New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A2023

Introduced
1/11/22  

Caption

Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to disseminate outage information to customers through autodialed telephone call, text message, and electronic mail alert service.

Impact

The enactment of A2023 is anticipated to significantly improve customer experiences during outages by offering timely and detailed updates. This is particularly crucial during emergencies, ensuring that residents are well-informed about service disruptions that can affect their daily lives. By creating a formalized communication framework, the bill aims to minimize confusion and provide guidance during service outages, which is essential for public safety and well-being.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2023 mandates electric, gas, and water public utilities to develop and implement comprehensive notification systems for service outages. Specifically, utilities are required to provide information via autodialed telephone calls, text messages, and electronic mail alerts using customer contact information they have on record. This system aims to enhance the communication of service interruptions by informing customers about the location and estimated duration of outages, as well as providing contact information for utility assistance and emergency services.

Contention

While the bill is mainly focused on improving customer outreach, there may be concerns regarding the effectiveness of such communication methods. Critics might argue about the potential for technical failures in automated systems, or the risk of information overload if customers receive too many notifications. Additionally, the bill does not specify penalties for utilities that fail to comply with these new requirements, leading to potential debates about accountability in service delivery. The balance between providing sufficient information and avoiding unnecessary alarm will be a critical consideration as these changes are implemented.

Companion Bills

NJ S192

Same As Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to disseminate outage information to customers through autodialed telephone call, text message, and electronic mail alert service.

Previously Filed As

NJ A1836

Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to disseminate outage information to customers through autodialed telephone call, text message, and electronic mail alert service.

NJ S192

Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to disseminate outage information to customers through autodialed telephone call, text message, and electronic mail alert service.

NJ S274

Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to provide certain notifications to customers concerning certain service outages.

NJ A3752

Requires electric public utilities to disseminate through social media and text message certain information during power outages.

NJ A523

Requires electric public utilities to disseminate through social media and text message certain information during power outages.

NJ AB1410

Utilities: service outages and updates: alerts.

NJ A4817

Requires electric and gas public utilities to establish "Energy Bill Watch" program and include certain information in bills and notices to customers.

NJ S3620

Requires electric and gas public utilities to establish "Energy Bill Watch" program and include certain information in bills and notices to customers.

NJ A2024

Requires certain public utilities to publicize information concerning bill payment assistance programs.

NJ A4790

Requires electric public utilities to report certain information concerning power outages on their Internet website and to BPU.

Similar Bills

NJ S192

Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to disseminate outage information to customers through autodialed telephone call, text message, and electronic mail alert service.

NJ S274

Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to provide certain notifications to customers concerning certain service outages.

NJ A1836

Requires electric, gas, and water public utilities to disseminate outage information to customers through autodialed telephone call, text message, and electronic mail alert service.

CA SB1194

Privacy: lodging and common carriers.

NJ A4588

Requires Internet websites which deal in electronic dissemination of music or audiovisual works to disclose certain information.

NJ S1183

Requires Internet websites which deal in electronic dissemination of music or audiovisual works to disclose certain information.

NJ A3769

Requires Internet websites which deal in electronic dissemination of music or audiovisual works to disclose certain information.

CA SB456

Privacy: faith-based organizations.