SECTION 1. Section 1J of said chapter 164, as so appearing is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following paragraph:-

The department shall also establish regulations to create a credit of not less than $25.00 to be awarded to each ratepayer, whereupon such electric utility fails to restore service as follows: a) within 120 hours after an interruption due to catastrophic conditions; b) within 16 hours after an interruption that occurred during normal conditions; and c) where there are more than 7 service interruptions in a 12-month period due to same circuit repetitive interruption.  The department may establish varying amounts of the credit dependent on the class of ratepayer. The credit shall be paid for in its entirety by the ratepayer’s electric utility. The department shall provide for a waiver and exception process to the awarding of the credit. The department shall review the amount of the credit on an annual basis. The credit shall be implemented notwithstanding the maximum penalty amount in the preceding paragraph.