Bill > A2095

This bill requires public utilities, specifically those providing gas, electric, water, or sewer service, to notify their customers about any proposed increase in rates, tolls, or charges. This notification must be included with customer bills or sent separately if bills are electronic or not provided monthly, and also published in a newspaper in each county where the utility operates, ensuring customers are informed in advance of any scheduled hearings. The bill also revises the requirements for public hearings on these proposed rate increases, mandating that if a proposed adjustment affects municipalities in more than one county, a hearing must be held in the largest municipality within each affected county, and if multiple municipalities are in a single affected service area, the hearing should be held in the municipality with the largest population within that area. Furthermore, the Board of Public Utilities (Board) and the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) are now required to actively receive and make reasonable efforts to address public questions and comments during these hearings, which are overseen by the Board, a state agency that regulates utilities.