Limits certain charging practices by companies that provide prepaid telephone calling cards and increases fines for violations of limitation requirements.
Directs the New York state energy research and development authority to conduct a study of the technical and economic feasibility and ratepayer impact of a zero-emission electrical system and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Relates to maintaining the continued viability of the state's existing large-scale, renewable energy resources; directs the public service commission, in consultation with NYSERDA to modify the competitive tier 2 program adopted by the order modifying the clean energy standard.
Relates to application requirements for private or government entities that wish to provide electric service converting residential rental buildings from being mass-metered to submetered.
Relates to establishing discount programs for low-income senior citizens and individuals with a disability; provides that utilities, waterworks corporations, telephone corporations and cable television companies shall create discount programs that provide a 10 percent discount to low-income senior citizens and individuals with a disability; defines terms.
Relates to establishing minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers; requires the public service commission to set standards for payment plans for certain customers including reasonableness of agreements and timelines for payment; establishes eligibility.
Relates to requiring the establishment of automatic payment plans; requires utility companies headquartered in New York to establish a statewide program to provide eligible participants with affordable payment plans.
Establishes the power authority of the state of New York shall make low cost hydropower available to hospitals and municipal housing authorities located within Niagara county.
Requires every utility corporation or municipality who sends an emergency notice to consumers to make available and provide such notice in English, Spanish, Haitian-Creole, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, French, Urdu, Hindi and Tagalog.
Ensures that residential gas, electric and steam service customers will receive a written determination regarding rate related complaints explaining the reasoning for the decision; requires that decisions are made by the public service commission within 90 days of receiving the complaint; requires utility corporations to retain customer billing statements dating back at least eight years.