Public utilities: consumer services; reimbursement to consumer for losses due to a power outage; provide for. Amends 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.1 - 460.11) by adding sec. 9f.
Impact
The enactment of HB4542 could significantly affect state laws regarding utility regulations, adding a new layer of accountability for electric providers. By formalizing automatic compensation for outages, the bill attempts to mitigate the financial burden on consumers facing prolonged power interruption, thereby enhancing consumer rights and protections in the state. This proactive approach to managing utility service issues may also encourage utilities to invest in infrastructure improvements to minimize service interruptions.
Summary
House Bill 4542 aims to enhance consumer protections related to electric utilities by requiring automatic compensation for customers experiencing service interruptions. Specifically, the bill amends 1939 PA 3 to add a new section (9f) that mandates utilities to provide discounts to customers based on the duration of their service outages. If service is interrupted for at least 48 hours, customers will receive a 5% reduction in their electric rates for the month following the disruption. For outages exceeding 72 hours, additional discounts accumulate at a rate of 5% for each subsequent 24-hour period without service.
Contention
While the bill appears beneficial for consumers, there may be opposing views regarding its impact on electric utility businesses. Some stakeholders might argue that the financial implications of automatic discounts could lead to increased operational costs. This could, in turn, affect utility rates for all customers, leading to concerns about the balance between consumer protection and the financial health of electric service providers. There may also be debates around the feasibility of implementing such measures uniformly across different utility companies.
Public utilities: public service commission; calculation of costs of renewable energy; provide for. Amends 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.1 - 460.11) by adding sec. 6y.
Public utilities: other; certain money spent by electric or natural gas utilities; require to be reported to the public service commission. Amends 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.1 - 460.11) by adding sec. 6aa.
Public utilities: electric utilities; electrical reconnection fees for electric utilities; establish. Amends secs. 10p & 10t of 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.10p & 460.10t). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5216'23, HB 5222'23, HB 5220'23, HB 5221'23, HB 5217'23
Public utilities: electric utilities; long-term industrial load rates; prohibit from being subject to securitization charges. Amends sec. 10gg of 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.10gg).
Public utilities: other; use of revenues as donation to a 501(c)(4) that engages in campaign or lobbying activities; prohibit. Amends 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.1 - 460.11) by adding sec. 6aa.
Public utilities: electric utilities; tariff for distributed generation and net metering customers; eliminate. Amends sec. 6a of 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.6a).
Public utilities: other; use of revenues as donation to a 501(c)(4) that engages in campaign or lobbying activities; prohibit. Amends 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.1 - 460.11) by adding sec. 6bb. TIE BAR WITH: HB 4381'25
Requires electric public utility to identify communities within service territory where at least 40 percent of residential customers rely on private well water, develop service restoration plan for those communities, and provide watering stations.
Requires electric public utility to identify communities within service territory where at least 40 percent of residential customers rely on private well water, develop service restoration plan for those communities, and provide watering stations.
Requires public utility to reimburse business customer during period when business ceases operations due to utility repairing or replacing its equipment on business customer's property.
Requires public utility to reimburse business customer during period when business ceases operations due to utility repairing or replacing its equipment on business customer's property.
Requires public utility to reimburse business customer during period when business ceases operations due to utility repairing or replacing its equipment on business customer's property.
Requires public utility to reimburse business customer during period when business ceases operations due to utility repairing or replacing its equipment on business customer's property.
Prohibits electric and gas public utilities from collecting payment from residential budget billing plan customers whose service was interrupted as a result of major emergency event.