LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A bill restructuring the relationship between electric utilities and the Public Service Commission, and ultimately ratepayers, passed in the House on Tuesday afternoon.
Senate Bill 307 will allow utilities to charge for the construction of new projects while they are underway instead of the current model of not charging ratepayers until the project is completed. The Public Service Commission retains its ability to review and approve rates.
It passed the House on a 71 – 12 vote with nine voting present.
Arkansas Public Service Commission submits proposed changes to Arkansas utilities legislation
Proponents of the bill said this change would lead to incremental changes to utility bills instead of the sticker shock of a sudden jump in rates at the end of a project…