Slow progress for plan to allow bigger storm fines for utilities
A bill identified as a priority by the head of the Board of Public Utilities that would increase the fines electric companies face for mishandling storms took just one step through the process before most of the Legislature went on recess.
Utility companies that don’t meet standards can be fined $100 a day. The “Reliability, Preparedness and Storm Response Act” would crank that up to $25,000 per violation, up to $2 million per storm, and has been endorsed by the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee.
“It’s clear that I think there’s more that can be done,” said Assemblyman Dan Benson, D-Mercer. “In working with the stakeholders, what we’ve heard is the ability to fine by the BPU is antiquated. And so this bill updates that.”