§ 39-26.7-4. Consumer information requirements. (a) On or before September 1, 2016, the division shall initiate a docket to redesign the standard billing format for residential customers to better enable such residential customers to compare pricing policies and charges of nonregulated power producers to the standard-offer service rate. The division shall issue a final decision or rules in such docket not later than six (6) months after its initiation.

(b) In addition to all information required by §§ 39-3-37.2 and 39-3-37.3, the rules shall provide for the bill to include a standard-offer service price to compare with the date of the next expected standard-offer rate change and the date by which a customer's nonregulated power producer must initiate the transfer of service in order for the transfer to be complete by the next meter read date. If the standard-offer service rate is ever a variable or time-of-use rate, the division shall prescribe the manner in which the price to compare will be represented.

(c) On or before September 1, 2021, and every five (5) years thereafter, the division shall reopen such docket to ensure the standard billing format continues to meet the requirements of this section.

(d) The division shall facilitate the creation of an internet website that shall provide information necessary for a consumer to obtain service and compare pricing policies and charges among nonregulated power producers. This website may be maintained by a third party chosen through a competitive solicitation or through the Rhode Island government website, also known as "ri.gov" or its successor, and the cost of such website shall be funded through an assessment on any obligated entity, as such term is defined in § 39-26-2, but excluding electric-distribution companies, in a manner governed by division regulation.

(e) On or before July 1, 2019, and every two (2) years thereafter, the division shall review the internet website and make any improvements to ensure such internet website remains a useful tool for customers to compare pricing policies and charges among nonregulated power producers.

(f) The nonregulated power producer shall make available to the division, and the provider of the internet website facilitated by the division, information required by the division on a schedule to be determined by the division.

History of Section. (P.L. 2016, ch. 453, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 454, § 1.)