The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7088 directs the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to conduct a study on alternative energy delivery methods, including direct-bill remote energy generation and municipal or regional energy aggregation, with a report due by July 1, 2026. The bill also requires PURA to establish a capital investment funding mechanism to ensure cost recovery for necessary investments in the electric grid, incorporating criteria for timely recovery and a defined standard of review for investment prudency. Additionally, it introduces a new definition of "resilience" related to electric distribution companies and emphasizes the need for performance-based regulation frameworks.

Moreover, the bill modifies existing statutes by changing the frequency of rate adjustment proceedings from annually to every six months and allows for the initiation of innovative rate plans to stabilize customer electric bills. It clarifies that provisions regarding contested cases do not apply to uncontested cases, facilitating communication between involved parties. The bill also mandates a comprehensive evaluation of service termination policies, focusing on protections for customers with serious illnesses, with findings due to the General Assembly's energy committee by February 4, 2026. Overall, the bill aims to enhance consumer protections and improve the regulatory framework for energy services, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 16-244aa