ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission Thursday implemented new rules that require certain electric and gas companies to compensate residential and small business customers who have experienced widespread prolonged service outages.
“Our decision today provides a remedial payment framework for widespread and prolonged service outages,” said Commission Chair Rory Christian. “Consumers will now be eligible to receive compensation in the event of widespread service outages lasting longer than three days, which is good news for all consumers and will help ensure utilities do their best to restore service as quickly and as safely as possible.”
The commission action adopted rules to implement a new provision of the Public Service Law that requires Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.; Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation; New York State Electric & Gas Corporation and other utility companies in the state to compensate customers who have experienced widespread prolonged electric or gas service outages.
The new law requires utility companies to provide residential customers with a credit of $25 on the balance of their bill for each 24 hour period of service outage that occurs for more than 72 consecutive hours after a widespread prolonged outage; with a reimbursement up to $235 if the residential customer provides an itemized list, or up to $540 if the customer provides proof of loss, for any food that spoils due to a widespread service outage that lasts longer than 72 consecutive hours; and reimbursement for prescription medications that have spoiled up to the amount of the actual loss.
The law also requires utility companies to reimburse small business customers up to $540 for food spoiled, if the customer provides an itemized list and proof of loss.
