SPONSOR: Terry
In the event that 4/5ths of one percent of customers experience a continuous power interruption that meets certain criteria, this bill requires investor-owned electric utilities to compensate customers for actual damages caused by the interruption. The utility must also reimburse municipal, county or other local governments for emergency and contingency expenses incurred as a result of the interruption. In the event that 4/5ths of one percent of customers experience a power surge or fluctuation, investor-owned electric utilities must pay the replacement value of all goods damaged as a result of power surge or fluctuation.
The Public Service Commission may waive the requirements to reimbursement or replace goods if the utility can show that the interruption was a result of a weather event, customer tampering, civil or international unrest, animals, or damage to equipment by a third party.
Loss of revenue and expenses incurred by the utility due to reimbursement and replacement of goods cannot be recovered from ratepayers.
This bill is the same as HB 1637 (2024).
Statutes affected: