55:19-106 Findings, declarations relative to discontinuation of certain utility service from abandoned properties.

1. The Legislature finds and declares that:

a. Abandoned properties raise significant concerns for communities where they are located, including fostering criminal activity, posing possible public health problems and generally posing a risk to the quality of life for residents and businesses in the area.

b. Under current law and tariffs approved under Board of Public Utilities regulations, customers of electric and natural gas utilities are required to provide reasonable access at all reasonable times to such utilities for the purpose of inspection of the customers' premises incident to the rendering of service, reading meters or the repairing of utility facilities used in connection with supplying service or for the removal of utility property.

c. Public utilities are bound by law to provide safe, adequate and proper service and must be able to periodically inspect the customers' premises incident to rendering service, read meters, repair utility facilities or remove utility property.

d. As a result of certain properties being abandoned or vacant, electric and natural gas utilities are denied the reasonable access to their facilities provided for by law and this impacts the ability to provide safe, adequate and proper service.

e. The Legislature therefore determines that in the interest of the public safety of our communities, any electric and natural gas utility should be granted access to abandoned or vacant properties in order to inspect, repair and remove its facilities or property.

L.2006, c.24,s.1.