A deadlocked Public Utility Commission earlier this month ensured utility companies could move forward with terminations starting April 1, potentially leaving low-income workers and students. San Francisco, CA 94102, Utility Business Continuity Plans and PSPS Preparation, CPUC Mobilizes Community Based Organizations for Pilot Program To Help Consumers With Utility Debt, CPUC Executive Director Letter Concerning Extension of Moratorium on Disconnection for Non-Payment and Fees for Late Payment for Voice Service Through February 15, 2022, CPUC Acts To Ensure Essential Utility Services for Consumers at Risk of Disconnections, CPUC Actions to Protect Customers During the COVID-19 Pandemic; Utility Disconnection Moratoria and Arrearage Management - Presentation at CPUC Voting Meeting, CPUC Executive Director Letter Extending Moratorium on Disconnection for Non-Payment and Fees for Late Payment for Voice Service through September 30, 2021, CPUC Provides Relief for Customers Who Have Energy Bill Debt, https://liob.cpuc.ca.gov/m-4849-utility-transition-plans/, Executive Director Letter to IOUs on Direction to Conduct Customer Data Validation for Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Executive Director Letter Extending Moratorium on Disconnection for Non-Payment and Fees for Late Payment for Voice Service (Resolution M-4848) Through July 15, 2021, CPUC Extends Emergency Utility Customer Protections and Takes Further Action To Address Energy Arrearages During COVID-19, California Cable & Telecommunications Association, CPUC Implements Consumer Protections to Assist Residential and Small Business Customers, Workshop on COVID-19 Impacts on Customers in the Energy Sector, President Batjer Letter to AT&T regarding Legacy DSL Services Retirement, CPUC Letter to ISPs re: Affordable Broadband Plan Subscription Information, Remarks on COVID-19 Actions from Energy Division Deputy Executive Director, CPUC Letter to Program Administrators on Guidance on Energy Efficiency and Energy Savings Assistance Program Suspensions, CPUC Issues Proposal for Additional Customer Protections Due to Non-Payment, CPUC Letter to ISPs on Affordable Broadband Plans to Support Customers Affected by the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Cities like Madison and progressive groups have urged the commission to extend its moratorium on utility disconnections, arguing people can't stay safe or thrive without service. Those figures were roughly the same in April 2018. Pa. utility shut-off notice: Here's what you can do if you're at risk. June 30, 2021: Emergency Customer Protections expire. For more information about which programs you may be eligible for, use DCA's screening tool. For more information, visit:https://www.dhs.pa.gov/coronavirus/Pages/Emergency-Rental-Assistance-Program.aspx, More:Fully vaccinated Pennsylvanians can gather without masks, but only in these situations, More:COVID-19 vaccine motivation: Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts for showing vaccination card. Also ask your electric or gas utility if you qualify for an arrearage forgiveness program or any other payment assistance program. Try now to get LIHEAP funds, Dollar Energy Fund help or emergency assistance, they said. *Note:This combined total for New York City and California is likely a conservative estimate. For more information, see Utilities and Landlord/Tenant Issues. The commissioners did not heed that call. In addition, 2020 collection reports for the individual Electric Distribution Companies (EDC) and Gas Distribution Companies (GDC) are available via NJBPU's Public Document Searchtool. 2023 www.goerie.com. concerned about the health and safety of themselves and their loved Medical Information from healthcare professionals on symptoms, when to seek medical attention, and proper steps to take if exposed to COVID-19. For additional FAQs about NJBPU's processes during the COVID-19 statewide response, click here. 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. You can check outcurrent and historic basic service rates here. The AGO issued a 2018reportand2019 update,and2021 updatethat found that Massachusetts customers typically lost money on competitive electric supply. California utilities commission extends moratorium on power shutoffs "I asked a neighbor if I could plug in an extension cord to my refrigerator, just to keep it cold so I don't lose my groceries," she said. Kathy Hochul announced the vast majority of $567 million dedicated to help low-income electric and gas utility customers pay off past utility bills will be reflected on customers' August bills. The commission, known as the CPUC for short, extended the moratorium earlier this year but it was set to run out June 30. For resources and updates about New Jerseys response to COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 Information Hub. Auth. VIDEO: State regulators considering banning all electricity cutoffs for non-payment until next April. update email soon. The state Department of Human Services has worked with counties to make available the money in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the $270 million infusion to LIHEAP from the federal American Relief Plan. Many customers financial situations have changed during the pandemic. The New Jersey moratorium on gas and electric companies shutting off service due to non-payment during the coronavirus pandemic is set to expire at the end of the year and the state has sent . NEW! CAPP dedicates $1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to address Californian's energy debts. The actions are in response to customers who are unable to pay their utility bills during the COVID-19 economic crisis. Shutoffs were allowed to resume Nov. 9 for some nonpaying customers, but existing commissionguidelines protected customers with income less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For additional help, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has a variety of programs that can help with energy bills, water and sewer bills, rent costs, eviction prevention, and more. Unpaid utility bills? California will pay off $2 billion - CalMatters travels to Asia to strengthen business ties, How major US stock indexes fared Friday 3/3/2023, There is nothing warm and welcoming about it. San Diegos cruise ship terminal will get first makeover in 40 years, How to get your security deposit back in San Diego, Rapid reversal of price growth: San Diego home prices declining more quickly than other cities, San Diego rent increases are slowing. The policy should provide clear criteria for allowing the debt to be written off and should apply to all types of accounts receivable (water, sewer, garbage, court fines, and other fees and charges that the utility may impose). Help with Utilities | Texas Law Help If you qualify as income eligible, there are several programs, including: (1) Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally-funded program that helps Massachusetts residents pay their heating bills; (2) the low-income discount rate program for investor-owned electric and gas utility customers; and (3) arrearage management programs (AMPs) for investor-owned electric and gas utility customers. In such circumstances, a lien may be filed for all charges due during the period covered by the declaration and may be effective for six months after the expiration of the declaration of the emergency. A lock icon ( coronavirus State regulators on Tuesday extended protections against utility cutoffs for people who cant pay through April 30, 2021. Maintaining access to water and other essential utility services remains as vital as ever to safeguard public health, as the pandemic continues. However, the question remains as to what actions local utilities can take to collect past-due amounts. 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. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. 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. But if you are falling behind on utilities, get help as soon as possible so you are not shut off. Other CPUC Actions Based on the plain language of the proclamations this is how we think they affect the utilities once the prohibitions expire. 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. you should file a complaint with the Department of Public Utilities, current and historic basic service rates here, Frequently Asked Questions about Water Utilities During COVID-19, Contact the Attorney General's Office at (617) 727-2200. The proclamations required these utilities to developCOVID-19 customer support programsthat would address payment plan options for residential customers who are in arrears due to COVID-19-related circumstances. Aug. 13, 2020, at 12:14 p.m. Bills to Stop Paying During Coronavirus. The policy should consider the variables for each type of receivable with specific criteria and internal controls in place to assure that the utilitys assets (receivables) are being safeguarded. "I guess the first day he could file for eviction, he did it," she told us after receiving an eviction notice. Nowak has previously urged the commission to work with the Evers administration to provide assistance to water customers in need through CARES Act funding. 8, even as sewage contamination led to closures for 35 days last year. With clear criteria, the governing body can delegate the authority to write-off the debt to staff without further involvement from the governing body. Please let us know how we can improve this page. June 17, 2020: The CPUC presented its COVID-19 response. Take steps to reduce your overall energy usage this winter, which should in turn help you lower your utility bill. Consider solar energy to reduce electricity usage. However, you may want to stay with your community choice program this winter because many cities and towns currently have electricity rates that are lower than the rate available from the electric company. Tripadvisor picks two for top 10 in U.S. San Diego airport gets $20M federal infrastructure grant to help Terminal 1 remodel, Boeing CEO loses $7M bonus, keeps $22.5 million compensation, Louisiana Gov. Some page levels are currently hidden. Utilities will be able to shut off services for people behind on bills Some utilities stated they have been helping customers. Anyone facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to . If your household income is 60% or less of the state median income, you are eligible for LIHEAP. 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. Those balances amounted to $235.7 million. Plus, more than half the amount owed comes from customers not enrolled in assistance programs that help defray utility bills. Puget Sound Energy reported giving $7.6 million in bill credits to nearly 14,000 customers. The Wolf Administration is working to get money provided by the December stimulus package and the American Rescue Plan in March out to qualifying renters and utility customers as quickly as possible to help with overdue balances, the governors press secretary Lyndsay Kensinger said. Massachusetts consumers should also take steps to avoid an automatic renewal of their supply contract. No, your landlord cannot shut off your utilities. The AGO strongly urges any Massachusetts consumer who considers signing up with a competitive supplier to read the AGOs FAQs on electric supply options here. Texas regulators vote to ban residential utility shut-offs during pandemic while buoying companies The Texas Public Utility Commission approved an order Thursday that would ban. Visithereor the Cold Relief Heatline at (800) 632-8175 to find your local community action agency where you can apply for LIHEAP. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and renters pay for utility and heating bills. Further, the prohibitions on disconnecting or refusing to reconnect these services was limited by the language of the proclamations to residential service, but the prohibition on charging late fees did not include that limitation. Most of the assistance is provided through new, emergency programs, although some is provided through pre-existing programs. The utility reported to the commission that 495 out of its roughly 3,000 customers would be eligible for disconnection. March 1 2023, Changes for 2022 Annual Reporting for Cash Basis Entities "I just want some time to get my money," she said. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. March 27, 2020: Joint Letters to IOUs re: Essential Wildfire and PSPS Mitigation Work, March 20, 2020: Business Continuity and COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Response Plans. You, or someone in your home, is seriously ill; You have an infant under 12 months in your home; and, All adults in the home are age 65 or older, Customers who are interested in installing solar panels or enrolling with community solar programs should visit the AGs Office FAQ with consumer tips at, This chart from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), In addition to requesting assistance from your electric or gas utility, residential customers should also contact their local community action agency, as there may be funds available to assist households who earn more than 60 % of the state median income, but still need assistance paying their bills. Thursdays 5-0 vote extends the moratorium through the end of September for both residential and small-business customers. 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. Suggestions are presented as an open option list only when they are available. CPUC response letter that delays an already scheduled natural gas rate increase for Southern California Gas Company and SDG&E small business customers for 120 days to help reduce natural gas bills during the crisis. Coronavirus in SC: Utilities stop shutoffs of water, power - The State A deadlocked Public Utility Commission earlier this month ensured utility companies could move forward with terminations starting April 1, potentially leaving low-income workers and students without a way to connect to their jobs or schools. John Fetterman, a progressive who is running for U.S. Senate in 2022, said utility companies should be cooperative and understanding with Pennsylvanians in need. COVID-19 - California Public Utilities Commission LIHEAP is available this winter heating season from November 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney, For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. Receive MRSC's latest articles and analysis through our Weekly Insights e-newsletter. The electric utilities are responsible for operating their systems, including the decision to conduct a Public Safety Power Shutoff as a last resort. If you are a small business customer that receives electric or gas service through a municipal utility, call your municipal utility to see what programs they offer to help avoid disconnection. We will In addition to your utility, you can contact the Department of Public Utilitiesat877-886-5066, or completetheir online complaint form. When the state reopened in mid-June, Newsom quietly extended the moratorium on water shutoffs to Sept. 30. Most Massachusetts investor-owned electric and gas utility companies offer deferred payment arrangements which allow the customer to set up a customized, manageable payment plan. The proclamations also did not prohibit any utility from disconnecting water, power, or telecommunications service if the customer does not comply with the terms of a payment plan. Frequently Asked Questions about Electric and Gas Utilities Gavin Newsom went into effect in March 2020, the utilities commission announced power companies could not disconnect services to customers for one year. 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.. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted 2 to 1 to ban all utility disconnections until next April. California Public Utilities Commission Small business customers may also qualify for payment plans that include arrearage forgiveness. The bill also extends the time for cities and counties to impose a sewage lien: A sewage lien may exceed six months' delinquent charges without the necessity of any writing or recording if collection of charges was impacted by the declaration of an emergency by the governor. Have a problem?Send me an email, at jmatarese@wcpo.com or message me on Facebook. 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. of Cty. N.J. again extends ban on utilities shutting off power, gas, water to MRSC has consolidated additional information in the Utility Collection Deferrals, Shutoffs, and Payment Plans section of our COVID-19 Small Business and Tenant Assistance Programs webpage. According to research at Indiana University that looked at a nationally representative sample of households below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, 20% of Black households and 28% of Hispanic households reported being unable to pay an energy bill between June and August 2020, compared to just 12% of white households. For more information on community choice electric plans, also known as municipal aggregations, visit this website maintained by the Department of Public Utilities here. April 23, 2020: CPUC held a workshop on Impacts of COVID-19 on Customer-Oriented Clean Energy Program. If you are unsure whether the supplier on your bill is part of a community choice electric plan, call or check your city or towns website to find out. Global travelers on Tripadvisor platform rank Coronado No. Nearly one-third of residential customers among the state's five largest utilities had past-due bills as of August, according to data provided to the commission. Call your electric or gas utility immediately to enroll. Customers should make payments toward their utility bills if they can. The move comes after S.C. Gov. Earlier this month, Gov. 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. Details wont be finalized until the governor approves the budget and the commission will take the $1 billion payments into consideration in a later proceeding. Moratoriums on electric shutoffs now expiring, Despite the continuing pandemic, Duke and other utilities are now disconnecting customers falling behind, as state moratoriums expire. The PUC approved a motion that will allow customers to set up payment plans with their utility companies that could extend for five years for low-income families and at least 18 months for small businesses. The fact sheet describes what is currently known of the program and will be updated as HHS releases more information. Meanwhile, utility customers have amassed large, unpaid bills, as a majority of the state has been working from home and using more energy. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, A map from the National Association of Utility Regulators (NARUC). Steve Gross joined MRSC as a Legal Consultant in January 2020. Moratoriums on disconnects expiring across the US. Consumer advocates and those who manage programs to assist customers, such as the Dollar Energy Fund, are warning those facing shutoff notices to not wait until the last minute to get help. The financial impact of the pandemic has been devastating for many in our community and helping our customers by providing flexible payment options and access to bill assistance resources has been a priority for us, Prince said in an email. Tom Wolf, who opposes lifting the moratorium. We offered specific program design recommendations to deliver assistance to those with the greatest need; maximize public health benefits by using program funds to protect access to essential water service; ensure accountability for program spending by states and utilities; and generate data to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and determine how to improve upon it. In addition to requesting assistance from your electric or gas utility, residential customers should also contact their local community action agency, as there may be funds available to assist households who earn more than 60 % of the state median income, but still need assistance paying their bills. 246; https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562021/approved/20211222a.shtml; https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/reports/covid19/Moratorium_Ending_FAQs_061421.pdf. This partnership was previously. If you need assistance, please Contact the Attorney General's Office at (617) 727-2200. The White House is proposing to spend $5 billion to cover home energy and water. Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. By comparison, about 12 percent of customers had past-due balances in April 2019, amounting to $184million. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. SDG&E spokeswoman Sara Prince said the utility supports the CPUCs moves. keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. Whats your favorite San Diego County beach? Plus, if they wish to accelerate or make larger payments, they may do so. Six utilities serving more than 21 million Californians have announced that they will not shut off customers' power for non-payment as the coronavirus continues to disrupt daily life. In addition, any Massachusetts consumer who signs a contract with a competitive supplier should actively monitor their electric supply costs each month to ensure the rate that the supplier charges them is the same rate that was agreed to under the contract. Maybe. Lake Washington Sewer & Water Dist., 784 P.2d 1284 (Wash. Ct. App. Between November 15th and March 15th, residential customers are protected from utility shut off if the utility service is needed to heat your home and you receive service from an investor-owned utility, such as Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, Liberty Utilities, or Berkshire Gas. To leave anyone, especially children who rely on utilities to attend virtual school, without electricity or heat is unconscionable when these companies have guaranteed income and millions in revenue.. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, https://www.dhs.pa.gov/coronavirus/Pages/Emergency-Rental-Assistance-Program.aspx, Fully vaccinated Pennsylvanians can gather without masks, but only in these situations, COVID-19 vaccine motivation: Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts for showing vaccination card, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. It allowed utilities to resume shutoffs on Nov. 9 but the ban was lifted for only three weeks before the annual winter shut-off went into effect on Dec. 1.
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