New Jersey Senate Bill S411

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Requires electric public utility to reimburse customer for cost of spoiled food and prescription medicine resulting from service outage more than 48 hours after end of storm.

Impact

If enacted, S411 would significantly affect the operations of electric public utilities by mandating them to create a reimbursement system for customers. Each utility would need to develop an online platform for reimbursement applications, likely leading to adjustments in customer service protocols and financial management. The bill explicitly defines 'sustained interruption' and 'major event', ensuring clarity in instances when customers might claim for losses. This change is positioned as a protective measure for consumers, holding utilities accountable for service disruptions.

Summary

Senate Bill S411 requires electric public utilities in New Jersey to reimburse customers for the cost of food and prescription medicine that spoils due to sustained power outages lasting more than 48 hours. This legislation responds to concerns from consumers who suffer losses during major events that disrupt utility services, such as storms and other extreme weather occurrences. The bill aims to provide financial relief to affected households, ensuring they can recover some of the losses incurred from spoiled items requiring refrigeration.

Contention

The introduction of this bill may also ignite debates regarding the responsibilities of utility companies during major outages and consumer protection. Critics may argue that utilities could face significant financial burdens due to this requirement, leading to increased operational costs. There might also be concerns about the timeline and procedures for reimbursement applications, with questions about the efficiency and effectiveness of processes designed to validate claims for spoiled goods. Stakeholders might have differing views on whether this bill overreaches in its commercial expectations of utility providers.