Rhode Island State Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy (D-Dist. 38, Hopkinton, Westerly) has introduced a bill (H-5978) to enact an electric customer bill of rights.

The legislation mirrors various measures recently adopted in Connecticut.

Notably, the legislation would require that no electric supplier shall charge an electric generation service rate to a residential customer that is twenty-five percent (25%) more than the original contract price, or the last rate notification provided by the electric supplier, without disclosing the rate change fifteen (15) days before it takes effect

H-5978 would limit door-to-door sales to between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

For residential customers, termination fees would be limited to fifty dollars ($50.00), or twice the estimated bill for energy services for an average month, whichever is less

H-5978 directs the PUC to develop a standard form contract summary/disclosure statement.

Among other things, H-5978 provides that bills shall list:

• Any change in rate for the next billing cycle

• The term and expiration date of the current rate

• A notice regarding whether the rate is variable

• The cancellation fee, if applicable

• The default service rate

• The dollar amount that would have been billed for the electric generation services component had the customer been receiving default service

The bill would also require a PUC-run supplier rate board, and a study on the feasibility of accelerated switching.

Text of H-5978