You can get paid back for spoiled food after a widespread, days-long outage

If you get gas or electric service from an investor-owned utility covered by this law, you become eligible when a qualifying widespread outage lasts 72 hours. The Public Service Commission defines that as at least 20,000 electric customers or 1,500 gas customers of one utility out at once, with someone still out at 72 hours because of utility-owned equipment. Municipal utilities and LIPA are not covered by the statute.

Residential customers get an automatic $25 bill credit for each full 24 hours after the first 72, so the first credit is due at 96 hours. A household can claim up to $235 for spoiled food with an itemized list, or $540 with proof of loss. Perishable prescription medicine is covered up to the actual loss with a list and proof. Qualifying small businesses can claim up to $540 for food, but not the $25 credit or medicine. For a gas-only outage, spoilage claims require proof of gas-powered refrigeration. Claims are due within 14 days after the 72-hour mark. Utilities normally have 30 days to pay; a waiver request can delay or excuse payment.

Sen. Leroy Comrie and Assemblymember Amy Paulin carried the bill after Tropical Storm Isaias left hundreds of thousands without power, some for more than a week. The credits and reimbursements cannot be charged back to ratepayers. The same law also requires electric utilities to file climate resilience plans. The Senate passed it 48–15, with five Republicans joining every Democrat; the Assembly passed it 125–24. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed it Dec. 22, 2021.