Regulation: Protecting Consumers, Promoting Efficiency

Model Citations From State Statutes That Recognize A Right To Universal Energy Service - Excerpt from Press Statement by John Howat, National Consumer Law Center May 2001.

Fair Fees, Charges, Penalties, and Other Bill Additions

• Red Flags for Consumer Protection Policies Governing Essential Electric and Gas Utility Services: How to Avoid Adverse Impacts on Low-Income Consumers - By Barbara Alexander
• New Mexico Community Action wins protection from late fees and deposits for all
• Arizona CAA Association and NCLC efforts end payday lender utility services
• Leveraging Partnership Project Collection of Model Statutes and Rules Protecting vulnerable Consumers from High Security Deposit Requirements in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Louisiana

Termination Policies and Protections

• The National Regulatory Research Institute’s overview of payment problems and reporting on consumer arrears based on a survey of state commissions’ termination data - Recommendations include more extensive, timely reports on occupied-but-disconnected homes. The National Association of utility regulators has endorsed the recommendation.
• Iowa’s report on non-payment during moratorium shows consumers did not stop making payments because of a winter shutoff moratorium.
• KY pre-pay meter testimony rebuts another mechanism for (self) disconnection - the pre-pay meter - now in use by some Arizona utilities; the KY Association has finally prevailed in its opposition.
• State of Iowa LIHEAP Testimony v. Service Limiters Instead of termination
• Smart Meters, Demand Response and "Real Time" Pricing: Implications for Low-Income Customers - Presentation by Barbara Alexander (Full paper here)
• The Iowa model statute - The reports on termination and arrears filed to comply with it are available from both the commission and LIHEAP office sites.
• Key wording of WI shutoff rule - The language that establishes the toughest and most customer-service-intensive state disconnection protection. (Highlights by EOS).
• Minnesota Rule on Utility Shut-off Protection and/or Reconnection