Kentucky’s top lawyer is pressing for passage of new protections for utility customers.
Attorney General Andy Beshear joined Democratic lawmakers Monday to make the case for added consumer protections aimed at shielding utility customers from bills Rep. Angie Hatton described as “shocking.”
"You hear stories about families who have shut off every room except one. They're trying to heat that," the Whitesburg Democrat said during a press conference.
If passed, the legislation would limit fixed customer charges to costs associated with metering, service connections, and customer service, require all riders and surcharges to be included in the base rate, and mandate operations audits every five years beginning in 2021.
"We believe these provisions would help keep utility bills as low as possible and make sure that all Kentucky families receive their energy at a reasonable and fair price," Beshear said.
Language in the bill would add “affordability” to the factors the Public Service Commission should take into account in rate cases.
