Bill > SB1631

This bill makes several changes to the laws governing electric cooperatives, generation and transmission cooperatives, and public power entities in Arizona: It repeals a section related to electric power competition and changes the chapter heading to "Electric Energy Reliability." The bill adds new definitions, including for "public power entity" and "retail electric customer," and requires public power entities to establish an ombudsman office and adopt rules to protect consumers against deceptive, unfair, and abusive business practices. It also requires public power entities to maintain the confidentiality of customer information and competitive business information. The bill provides for a process to appeal decisions by the governing bodies of public power entities related to ratemaking or rate design, including specific grounds and procedures. It also requires certain public power entities to offer a "buy-through" program allowing customers to purchase electricity from a source other than the public power entity, subject to certain terms and limitations. Additionally, the bill requires public power entities to participate in efforts to coordinate the scheduling of generation or transmission. Finally, the bill makes various changes to the definitions and regulatory authority of the Arizona Corporation Commission over public service corporations, including provisions related to consumer protection and the installation of electric and natural gas facilities in residential structures.