Relates to application requirements for private or government entities that wish to provide electric service converting residential rental buildings from being mass-metered to submetered.
Impact
The implementation of S07588 could significantly impact state laws governing electric service provisions by giving more authority to private and governmental entities to submeter electric services in rental properties. This change would encourage the adoption of energy-efficient practices among tenants and potentially lead to cost savings on utility bills. However, it also necessitates an oversight mechanism to ensure that tenants are treated fairly and that their rights are protected in the transition to submetering.
Summary
Bill S07588 proposes amendments to the public service law concerning the conversion of residential rental buildings from mass-metered to submetered electric service. This bill aims to streamline the process for property owners who wish to implement submetering, which can allow for more accurate billing based on individual tenant usage. To facilitate this change, the bill outlines specific requirements for applications to be submitted to the public service commission, ensuring that tenants are notified and given the opportunity to provide feedback during a public comment period ahead of any approval.
Contention
A notable point of contention surrounding S07588 is how the conversion to submetering may affect tenant billing practices. While proponents argue that submetering could result in lower electricity costs and enhanced energy accountability, critics express concerns regarding potential abuses, where tenants might face unregulated price hikes. Additionally, the success of this bill hinges on the public service commission effectively managing the bureaucratic processes involved and ensuring transparency in communication regarding tenants' rights and responsibilities during the transition to submetered services.
Requires an owner or submeterer of a building to eliminate any submetering problems in a timely manner; imposes responsibility for all the shared area charges for service measured to areas outside of the dwelling, unless there is an agreement to the contrary; prohibits the waiver of such provision; provides a complaint process.
Landlords required to make apportioned and submetered utility service bills for residential buildings due not less than 31 days from the date of bill issuance.
To Provide That Local Governmental Units Shall Have No Authority To Regulate Or Control The Amount Charged For A Rental Application Fee Or Rental Deposit For Private Residential Or Commercial Property.
Directs the public service commission to provide a class of service for facilities that use large amounts of energy; requires an electric company that is providing electricity service to a retail electricity consumer that is a large energy use facility to enter into a contract with the retail electricity consumer that covers the provision of the electricity service; repeals certain provisions upon the expiration thereof.
Provides that in the case of any application for gas service to a building which is not supplied with gas, a utility corporation or municipality shall be obligated to provide gas service to such building.
Provides that in the case of any application for gas service to a building which is not supplied with gas, a utility corporation or municipality shall be obligated to provide gas service to such building.