advance. This provision aims to ensure that customers are better prepared for potential disruptions in their electric service, fostering trust and satisfaction in utility management. However, the bill explicitly excludes notification for unplanned outages caused by emergencies, adverse weather conditions, or other unexpected events.
Summary
House Bill 2213 proposes a new regulation requiring electric utilities to notify customers 24 hours in advance of planned service outages. The definition of a planned service outage includes interruptions initiated by the utility for maintenance, infrastructure improvements, or construction due to customer growth. This bill seeks to enhance communication between electric utilities and customers to minimize inconvenience during service interruptions.
Contention
Some potential points of contention surrounding HB 2213 could involve discussions about the burden of compliance on electric utilities and the feasibility of delivering timely notifications in varying formats (mail or electronically). Critics may argue that this requirement could increase operational costs for utilities, especially during times when multiple outages may occur. Additionally, there might be debates regarding the metrics for assessing the effectiveness of customer notifications and how utilities can balance notification requirements with their operational capabilities.