HB 4298 Summary

• Eliminates electric utility choice for retail customers, requiring customers to continue receiving service from incumbent electric utilities rather than alternative suppliers, with existing customers allowed to complete primary contract terms only.

• Reduces the timeline for the Public Service Commission to issue final decisions on rate cases from 12 months to 10 months, removing provisions allowing utilities to self-implement rates after 180 days without a commission order.

• Requires electric utilities to use competitively bid engineering, procurement, and construction contracts for capital projects costing $500 million or more, with up to 150 days allowed for cost estimate updates.

• Adds a new capacity needs and environmental compliance planning process requiring utilities to file plans when compliance costs exceed $500 million, with the Department of Environmental Quality providing environmental impact statements.

• Establishes worker protection requirements for acquisitions of municipal utility divisions, requiring first offers of employment to existing workforce at equivalent wages and benefits for at least 30 months post-transfer.