HB 22-1018

HB 22-1018, also known as Electric and Gas Utility Customer Protections, is a Colorado law that aims to protect utility customers. It changes how funds are distributed for energy assistance and sets new rules for when utilities can disconnect service, such as prohibiting disconnections on weekends, holidays, or during emergencies. The bill also establishes income standards for households to qualify for utility assistance programs and allows the Public Utilities Commission to offer special benefits to low-income customers year-round. Since it has been signed into law, these protections are now in effect for eligible Colorado residents.

Official Summary

Section 1 of the act changes the date on which Energy Outreach Colorado disburses to the department of human services (department) a portion of the energy assistance system benefit charges that investor-owned electric and gas utilities collect from January 1, 2022, to March 1, 2023. Section 2 requires the public utilities commission (commission) to adopt rules prohibiting electric and gas utilities from disconnecting a customer's service: On Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays; On state or federal holidays; To the greatest extent practicable, after 11:59 a.m. on a Monday through Thursday that is not a holiday; During an emergency or safety event or circumstance, which includes a manmade or natural emergency or a severe weather event that is likely to affect travel, staffing, or work conditions. Additionally, the commission's rules must require that, under certain circumstances in which a customer makes a request for reconnection of service on a Monday through Friday that is not a holiday, the utility is required to reconnect the customer's service that same day. Section 3 establishes 3 income standards for determining a household's eligibility for utility assistance as follows: A household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty line; A household income at or below 80% of the area median income; or A household income that meets the income eligibility criteria that the department sets by rule. Section 3 also clarifies that the commission may approve a year-round utility preference or advantage given to income-eligible customers. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

Votes