Directs the public service commission to require electric and steam corporations to provide rate reductions or refunds for inadequate or interrupted service; requires electric corporations to reimburse ratepayers for damages to and losses of property and business caused by power outages in certain instances.
Impact
The implementation of A07954 will have significant implications for state laws concerning public utilities. By enforcing refunds and reductions in rates for service inadequacies, the bill promotes accountability amongst utility companies. It ensures that customers are financially compensated for any disruption they face, which has the potential to reshape interactions between consumers and service providers. This bill echoes a broader movement towards the protection of consumer rights in the utilities sector, ensuring that corporations uphold their commitments to provide reliable services.
Summary
Assembly Bill A07954 seeks to empower the New York Public Service Commission to ensure electric and steam corporations maintain adequate service quality by instituting a framework for refunds or rate reductions when services prove inadequate or interrupted. The bill mandates that the commission impose prompt and effective rate refunds amounting to a minimum five percent of the total billed amount during specific periods of service interruption. The proposal emphasizes the rights of customers to demand compensation for service failures that lead to inadequate or interrupted electric services, thus aiming to bolster consumer protection laws within the state.
Contention
While many may view the bill as a necessary step towards enhancing consumer protection, objections may arise from utility companies that could argue potential financial burdens imposed by the mandatory refunds and rate reductions. As firms adjust to the anticipated requirements under the bill, discussions surrounding the feasibility of immediate financial reimbursements highlight a contentious debate on how to balance consumer protection with operational viability for utility providers. Furthermore, stakeholders will likely voice concerns regarding the impact of stringent regulations on service quality and availability.
Same As
Directs the public service commission to require electric and steam corporations to provide rate reductions or refunds for inadequate or interrupted service; requires electric corporations to reimburse ratepayers for damages to and losses of property and business caused by power outages in certain instances.
Directs the public service commission to require electric and steam corporations to provide rate reductions or refunds for inadequate or interrupted service; requires electric corporations to reimburse ratepayers for damages to and losses of property and business caused by power outages in certain instances.
Relates to the general powers of the public service commission in respect to gas and electric corporations; authorizes the public service commission to require gas and electric corporations to eliminate provisions attempting to relieve such corporations from liability arising from their negligence or willful misconduct; provides for the investigation of regulatory conduct; provides for damages to persons affected by such regulatory failure.
Requires electric corporations, gas corporations, steam corporations and water-works corporations to adopt the common equity ratio and rate of return on equity authorized by the public service commission unless such utility can successfully demonstrate that such authorized rates do not meet their capital and/or operating needs.
Requires electric corporations, gas corporations, steam corporations and water-works corporations to adopt the common equity ratio and rate of return on equity authorized by the public service commission unless such utility can successfully demonstrate that such authorized rates do not meet their capital and/or operating needs.
Requires the public service commission and the Long Island power authority to establish standards of acceptable performance for gas and electric corporations.
Enacts the "home utility weatherization jobs act"; requires each gas corporation, electric corporation, or combination gas or electric corporation to submit to the public service commission for review and approval a weatherization pilot program plan.
Requires electric public utility to reimburse customers for cost of certain spoiled products resulting from service outage more than 72 hours after end of storm.
Requires electric public utility to reimburse customers for cost of certain spoiled products resulting from service outage more than 72 hours after end of storm.
Requires electric public utility to reimburse residential or commercial customer for cost of certain spoiled items resulting from service outage more than 48 hours after end of storm.
Requires electric public utility to reimburse residential or commercial customer for cost of certain spoiled items resulting from service outage more than 48 hours after end of storm.
Requires electric public utility to reimburse customers for up to $500 for spoiled food and full cost of spoiled medicine resulting from lengthy service outage following major event.
Requires electric public utility to reimburse customers for up to $500 for spoiled food and full cost of spoiled medicine resulting from lengthy service outage following major event.
Requires electric public utility to reimburse customers for up to $500 for spoiled food and full cost of spoiled medicine resulting from lengthy service outage following major event.