An Act relating to the provision of electric service in the state; and providing for an effective date.

Updated: September 30, 1999

Section 1: Adds new section to AS 42.05 concerning electric consumer protection:

Provides that the Alaska Public Utilities Commission ("APUC") is to establish regulations concerning consumer protection standards, licensing requirements, procedures for resolution of consumer complaints, minimum safety standards, service criteria, and penalties in a competitive electrical market.

[NOTE: language will need to be changed to reflect "Regulatory Commission of Alaska" instead of APUC as per law adopted during 1999 session]

Consumer protection standards are to address the following areas of concern:

• information and educational material,
• offer of service to consumers,
• electric service choices and pricing options,
• information and record,
• minimum safety standards and service criteria,
• advertised terms and conditions, and
• unreasonable terms and conditions.

Requires that regulations that mandate that service providers continue to provide electric service to residential consumers who demonstrate economic hardship. Such regulations may require establishment of a reasonable deferred payment plan.

Regulations shall require an aggregator or supplier to meet minimum standards for certification as a condition of entry into the market. These standards are to be adopted by Commission regulations and must provide for reliable and safe electrical power.

Regulations must state that consumers are to receive only one periodic bill for provision of electric services to a location. That bill must provide clear and concise information regarding the bill.

Regulations are to provide that a customer's provider may only be changed upon written authorization of the customer (this is to prevent the practice known as "slamming").

Reports will be required from the providers participating in a competitive electric service market.

Utilities that have opted out of economic regulation by the Commission will not be brought back under economic regulation; however, if these utilities are operating in a competitive market, they will be required to follow the consumer protection requirements of this legislation.

Definitions of "competitive electric service market" and "electric service provider".

Section 2: Effective date: immediate.