The bill amends existing legislation to establish a program called "Energy Bill Watch" for electric and gas public utilities that utilize smart meters. Under this program, utilities are required to notify smart meter customers about their electricity or gas usage and associated costs at specific intervals during each billing cycle. Notifications will be sent via text message or email, depending on the customer's preference, and will include information on usage in kilowatt hours or therms, as well as options for setting cost thresholds for alerts and comparing usage with previous billing periods.

Additionally, the bill mandates that utilities promote the Energy Bill Watch program through various channels, including social media and customer bills, and automatically enroll all smart meter customers in the program. Customers will receive guidance on customizing their notification preferences in their first notification. The bill aims to enhance transparency and customer engagement regarding energy usage and costs, ultimately helping consumers manage their utility expenses more effectively.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 48:3-86.1, 48:3-86.2
Advance Law: 48:3-86.1, 48:3-86.2
Pamphlet Law: 48:3-86.1, 48:3-86.2