A bill to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require regulated retail electric utilities to undertake reasonably prudent response activities when natural disasters cause interruptions in electric service, and for other purposes.
Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require State regulatory authorities to investigate, according to prescribed guidelines, electric service interruptions experienced by a State-regulated electric utility as a result of a natural disaster.
Requires such regulatory authority to determine: (1) whether repair costs for utility equipment were caused by imprudent utility action or inaction; and (2) if any damages to electric power customers were the result of unreasonable delay in electric service restoration.
Prohibits repair costs caused by imprudent utility action or inaction from being charged to such utility customers. Requires the utility to compensate customers damaged by unreasonable delay in electric service restoration.
Referred to Subcommittee on Energy Conservation and Power.