NY A01019

Public Service Commission must conduct an immediate study of consumer protections adopted by electric utilities and municipalities, with results reported to the governor, legislative leaders, and relevant committee chairs.

Study must analyze the effectiveness of utility procedures for notifying customers in arrears about avoiding service termination, including availability of deferred payment agreements and the adequacy of PSC assistance in negotiating such agreements.

Report must include data on deferred payment plans by service territory, instances of unlawful down payment requirements, PSC shutoff hotline call volume, and monthly terminations of customers previously receiving Home Energy Assistance Program benefits.

Report must be made public on the PSC website and may include recommendations from utilities, municipalities, consumer advocates, and the public to improve consumer protection policies.

If the study is not completed by November 15, 2020, a moratorium on utility service terminations for residential customers in arrears takes effect from December 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021, though utilities may continue billing and offering payment plans during this period.