--- kind: "section" citation: "16 U.S.C. § 2623" title: "16" title_heading: "Conservation" number: "2623" heading: "Adoption of certain standards" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/2623" units: - "Chapter 46 — Public Utility Regulatory Policies" - "Subchapter II — Standards for Electric Utilities" --- # §2623. Adoption of certain standards - (a) **Adoption of standards—** Not later than two years after November 9, 1978, each [State regulatory authority](/usc/16/2602.md?p=17) (with respect to each [electric utility](/usc/16/2602.md?p=4) for which it has [ratemaking authority](/usc/16/2602.md?p=11)), and each [nonregulated electric utility](/usc/16/2602.md?p=9), shall provide public notice and conduct a hearing respecting the standards established by [subsection (b)](#b) and, on the basis of such hearing, shall— - (1) adopt the standards established by [subsection (b)](#b) (other than [paragraph (4)](#b-4) thereof) if, and to the extent, such authority or [nonregulated electric utility](/usc/16/2602.md?p=9) determines that such adoption is appropriate to carry out the purposes of this chapter, is otherwise appropriate, and is consistent with otherwise applicable [State](/usc/16/2602.md?p=15) law, and - (2) adopt the standard established by [subsection (b)(4)](#b-4) if, and to the extent, such authority or [nonregulated electric utility](/usc/16/2602.md?p=9) determines that such adoption is appropriate and consistent with otherwise applicable [State](/usc/16/2602.md?p=15) law. For purposes of any determination under paragraphs [(1)](#a-1) or [(2)](#a-2) and any review of such determination in any court in accordance with [section 2633 of this title](/usc/16/2633.md), the purposes of this chapter supplement otherwise applicable [State](/usc/16/2602.md?p=15) law. Nothing in this subsection prohibits any [State regulatory authority](/usc/16/2602.md?p=17) or [nonregulated electric utility](/usc/16/2602.md?p=9) from making any determination that it is not appropriate to adopt any such standard, pursuant to its authority under otherwise applicable [State](/usc/16/2602.md?p=15) law. - (b) **Establishment—** The following Federal standards are hereby established: - (1) **Master metering—** To the extent determined appropriate under [section 2625(d) of this title](/usc/16/2625.md?p=d), master metering of electric service in the case of new buildings shall be prohibited or restricted to the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. - (2) **Automatic adjustment clauses—** No [electric utility](/usc/16/2602.md?p=4) may increase any [rate](/usc/16/2602.md?p=10) pursuant to an automatic adjustment clause unless such clause meets the requirements of [section 2625(e) of this title](/usc/16/2625.md?p=e). - (3) **Information to consumers—** Each [electric utility](/usc/16/2602.md?p=4) shall transmit to each of its [electric consumers](/usc/16/2602.md?p=5) information regarding [rate schedules](/usc/16/2602.md?p=12) in accordance with the requirements of [section 2625(f) of this title](/usc/16/2625.md?p=f). - (4) **Procedures for termination of electric service—** No [electric utility](/usc/16/2602.md?p=4) may terminate electric service to any [electric consumer](/usc/16/2602.md?p=5) except pursuant to procedures described in [section 2625(g) of this title](/usc/16/2625.md?p=g). - (5) **Advertising—** No [electric utility](/usc/16/2602.md?p=4) may recover from any [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) other than the shareholders (or other [owners](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4)) of such utility any direct or indirect expenditure by such utility for promotional or political advertising as defined in [section 2625(h) of this title](/usc/16/2625.md?p=h). - (c) **Procedural requirements—** Each [State regulatory authority](/usc/16/2602.md?p=17) (with respect to each [electric utility](/usc/16/2602.md?p=4) for which it has [ratemaking authority](/usc/16/2602.md?p=11)) and each [nonregulated electric utility](/usc/16/2602.md?p=9), within the two-year period specified in [subsection (a)](#a), shall (1) adopt, pursuant to [subsection (a)](#a), each of the standards established by [subsection (b)](#b) or, (2) with respect to any such standard which is not adopted, such authority or [nonregulated electric utility](/usc/16/2602.md?p=9) shall [state](/usc/16/2602.md?p=15) in writing that it has determined not to adopt such standard, together with the reasons for such determination. Such statement of reasons shall be available to the public. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 95–617, title I, § 113, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3123.) ## Notes ### Editorial Notes ### References in Text This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (b), was in the original “this title”, meaning title I (§ 101 et seq.) of Pub. L. 95–617, Nov. 9, 1978, 92 Stat. 3120, which enacted subchapters I to IV of this chapter and section 6808 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, and amended sections 6802 to 6807 of Title 42. For complete classification of title I to the Code, see Tables.