BILL NUMBER: S1329
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to adjustment of
electric residential fixed charges
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this legislation is to limit the fixed charges that resi-
dential consumers pay on their utility bills.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 - Amends public service law adding a new section 42-b. Utili-
ties will only be permitted to charge residential consumers for the
costs directly related to metering, billing, service connection, and
customer service.
Section 2 - Effective Date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New Yorkers pay some of the highest, fixed charges in the nation on
their utility bills. Fixed charges are flat monthly fees that consumers
pay on their utility bills regardless of the energy they use. A recent
report by the Acadia Center found that in many cases utilities are
charging New Yorkers three times as much in fixed charges as they are
charging residents in nearby states. Fixed charges shift costs from
bigger energy users to those who can least afford it. A lower fixed
residential charge is important for New York's economic viability : High
fixed charges mean higher electric bills, which results in a higher cost
of living and less money to spend in the local economy.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24 s1303B- DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
2021-22: S 2637 - ordered to third reading rules cal.177
2019/20 S 6241 - REFERRED TO ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.