BILL NUMBER: S5181
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public service law, in relation to customers with
documented need for essential electricity for medical needs
 
PURPOSE:
This bill would require electric corporations to set minimum require-
ments for customers with life-saving equipment during an electric
service disruption. It would also require electric corporations to
establish a unique priority phone number, operated 24/7, in order to
provide customers with life-saving equipment information regarding elec-
tric service disruptions.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends § 66 of the public service law to require electric
corporations to establish a unique priority phone number that shall
remain in operation every day of the year for customers with documented
needs for essential electricity for medical needs. Such customers shall
be able to call such number at any time to: register as a customer who
uses life. support systems; receive information regarding a storm,
storm-like electric emergency; report an outage; receive updated infor-
mation regarding the estimated time of restoration; receive outage safe-
ty precautions; receive information regarding restoration prioritiza-
tion, backup generators, or compensation for lodging; and receive
additionally specified information.
Section two of the bill sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Hundreds of thousands of- New Yorkers lost power in the summer of 2020
as a result of Tropical Storm Isaias, with many disruptions lasting
multiple days. Infrastructure of various utilities across multiple
service areas was affected. While thousands were left without power, the
implications were life-or-death for those who rely on-electricity to
power devices that keep them alive. These individuals cannot afford to
go without power. Electric corporations should be required to provide
them with a baseline level of accommodations.
This bill would require electric corporations to set minimum require-
ments for customers with life-saving equipment during an electric
service disruption. It would also require electric corporations to
establish a unique priority phone number to provide customers with life-
saving equipment information regarding electric service disruptions and
services they are entitled to.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S1630A Comrie/ A3503A Dinowitz
2022: S4178A
2019-20 - A.11056 - referred to corporations, authorities and commis-
sions / S.9091 - REFERRED TO RULES
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.