Bill > S2128

This bill requires electric public utilities to prioritize restoring power to certain critical facilities, including assisted living facilities, hospitals, chronic or acute renal dialysis facilities, clinical or research laboratories storing human blood, tissue, or DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), and nursing homes, following an extended power outage (lasting more than 24 hours) that occurs after a major event, which is defined as a significant disruption like a natural disaster or terrorist attack that affects at least 10% of a utility's customers or leads to a state of emergency declaration. The Board of Public Utilities (Board), the state agency that oversees utilities, will create rules for this priority restoration, but these efforts cannot compromise overall public safety, and utilities can use their discretion to prioritize based on a facility's specific needs and the geographic area.