Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB5576

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that in the event that more than 0.8% (rather than 30,000) of the total customers of an electric utility are subjected to a continuous power interruption of 4 hours or more that results in the transmission of power at less than 50% of the standard voltage, or that results in the total loss of power transmission, the utility shall be responsible for compensating customers affected by that interruption for 4 hours or more for all actual damages, which shall not include consequential damages, suffered as a result of the power interruption. Provides that in the event of a power surge or other fluctuation that causes damage and affects more than 0.8% (rather than 30,000) of the customers, the electric utility shall pay to affected customers the replacement value of all goods damaged as a result of the power surge or other fluctuation unless the utility can show that the power surge or other fluctuation was due to one or more of specified causes. Provides that customers to whom a waiver has been granted by the Illinois Commerce Commission pursuant to specified provisions shall not count toward the 0.8% (rather than 30,000) of the customers specified in certain provisions. Provides that the requirements of specified provisions apply only to an electric public utility having 100,000 (rather than 1,000,000) or more customers. Effective immediately.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that in the event that more than either (i) 30,000 of the total customers or (ii) 0.8% of the total customers, whichever is less, (rather than only more than 30,000 customers) of an electric utility are subjected to a continuous power interruption of 4 hours or more that results in the transmission of power at less than 50% of the standard voltage, or that results in the total loss of power transmission, the utility shall be responsible for customers affected by that interruption for 4 hours or more for all actual damages, which shall not include consequential damages, suffered as a result of the power interruption. Provides that in the event of a power surge or other fluctuation that causes damage and affects more than either (i) 30,000 of the total customers or (ii) 0.8% of the total customers, whichever is less, (rather than only more than 30,000 customers) the electric utility shall pay to affected customers the replacement value of all goods damaged as a result of the power surge or other fluctuation unless the utility can show that the power surge or other fluctuation was due to one or more of specified causes. Provides that customers with respect to whom a waiver has been granted by the Illinois Commerce Commission pursuant to specified provisions shall not count toward the either (i) 30,000 of the total customers or (ii) 0.8% of the total customers (rather than specifying only 30,000 customers) required therein. Provides that a utility's request for a waiver under specified provisions shall be timely if filed no later than 30 days after the date on which a claim is filed with the Commission seeking damages or expense reimbursement under specified provisions. Provides that no utility shall be liable under specified provisions while a request for waiver is pending. Provides that specified requirements shall apply only to an electric public utility having 100,000 or more customers (rather than 1,000,000 or more customers). Provides that there is no rulemaking authority under the amendatory Act, but that the Governor may suggest rules by filing them with the General Assembly and requesting that the General Assembly authorize such rulemaking by law, enact the suggested rules into law, or take other appropriate action in the General Assembly's discretion. Effective immediately.

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