Requires utilities to reimburse customer losses due to power outages

HB 2046 requires investor-owned electric utilities in Missouri to reimburse customers and local governments for actual damages caused by specific power outages. If more than 0.8% of a utility’s customers experience a 4+ hour outage with less than 50% voltage or total power loss, or a damaging power surge, the utility must pay for direct losses like spoiled food but excludes indirect costs. Local governments affected by the outage can also be reimbursed for emergency expenses. Utilities can seek a waiver from the Public Service Commission if the outage resulted from unavoidable events like severe weather, customer tampering, or third-party damage, but they cannot recover these costs from customers through rate increases.