NY State Senate Bill 2019-S9091

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Rules Committee

Introduced
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
Delivered to Governor
Signed By Governor

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	Assembly Actions - Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE
Nov 16, 2020	referred to rules

co-Sponsors

2019-S9091 (ACTIVE) - Details

See Assembly Version of this Bill:: A11056
Current Committee:: Senate Rules
Law Section:: Public Service Law
Laws Affected:: Add §65-c, Pub Serv L
Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions:: 2021-2022: S4178, A2464
2023-2024: S1630, A3503

2019-S9091 (ACTIVE) - Summary

Provides that the public service commission shall commence a rulemaking proceeding to set minimum requirements regarding the rights of customers that electric corporations shall adhere to at times preceding and for the duration of an electric service disruption; defines terms; requires electric corporations to establish a unique telephone number for customers with life-saving equipment and special needs; requires dry ice distribution and power charging stations

2019-S9091 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

                                
 
BILL NUMBER: S9091

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the public service law, in relation to establishing the
electric customer bill of rights during a service disruption

 
PURPOSE:

This bill would establish an electric customer bill of rights during a
service disruption. Such rights would include minimum standards an elec-
tric corporation would be required to adhere to at times preceding and
during an electric service disruption.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the unconsolidated law to require the public service
commission to commence a proceeding to set requirements that electric
corporations shall follow at times preceding and for the duration of
"electric service disruption" (defined as one or more customers in a

service area losing power for 12 hours or more). Such requirements shall
at minimum require electric corporations to:

Provide a pro-rata basic service charge refund to customers;

- provide backup generators or temporary lodging to customers with life-
saving equipment;

- prioritize restoration to customers with lifesaving equipment; provide
compensation for lost income to customers who work from home;

- establish or modify a tariff regarding reimbursement for spoilage of
food and medication, which shall include:

- customer notification requirements regarding the spoilage of food and
medication claims process so that customers are aware of how to document
their loses prior-to and during the event, and

- guidelines for electric corporations regarding proof-of-loss documen-
tation and claim frequency; and

- establish a plan for dry ice distribution and power charging locations
for outages that affect at least 5,000 customers for 12 hours or more.

Section two amends the public service law to add a new section sixty-
five-c to establish an "electric customer bill of rights during a
service disruption" - which would set minimum standards electric corpo-
rations would be required to follow at times preceding and for the dura-
tion of "electric service disruption" (defined as one or more customers
in a service area losing power for 12 hours or more) regarding:

- Pre-disruption customer communication;

- customer communication for the duration of the disruption;

- services for customers with life-saving equipment and special needs
customers, including the establishment of a unique priority phone
number;
- dry ice distribution and power charging stations for outages that
affect at least 5,000 customers for 12 hours or more; and

- reimbursement for spoilage of food and medication, which shall
include:

* customer notification requirements regarding the spoilage of food and
medication claims process so that customers are aware of how to document
their loses prior-to and during the event, and

* guidelines for electric corporations regarding proof-of-loss documen-
tation and claim frequency.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Hundred of thousands of New Yorkers lost power as a result of Tropical
Storm Isaias, with many disruptions lasting multiple days.  Infrastruc-
ture of various utilities across multiple service areas was affected.
Electric customers are already subject to seemingly endless rate-hikes -
and should be provided basic services and accommodations by their elec-
tric corporation in the event of an outage. Instead, many are left in
the dark with little communication or support from their utility.

While public service law does contain language regarding customer rights
in a general sense, it does not have customer-focused standards in the
event of an outage that can be found in one place.  Additionally, utili-
ty emergency response plans concentrate on the administration of power
restoration, with few requirements related to customer rights.

This bill would update public service law to include an electric custom-
er bill of rights during a service disruption. The bill would add
requirements regarding customer communication at times preceding and
during the disruption; special services and accommodations for customers
with lifesaving equipment and special needs customers; dry ice distrib-
ution and power charging stations; standards for reimbursement for spoi-
lage of food and medication; and pro-rata refunds/discounts for
aòutility's basic service charge.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Undetermined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

2019-S9091 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

                            
 
                     S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9091
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                             November 16, 2020
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sen.  COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
   printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
 
 AN ACT to amend the public service law, in relation to establishing  the
   electric customer bill of rights during a service disruption
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

   Section 1. 1. Definitions. For purposes of this section:
   a. "customer with life-saving equipment" shall have the  same  meaning
 as  a  person  living  in a residence that uses a life support system as
 defined in subdivision 12 of section 65 of the public service law;
   b. "electric service disruption" shall mean a storm, storm-like  emer-
 gency  or  system  emergency that causes or is projected to cause one or
 more customers in a county or service area of an electric corporation to
 lose electric service for twelve hours or more; and
   c. "special needs customer" shall mean electric corporation  customers
 including but not limited to the elderly, the vision-impaired, the hear-
 ing  and  speech-impaired,  and the mobility impaired, and human service
 agencies representing such customers.
   2. The public service commission shall commence a rulemaking  proceed-
 ing  to  set minimum requirements regarding the rights of customers that
 electric corporations shall adhere to at times  preceding  and  for  the
 duration of an electric service disruption. Upon adoption by the commis-
 sion,  each electric corporation shall incorporate the established mini-
 mum requirements into its emergency response plan pursuant  to  subdivi-
 sion  21  of  section  66 of the public service law and shall inform its
 customers of such information via posts on its website, e-mail and  bill
 inserts.  Such  rulemaking  proceeding  shall  set  minimum requirements
 regarding:
   a. electric corporations providing a refund or discount  to  customers
 for  the  basic service charge, fixed charge, or minimum customer charge
 for electric service on a pro-rata basis, based on the duration of elec-
 tric service disruption to the customer;
   b. for customers with life-saving equipment and special needs  custom-
 ers, electric corporations delivering, and refueling or recharging back-
 up  generators capable of powering life-saving equipment to such custom-
 ers, or providing temporary lodging accommodations at a location capable

 of powering life-saving equipment, including but not limited to  compen-
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD17285-02-0

 S. 9091                             2
 
 sation  for hotel rooms or hospital admissions, based on the duration of
 electric service disruption to the customer;
   c.  the establishment of a plan by electric corporations to prioritize
 electric service restoration to customers with life-saving equipment and
 special needs customers;
   d. electric corporations  providing  customers  who  work  from  home,
 compensation  for  lost income or revenue based on the duration of elec-
 tric service disruption to the customer;
   e. the establishment,  modification  or  replacement  of  an  electric
 corporation  tariff  that  adopts  the  provisions  of  subdivision 5 of
 section 65-c of the public service law regarding reimbursement for spoi-
 lage of food and medication. Such tariff  shall  establish  requirements
 regarding  communications to customers on the claims process for spoiled
 food and medication at times preceding and for the duration of an  elec-
 tric  service disruption, so that customers are aware of how to document
 their losses; and
   f. the establishment of a plan by electric  corporations  to  identify
 locations  for  dry  ice  distribution  and  co-located  power  charging
 stations in the event a storm, storm-like emergency or system  emergency
 that  causes or is projected to cause five thousand or more customers in
 a county or service area of an electric  corporation  to  lose  electric
 service for twelve hours or more. In cooperation with relevant entities,
 such  plan  shall  identify public and private locations and provide for
 backup locations. Such plan shall provide that, in a city with  a  popu-
 lation  of  one  million or more residents, all customers affected by an
 outage shall be within one-quarter of a mile from a dry  ice  and  power
 charging location.
   § 2. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 65-c to
 read as follows:
   §  65-C. ELECTRIC CUSTOMER BILL OF RIGHTS DURING A SERVICE DISRUPTION.
 1. DEFINITIONS. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION:
   (A) "CUSTOMER WITH LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT" SHALL HAVE THE SAME  MEANING
 AS  A  PERSON  LIVING  IN A RESIDENCE THAT USES A LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM AS
 DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWELVE OF SECTION SIXTY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE;
   (B) "ELECTRIC SERVICE DISRUPTION" SHALL MEAN A STORM, STORM-LIKE EMER-
 GENCY OR SYSTEM EMERGENCY THAT CAUSES OR IS PROJECTED TO  CAUSE  ONE  OR
 MORE CUSTOMERS IN A COUNTY OR SERVICE AREA OF AN ELECTRIC CORPORATION TO
 LOSE ELECTRIC SERVICE FOR TWELVE HOURS OR MORE; AND
   (C) "SPECIAL NEEDS CUSTOMER" SHALL MEAN ELECTRIC CORPORATION CUSTOMERS
 INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ELDERLY, THE VISION-IMPAIRED, THE HEAR-
 ING  AND  SPEECH-IMPAIRED,  AND THE MOBILITY IMPAIRED, AND HUMAN SERVICE
 AGENCIES REPRESENTING SUCH CUSTOMERS.
   2. CUSTOMER COMMUNICATION. (A) TO  THE  EXTENT  PRACTICABLE  BASED  ON
 WEATHER PROJECTIONS, STORM CLASSIFICATION AND PRE-DISRUPTION INFORMATION
 REGARDING  THE EXTENT OF THE OUTAGE, AN ELECTRIC CORPORATION PRIOR TO AN
 ELECTRIC SERVICE DISRUPTION SHALL COMMUNICATE WITH CUSTOMERS  VIA  POSTS
 ON  SUCH  CORPORATION'S  WEBSITE,  E-MAIL,  AUTOMATED PHONE CALL, AND IF
 INDICATED BY THE CUSTOMER,  TEXT  MESSAGE;  AND  COMMUNICATE  WITH  NEWS
 MEDIA,  SOCIAL  MEDIA  SITES,  AND  LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS. AN ELECTRIC
 CORPORATION SHALL HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF CONVEYING SUCH COMMUNICATION IN
 AT LEAST ONE LANGUAGE  OTHER  THAN  ENGLISH.  SUCH  COMMUNICATION  SHALL
 INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO:
   I.  INFORMATION REGARDING THE SEVERITY OF A STORM, STORM-LIKE ELECTRIC
 EMERGENCY OR SYSTEM EMERGENCY;

 S. 9091                             3
 
   II. OUTAGE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, INCLUDING BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO:  STORM
 SURVIVAL WITHOUT ELECTRIC POWER, SAFETY PRECAUTIONS REGARDING ELECTRICAL
 HAZARDS SUCH AS DOWNED WIRES AND THE USE OF PORTABLE GENERATORS;
   III. INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REPORT AN OUTAGE;
   IV.  INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO RECEIVE OR OBTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING AN
 ESTIMATED TIME OF RESTORATION IN THE EVENT THERE IS AN OUTAGE;
   V. PLANNED DRY ICE DISTRIBUTION AND POWER CHARGING LOCATIONS  PURSUANT
 TO SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION;
   VI. PLANNED COOLING LOCATIONS IF NECESSARY;
   VII.  THE  CLAIMS  PROCESS FOR SPOILED FOOD AND MEDICATION PURSUANT TO
 SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION, SO THAT CUSTOMERS ARE AWARE OF HOW  TO
 DOCUMENT THEIR LOSSES;
   VIII.  POTENTIAL INFORMATION ADOPTED PURSUANT TO A RULEMAKING PROCEED-
 ING COMMENCED BY THE COMMISSION REGARDING: A PRO-RATA  DISCOUNT  ON  THE
 BASIC  SERVICE  CHARGE,  BACKUP GENERATORS OR TEMPORARY LODGING ACCOMMO-
 DATIONS AND COMPENSATION FOR CUSTOMERS WITH  LIFE-SAVING  EQUIPMENT  AND
 SPECIAL NEEDS CUSTOMERS, AND COMPENSATION FOR LOST INCOME OR REVENUE FOR
 CUSTOMERS THAT WORK FROM HOME; AND
   IX.  INFORMATION  FOR CUSTOMERS WITH LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT AND SPECIAL
 NEEDS CUSTOMERS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: THE UNIQUE PRIORITY  PHONE
 NUMBER  FOR  SUCH  CUSTOMERS  ESTABLISHED  PURSUANT  TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF
 SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION, THE POTENTIAL USE OF BACKUP EQUIPMENT
 NEEDED TO POWER LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT, AND THE POTENTIAL FACILITATION OF
 TRANSPORTATION TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL OR FACILITY THAT  IS  CAPABLE  OF
 POWERING LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT.
   (B)  FOR THE DURATION OF AN ELECTRIC SERVICE DISRUPTION, SUCH ELECTRIC
 CORPORATION SHALL COMMUNICATE WITH CUSTOMERS VIA POSTS  ON  SUCH  CORPO-
 RATION'S  WEBSITE, E-MAIL, AUTOMATED PHONE CALL, AND IF INDICATED BY THE
 CUSTOMER, TEXT MESSAGE; AND COMMUNICATE WITH NEWS  MEDIA,  SOCIAL  MEDIA
 SITES,  AND  LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS. AN ELECTRIC CORPORATION SHALL HAVE
 THE CAPABILITY OF CONVEYING SUCH COMMUNICATION IN AT LEAST ONE  LANGUAGE
 OTHER  THAN ENGLISH. SUCH COMMUNICATION SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED
 TO:
   I. INFORMATION REGARDING THE ONGOING SEVERITY OF A  STORM,  STORM-LIKE
 ELECTRIC EMERGENCY OR SYSTEM EMERGENCY;
   II.  OUTAGE  SAFETY  PRECAUTIONS,  INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: STORM
 SURVIVAL WITHOUT ELECTRIC POWER, SAFETY PRECAUTIONS REGARDING ELECTRICAL
 HAZARDS SUCH AS DOWNED WIRES AND THE USE OF PORTABLE GENERATORS;
   III. INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REPORT AN OUTAGE;
   IV. UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING THE ESTIMATED TIME  OF  RESTORATION,
 INCLUDING WEBSITE LINKS TO OUTAGE MAPS UPDATED EVERY THIRTY MINUTES;
   V. NOTIFICATION TO CUSTOMERS WITH LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT, SPECIAL NEEDS
 CUSTOMERS  AND  CUSTOMERS  WHO  REPORTED  AN  OUTAGE WHEN POWER HAS BEEN
 RESTORED TO THEIR AREA FOR VERIFICATION PURPOSES;
   VI. INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO RECEIVE OR OBTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING  AN
 ESTIMATED TIME OF RESTORATION;
   VII.  DRY  ICE  DISTRIBUTION  AND POWER CHARGING LOCATIONS PURSUANT TO
 SUBDIVISION FOUR OF THIS SECTION;
   VIII. COOLING LOCATIONS, IF NECESSARY;
   IX. THE CLAIMS PROCESS FOR SPOILED FOOD  AND  MEDICATION  PURSUANT  TO
 SUBDIVISION  FIVE  OF THIS SECTION SO THAT CUSTOMERS ARE AWARE OF HOW TO
 DOCUMENT THEIR LOSSES;
   X. POTENTIAL INFORMATION ADOPTED PURSUANT TO A  RULEMAKING  PROCEEDING
 COMMENCED  BY THE COMMISSION REGARDING: A PRO-RATA DISCOUNT ON THE BASIC
 SERVICE CHARGE, BACKUP GENERATORS OR  TEMPORARY  LODGING  ACCOMMODATIONS
 AND  COMPENSATION  FOR  CUSTOMERS WITH LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT AND SPECIAL

 S. 9091                             4
 
 NEEDS CUSTOMERS, AND COMPENSATION FOR LOST INCOME OR REVENUE FOR CUSTOM-
 ERS THAT WORK FROM HOME; AND
   XI.  INFORMATION  FOR CUSTOMERS WITH LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT AND SPECIAL
 NEEDS CUSTOMERS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: THE UNIQUE PRIORITY  PHONE
 NUMBER  FOR  SUCH  CUSTOMERS  ESTABLISHED  PURSUANT  TO PARAGRAPH (A) OF
 SUBDIVISION THREE OF THIS SECTION, THE POTENTIAL USE OF BACKUP EQUIPMENT
 NEEDED TO POWER LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT, AND THE FACILITATION OF TRANSPOR-
 TATION TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL OR FACILITY THAT IS CAPABLE  OF  POWERING
 LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT.
   3.  CUSTOMERS  WITH LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT AND SPECIAL NEEDS CUSTOMERS.
 (A) ELECTRIC CORPORATIONS SHALL ESTABLISH A UNIQUE PRIORITY PHONE NUMBER
 THAT SHALL REMAIN IN OPERATION EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR FOR CUSTOMERS  WITH
 LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT AND SPECIAL NEEDS CUSTOMERS.
   (B)INFORMATION  REGARDING  SUCH PHONE NUMBER SHALL BE PROVIDED IN BILL
 INSERTS, VIA E-MAIL, AND POSTED ON ELECTRIC CORPORATIONS'  WEBSITES  AND
 SHALL  INCLUDE  REMINDERS FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS WITH LIFE-SAVING EQUIP-
 MENT AND SPECIAL NEEDS CUSTOMERS TO CALL SUCH NUMBER TO ENSURE THEY  ARE
 STILL  REGISTERED WITH THE ELECTRIC CORPORATION AS A CUSTOMER WITH LIFE-
 SAVING EQUIPMENT OR A SPECIAL NEEDS CUSTOMER.
   (C) CUSTOMERS WITH LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT AND SPECIAL  NEEDS  CUSTOMERS
 SHALL  BE  ABLE TO CALL SUCH NUMBER ESTABLISHED BY PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS
 SUBDIVISION AT ANY TIME, INCLUDING A TIME PRECEDING OR DURING  AN  ELEC-
 TRIC SERVICE DISRUPTION TO:
   I.  REGISTER  WITH  AN  ELECTRIC CORPORATION SO AS TO BE PLACED ON ITS
 CURRENT LIST OF CUSTOMERS WHO  USE  LIFE  SUPPORT  SYSTEMS  PURSUANT  TO
 SUBDIVISION TWELVE OF SECTION SIXTY-FIVE OF THIS ARTICLE;
   II.  RECEIVE  INFORMATION  OR  PROJECTIONS REGARDING THE SEVERITY OF A
 STORM, STORM-LIKE ELECTRIC EMERGENCY OR SYSTEM EMERGENCY, IF APPLICABLE;
   III. REPORT AN OUTAGE OR RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS  ON  HOW  TO  REPORT  AN
 OUTAGE;
   IV. RECEIVE UPDATED INFORMATION REGARDING THE ESTIMATED TIME OF RESTO-
 RATION,  INCLUDING  WEBSITE  LINKS  TO  OUTAGE MAPS UPDATED EVERY THIRTY
 MINUTES, IF APPLICABLE;
   V. RECEIVE OUTAGE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, INCLUDING BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO:
 STORM  SURVIVAL  WITHOUT  ELECTRIC  POWER,  SAFETY PRECAUTIONS REGARDING
 ELECTRICAL HAZARDS SUCH AS DOWNED WIRES AND THE USE OF PORTABLE  GENERA-
 TORS;
   VI.  RECEIVE  INFORMATION  REGARDING  DRY  ICE  DISTRIBUTION AND POWER
 CHARGING LOCATIONS PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION  FOUR  OF  THIS  SECTION,  IF
 APPLICABLE;
   VII. RECEIVE INFORMATION REGARDING POWER CHARGING LOCATIONS, IF APPLI-
 CABLE;
   VIII.  RECEIVE  INFORMATION  REGARDING COOLING LOCATIONS, IF NECESSARY
 AND APPLICABLE;
   IX. RECEIVE INFORMATION REGARDING THE CLAIMS PROCESS FOR SPOILED  FOOD
 AND MEDICATION PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION FIVE OF THIS SECTION, IF APPLICA-
 BLE, SO THAT CUSTOMERS ARE AWARE OF HOW TO DOCUMENT THEIR LOSSES;
   X.  RECEIVE  POTENTIAL  INFORMATION  ADOPTED  PURSUANT TO A RULEMAKING
 PROCEEDING COMMENCED BY THE COMMISSION REGARDING: A PRO-RATA DISCOUNT ON
 THE BASIC SERVICE CHARGE, BACKUP GENERATORS OR TEMPORARY LODGING  ACCOM-
 MODATIONS  AND COMPENSATION FOR CUSTOMERS WITH LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT AND
 SPECIAL NEEDS CUSTOMERS, AND COMPENSATION FOR LOST INCOME OR REVENUE FOR
 CUSTOMERS THAT WORK FROM HOME, IF APPLICABLE; AND
   XI. RECEIVE INFORMATION REGARDING THE FACILITATION  OF  TRANSPORTATION
 TO  THE  NEAREST  HOSPITAL OR FACILITY THAT IS CAPABLE OF POWERING LIFE-
 SAVING EQUIPMENT, IF APPLICABLE.

 S. 9091                             5
 
   4. DRY ICE DISTRIBUTION AND POWER CHARGING STATIONS. (A) IN THE  EVENT
 A  STORM,  STORM-LIKE  EMERGENCY  OR  SYSTEM EMERGENCY THAT CAUSES OR IS
 PROJECTED TO CAUSE FIVE THOUSAND  OR  MORE  CUSTOMERS  IN  A  COUNTY  OR
 SERVICE  AREA  OF  AN  ELECTRIC CORPORATION TO LOSE ELECTRIC SERVICE FOR
 TWELVE  HOURS  OR  MORE,  AN  ELECTRIC  CORPORATION  SHALL  COMMENCE THE
 DISTRIBUTION OF DRY ICE AND  DEPLOYMENT  OF  CO-LOCATED  POWER  CHARGING
 STATIONS  TO CUSTOMERS NO LATER THAN TWELVE HOURS FOLLOWING THE START OF
 POWER RESTORATION OPERATIONS UNDERTAKEN BY  SUCH  ELECTRIC  CORPORATION.
 SUCH DISTRIBUTION SHALL BE PURSUANT TO A RULEMAKING PROCEEDING COMMENCED
 BY THE COMMISSION REGARDING LOCATIONS FOR DRY ICE DISTRIBUTION AND POWER
 CHARGING LOCATIONS, IF SUCH PROCEEDING HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
   (B)  PRIOR  TO  A STORM, STORM-LIKE EMERGENCY OR SYSTEM EMERGENCY THAT
 CAUSES OR IS PROJECTED TO CAUSE FIVE THOUSAND OR  MORE  CUSTOMERS  IN  A
 COUNTY  OR  SERVICE  AREA  OF  AN  ELECTRIC CORPORATION TO LOSE ELECTRIC
 SERVICE FOR TWELVE HOURS OR MORE, TO THE  EXTENT  PRACTICABLE  BASED  ON
 WEATHER  PROJECTIONS,  STORM CLASSIFICATION, AND PRE-DISRUPTION INFORMA-
 TION REGARDING THE EXTENT OF THE OUTAGE, AN ELECTRIC  CORPORATION  SHALL
 BEGIN  THE  PROCUREMENT PROCESS FOR DRY ICE FOR PURPOSES OF DISTRIBUTION
 TO CUSTOMERS DURING SUCH DISRUPTION.
   5. REIMBURSEMENT FOR SPOILAGE OF FOOD AND MEDICATION. (A) AN  ELECTRIC
 CORPORATION  SHALL  REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR SPOILAGE OF FOOD AND MEDICA-
 TION DUE TO LACK OF REFRIGERATION THAT IS  ATTRIBUTABLE  TO  A  LOSS  OF
 ELECTRIC  SERVICE  BECAUSE  OF A STORM, STORM-LIKE ELECTRIC EMERGENCY OR
 SYSTEM EMERGENCY WHEN SUCH SERVICE DISRUPTION  LASTS  FOR  A  PERIOD  IN
 EXCESS  OF TWELVE HOURS OR WHEN THE SAME CUSTOMER IS SUBJECTED TO TWO OR
 MORE SUCH SERVICE DISRUPTIONS AGGREGATING TWELVE HOURS OR MORE WITHIN  A
 TWENTY-FOUR HOUR PERIOD, PURSUANT TO THE FOLLOWING:
   I. FOR A RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER WITH A CLAIM FOR SPOILAGE OF FOOD TOTAL-
 ING  TWO  HUNDRED  TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS OR LESS, THE ELECTRIC CORPORATION
 SHALL ONLY BE AUTHORIZED TO REQUIRE AN ITEMIZED LIST  OF  SUCH  FOOD  IN
 ORDER TO PROCESS SUCH CLAIM;
   II. FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS WITH A CLAIM FOR SPOILAGE OF FOOD TOTAL-
 ING  TWO  HUNDRED  TWENTY-SIX  DOLLARS OR MORE, THE ELECTRIC CORPORATION
 SHALL ONLY BE AUTHORIZED TO REQUIRE  AN  ITEMIZED  LIST  AND  DOCUMENTED
 PROOF,  WHICH  MAY CONSTITUTE A PICTURE, OF A LOSS OF SUCH FOOD IN ORDER
 TO PROCESS SUCH CLAIM;
   III. FOR A RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER WITH A CLAIM FOR SPOILAGE  OF  MEDICA-
 TION TOTALING ANY AMOUNT, THE ELECTRIC CORPORATION SHALL ONLY BE AUTHOR-
 IZED TO REQUIRE AN ITEMIZED LIST AND DOCUMENTED PROOF, WHICH MAY CONSTI-
 TUTE  A  PICTURE,  OF  LOSS  OF SUCH MEDICATION IN ORDER TO PROCESS SUCH
 CLAIM;
   IV. RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO SUBMIT ONE CLAIM  FOR
 SPOILAGE OF FOOD PER WEEK FOR THE DURATION OF THE OUTAGE. THERE SHALL BE
 NO  LIMIT  ON THE NUMBER OF CLAIMS SUBMITTED FOR SPOILAGE OF MEDICATION;
 AND
   V. UPON RECEIPT OF SUCH CLAIMS, AN ELECTRIC CORPORATION SHALL  FACILI-
 TATE PAYMENT TO SUCH CUSTOMER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
   (B)  ELECTRIC CORPORATIONS SHALL BE REQUIRED TO COMMUNICATE TO CUSTOM-
 ERS THE CLAIMS PROCESS FOR SPOILED FOOD AND  MEDICATION  ESTABLISHED  BY
 THIS  SECTION  AT  TIMES  PRECEDING  AND FOR THE DURATION OF AN ELECTRIC
 SERVICE DISRUPTION, SO THAT CUSTOMERS ARE AWARE OF HOW TO DOCUMENT THEIR
 LOSSES.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately, provided that section two
 shall take effect one year after the effective date of this act.

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Senate Bill S9091

Sponsored By

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Rules Committee

co-Sponsors

2019-S9091 (ACTIVE) - Details

2019-S9091 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S9091 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2019-S9091 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments

Senate Bill S9091

Share this bill

Sponsored By

Leroy Comrie

Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Rules Committee

co-Sponsors

Todd Kaminsky

2019-S9091 (ACTIVE) - Details

2019-S9091 (ACTIVE) - Summary

2019-S9091 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo

2019-S9091 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf

Comments