What the Governor’s Talking about
Today
Wednesday, July 21,
2010
Governor Signs
Legislation to Prevent Energy Theft
The governor today signed legislation designed to
prevent energy theft through meter tampering and protect utility employees and
contractors. The bipartisan package of bills aims to decrease unauthorized
electric and natural gas utility service connections as well as protect
consumers from increased costs related to energy theft.
The
legislation requires utility companies to use best practices to address unsafe
connections caused by the unauthorized use of electric or natural gas service
and allows them to take steps to deter future unauthorized use. It also
makes it a crime for any person to sell or transfer electricity or natural gas
to another person, knowing or having reason to know that the product or service
was obtained unlawfully.
Additionally, the legislation sets penalties for the
assault of a public utility worker or contractor who is performing his or her
duties on the job. The offenses range from a misdemeanor to a felony
punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years and a $10,000 fine for a worker’s
death.
Unauthorized connections and meter tampering can cause
serious safety problems resulting in fires, explosions, electrocution injuries
or even death. These illegal connections endanger the person making the
wrongful connection and nearby persons and utility
workers.
The bill package includes Senate Bill 1310, sponsored by
Senator Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit); Senate Bill 1311, sponsored by Senator Buzz
Thomas (D-Detroit); Senate Bill 1312, sponsored by Senator Dennis Olshove
(D-Warren); Senate Bill 1313, sponsored by Senator Irma Clark-Coleman
(D-Detroit); and Senate Bill 1314, sponsored by Senator Mike Nofs (R-Battle
Creek).
Key
message:
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