Relates to requiring the public service commission to provide certain information relating to a major change in rates on its website

• Democratic4

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Erik Bottcher says this is needed

Utilities often request a significant increase in their rates, expecting their final approved rates to be lower after negotiating with staff at the Department of Public Service and intervening parties. At the end of the rate case process the Public Service Commissioners, when adopting new rates, often tout how much lower the approved rate increase is compared to the rates initially filed by the utility. Despite these efforts and statements utility customers have seen significant rate increases on their bills in recent years, contributing to a crisis of affordability. This legislation would require the Public Service Commission to actively consider the affordability of the rates filed by the utility with a focus on the cumulative impacts of rates and the interests of low- and middle-income customers. Furthermore, this legislation would require any order approving a major change in rates to include a written explanation of specific actions the Commissioners or Department staff took during the rate case process to promote affordability. This would not only statutorily require consideration of affordability in rate cases, but shed light on the efforts referenced by Commissioners that result in lower rate increases.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.