Requires public utility to reimburse business customer during period when business ceases operations due to utility repairing or replacing its equipment on business customer's property.
Impact
The legislation is designed to strengthen the accountability of public utilities towards their business customers, effectively establishing a legal framework for reimbursement. The Board of Public Utilities (BPU) will oversee the reimbursement process, determining the total financial losses based on documentation provided by the business customers. This oversight aims to ensure fairness and transparency in the reimbursement procedures, enhancing trust between businesses and utilities.
Summary
Assembly Bill A761 aims to mandate that public utilities reimburse business customers for financial losses incurred during the periods when those businesses must cease operations due to repairs or replacements required by the utility on the customer's property. This bill is particularly relevant to businesses that might face significant operational disruptions due to service interruptions caused by utility constraints.
Contention
However, notable contention surrounds the bill's exclusion of reimbursements for losses incurred during so-called 'emergency events.' These events are described as natural or human-induced occurrences, such as severe weather conditions or disasters, that are beyond the control of the utilities and result in service interruptions affecting a large portion of their customers. Critics argue that the broad definition of emergency events could result in utilities avoiding their reimbursement obligations in more scenarios than expected, potentially putting businesses at risk during difficult times.
Same As
Requires public utility to reimburse business customer during period when business ceases operations due to utility repairing or replacing its equipment on business customer's property.
Carry Over
Requires public utility to reimburse business customer during period when business ceases operations due to utility repairing or replacing its equipment on business customer's property.
Carry Over
Requires public utility to reimburse business customer during period when business ceases operations due to utility repairing or replacing its equipment on business customer's property.
Requires public utility to reimburse business customer during period when business ceases operations due to utility repairing or replacing its equipment on business customer's property.
Requires public utility to reimburse business customer during period when business ceases operations due to utility repairing or replacing its equipment on business customer's property.
Prohibits food service businesses from providing single-use utensils and condiments to customers, except upon request, and requires certain food service businesses to provide reusable, washable utensils to customers eating on site.
Requires electric public utility to reimburse cost of certain customer-owned electric service equipment if damage to equipment is due to weather event affecting electric public utility service.
Prohibits electric public utilities from billing customers for certain services during service interruptions and requires repair of certain street lights.
Requires electric public utility to install and operate smart meters and smart meter technology at customers' premises upon request and in new building construction.
Requires electric public utility to reimburse residential customer for cost of food and prescription medicine spoiled or compromised as a result of sustained electric service outage.