Prohibits utility from billing customer for costs incurred for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure; allows costs for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure be recovered in utility's rate base.
Impact
The bill prohibits public utilities from billing customers for costs incurred due to required infrastructure upgrades resulting from a qualified construction project, provided the customer meets the certification requirements. However, it allows for public utilities to recover their costs through their rate base, while still enabling them to bill customers for any increases in rates relating to the infrastructure upgrades.
Summary
Senate Bill S446 aims to regulate billing practices of public utilities regarding infrastructure upgrades necessitated by construction projects aimed at mitigating damage from natural disasters. The bill specifies that customers who have completed such qualified construction projects must provide certification from licensed contractors to both the Board of Public Utilities and their respective public utility companies within 90 days of completion. This is intended to ensure that the construction work is recognized as beneficial for infrastructure resilience against future disasters.
Contention
Debate surrounding S446 may focus on the balance between providing financial relief to utility customers who invest in mitigating natural disaster impacts and the concern among utility companies regarding their cost recovery processes. Proponents argue that this will encourage customers to invest in disaster-resilient construction without incurring additional financial burdens from utility costs. On the other hand, utility companies might contend that any limitations on billing could impact their financial stability and ability to fund necessary infrastructure improvements.
Same As
Prohibits utility from billing customer for costs incurred for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure; allows costs for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure be recovered in utility's rate base.
Carry Over
Prohibits utility from billing customer for costs incurred for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure; allows costs for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure be recovered in utility's rate base.
Prohibits utility from billing customer for costs incurred for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure; allows costs for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure be recovered in utility's rate base.
Prohibits utility from billing customer for costs incurred for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure; allows costs for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure be recovered in utility's rate base.
Public utilities prohibited from recovering infrastructure costs incurred to extend service to new natural gas customers from existing natural gas customers.
Requires BPU to prohibit electric and gas public utilities from charging residential customers certain types of payments based on certain billing practices.
To require all utility companies to absorb the costs of maintenance, upgrades, and repairs for their pipes, cables, utility poles, electrical lines, and other necessities without increasing rates or costs to consumers/customers.
To require all utility companies to absorb the costs of maintenance, upgrades, and repairs for their pipes, cables, utility poles, electrical lines, and other necessities without increasing rates or costs to consumers/customers.
Requires BPU to prohibit electric and gas public utilities from charging residential customers certain types of payments based on certain billing practices.
Prohibits utility from billing customer for costs incurred for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure; allows costs for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure be recovered in utility's rate base.
Prohibits utility from billing customer for costs incurred for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure; allows costs for certain upgrades to utility infrastructure be recovered in utility's rate base.
Requires electric public utility to charge residential rate for service used by residential customer for electric vehicle charging at charging stations within certain designated parking spaces.