The grace period for residential cable and internet for customers with school-aged children ended on December 31, 2021. COVID-19 - California Public Utilities Commission PG&E is submitting separate biweekly corrective action progress reports that can be found on the docket card of the CPUCs Public Safety Power Shutoffrulemaking. A recent report by Duke University researchers found that, if utility disconnections had been barred nationwide from March through November 2020, COVID-19 infections rates could have been reduced by 8.7% and deaths by 14.8%. You should also closely review your electric and gas utility bills to determine whether you are buying your electric or gas supply from your utility or from another entity, often called a competitive supplier. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and Even without the moratorium on shutoffs, most utility companies have been generous this year. The actions are in response to customers who are unable to pay their utility bills during the COVID-19 economic crisis. NRDC and NCLC have submitted recommendations to HHS on how to implement LIHWAP equitably and efficiently. Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Preparation Plans NEW! Electricity and Gas are essential servicesthats why it is important that customers know their rights and where they can go for help if they need it. "I'm charging my cell phone in my truck when I can. 8, even as sewage contamination led to closures for 35 days last year. Unpaid utility bills? California will pay off $2 billion - CalMatters There is no similar prohibition for sewer or storm water services. If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. The Biden Administration and Congress have not acted on urgent calls to ban water shutoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. HARRISBURGThe moratorium on utility shutoffs expires at the end of the month, leaving more than 1 million Pennsylvania households at risk of losing their electricity, gas, water and telephone service. By February 25, 2021, IOUs shall submit drafts of Transition Plan Advice Letters to CPUC staff (, Jan. 22, 2021: Comments on Draft Resolution M-4849. Remember that for city-owned utilities,RCW 35.67.210 and RCW 35.67.215 apply to sewage liens. The Governor's Executive Order establishes a six-month grace period in which no residential customer will face disconnection of their gas, electric, or water services before the end of the grace period on December 31, 2021. Energy utilities will apply for CAPP assistance on behalf of customers who incurred a past due balance of 60 days or more on their energy bill during the COVID-19 pandemic relief period covering March 4, 2020 through June 15, 2021. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Try now to get LIHEAP funds, Dollar Energy Fund help or emergency assistance, they said. Income eligibility is evaluated based on your gross household income for the past 4 weeks. The risk of disconnection disproportionately harms communities of color. A lock icon ( Energy utilities will apply for CAPP assistance on behalf of customers who incurred a past due balance of 60 days or more on their energy bill during the COVID-19 pandemic relief period covering March 4, 2020 through June 15, 2021. Are we in violation of a law if we do not have a location that is open to the public to serve? Thursdays 5-0 vote extends the moratorium through the end of September for both residential and small-business customers. Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. These funds can help millions keep their water running and dig out from a mountain of utility debt, while helping utilities offset decreased revenue without raising rates. The move comes after S.C. Gov. This blog is co-authored by Larry Levine (NRDC) and Olivia Wein (National Consumer Law Center). The CPUCs oversight consists of ensuring that the utilities are clear about the rules they must adhere to, monitoring the utilities preparation, and evaluating their implementation. Southern California Edison Public Safety Power Shutoffs Webpage, San Diego Gas & Electric Public Safety Power Shutoffs Webpage, Bear Valley Electric Service Public Safety Power Shutoffs Webpage, Liberty Utilities Wildfire Mitigation Page, PacifiCorp California Public Safety Power Shutoffs Webpage, The Governors Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response website for small businesses. Steve has worked in municipal law and government for over 20 years as an Assistant City Attorney for Lynnwood, Seattle, Tacoma, and Auburn, and as the City Attorney for Port Townsend and Auburn. As past-due balances grow, the commission is asking gas, electric and water utilities to submit comprehensive plans for dealing with delinquent bills by Jan. 15. These programs are voluntary, and you can opt out at any time. The AGO encourages you to contact your electric or gas utility if the recent COVID-19 crisis has significantly impacted your household income because you may be newly eligible for other assistance programs. She also noted that the 9,500 customers represented the number of meters that would be shut off, and that more people whoresided in any of those households were also at risk of losing service. Moratoriums on disconnects expiring across the US. If you received a shut-off notice from your electric or gas utility, call your utility immediately and ask to enroll in a payment plan. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All told, some $1.33 billion in past-due bills have piled up statewide. The number of people affected is alarming, according to a letter sent to the commission from Gov. * Unsurprisingly, when California examined its statewide data, low-income communities of color had disproportionately high levels of household water debt. The Public Service Commission voted unanimously Thursday to end the moratorium. SoCalGas Request for Extension of Time to Comply with Ordering Paragraphs of Triennial Cost Allocation Proceeding for Small Business Customers in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, CPUC Works to Help Mitigate Higher Energy Bills Utility Customers May Receive Due to Shelter at Home, CPUC Letter to TNCs on COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Response Plans, CPUC Letter to All County Executive Officers re: Essential Wildfire and PSPS Mitigation Work, CPUC Letter to Class C, D Water and Sewer Utilities on Emergency Customer Protections to Support Customers Affected by the COVID-19 State of Emergency, Executive Director's Letter to Wireless Providers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), SDG&E Directive to Provide Information on Planned Service Interruptions, SCE Directive to Provide Information on Planned Service Interruptions, PG&E Directive to Provide Information on Planned Service Interruptions, Executive Director's Letter to Energy Companies, Executive Director's Letter to Water Companies, Executive Director's Letter to Communications Companies, Executive Director's Letter to Rail Companies, CPUC Suspends Renewal Requirements for Low Income Energy and Telco Programs to Assist Customers During COVID-19 Epidemic, Practitioner Alert: COVID-19 Temporary Filing and Service Protocol, CPUC Public Meetings During COVID-19 Pandemic, Executive Directors Letter to Energy Companies, Executive Directors Letter to Water Companies, Executive Directors Letter to Communications Companies, Draft Resolution Ratifying the Executive Directors March 17 Letter; will be on April 16 Voting Meeting Agenda, Cancelled - CPUC Public Forums on SCE Rate Requests, 2020 Wildfire Mitigation and PSPS Preparation, 2020 Wildfire Mitigation and PSPS Preparation Presentation, Utility Consumer Protections During California COVID-19 Outbreak. A federal program can help. In this post, well focus on what effect (if any) the proclamations have on your existing collections process. For water-sewer districts considering rate forgiveness,RCW 57.08.014requires the district to notify all ratepayers of the special rates and any associated cost shifts. California Public Utilities Commission Suggestions are presented as an open option list only when they are available. May 7, 2020: The CPUC temporarily modified rates for high energy use customers to minimize the impacts of electricity bills in the summer related to the COVID-19 pandemic. And the amount of unpaid bills had increased 67% since 2019 to $1 billion in February. Commissioners said utility companies may forgive a portion of the debt for low-income customers who stay current on their payments. Category: Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves said the regulator is trying to be responsive to this really dynamic situation that were in, in recovering from this pandemic.. coronavirus State regulators on Tuesday extended protections against utility cutoffs for people who can't pay through April 30, 2021. according to data provided to the commission, Wisconsin utility regulators discontinue remaining COVID-19 protections for customers, Two of Wisconsin's largest utilities reach deal with groups as they seek to raise rates next year, Utility regulators want state's energy efficiency program to play a larger role in cutting emissions, COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in Wisconsin, Latest COVID-19 data shows hospitalization, death rates low, infection rates up among vaccinated, Lawyer who oversaw Trump elector scheme in Wisconsin reappointed to judicial advisory panel, Court orders Green Bay to stop using audio devices while lawsuit plays out, UW System President Jay Rothman to seek in-state tuition increase, Capital budget would offload 4 state office buildings, From 'Magic the Gathering' to computer coding manuals, these are the books banned in Wisconsin prisons, Landowners sue Lac du Flambeau tribal leaders to reopen roads blocked for a month, Wisconsin natives aged gouda is 'best cheese' in America, contest says, As budget negotiations begin, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos downplays Wisconsin's surplus, Federal lawsuit challenging Eau Claire schools transgender policy dismissed, Wisconsin Educational Communications Board. Can a power company turn off power? 505 Van Ness Avenue Utilities have argued an extension would make it more likely customers would fall further behind on their bills, which could result in utilities passing on those losses to all ratepayers. In the first quarter of this year, more than 3.3 million residential customers of the states big four utilities have fallen behind on their bills: Applying SDG&Es figure to its overall residential customer total of about 1.326 million, that means 36.6 percent of SDG&E residential customers are in arrears. That guidance was incorporated into Proclamation 20-23.6 to help utilities create their own programs. HEAP Energy Assistance NYC311 - Government of New York City A map from the National Association of Utility Regulators (NARUC) shows there are now 38 states where the moratorium on shutoffs has expired or is voluntary for utility companies. Customers should consider the following: Replaced outdated light bulbs with ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program payments were down 40% compared to the previous year, according to PUC data. Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted 2 to 1 to ban all utility disconnections until next April. Customers should make payments toward their utility bills if they can. But in cities and towns all around the country in Texas, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Illinois, and more utilities have resumed cutting off water when people cant afford to pay. 229; Executive Order No. of King v. Ne. However, if a customer misses more than two payments in their COVID-19 relief plan, they can be kicked out of the plan. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. If you are a residential customer struggling to pay your utility bills, behind on your payments, or interested in more regular payments, reach out to your electric or gas utility to discuss available payment plans and payment assistance programs that may be available. Coronavirus in SC: Utilities stop shutoffs of water, power - The State Can it be done by appointment? Digging Into Public Works In-person regional forums and training resources for public works staff and local contractors. Use this button to show and access all levels. Southern states are more frequently turning to pay-to-use express lanes as a way to address highway congestion without raising taxes. Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps"). concerned about the health and safety of themselves and their loved CAPP dedicates $1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to address Californian's energy debts. Do we have to have a location open during this time to accept papers? Global travelers on Tripadvisor platform rank Coronado No. At least one of those states (Wisconsin) is set to end its moratorium on April 15, placing over 20,000 households at risk of shutoff. , Candy Woodall is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania Capital Bureau. Utilities will be able to shut off services for people behind on bills Don't fall behind on your bills or you may find yourself in the dark.__________________________. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
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