Editor's note: This blog has been updated to remove references tostate guidance related to the creation of COVID-19 customer support programs. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, state and local governments have barred utility companies from shutting off services such as gas, electric and water. The risk of disconnection disproportionately harms communities of color. South Carolina utilities will stop cutting service to customers with unpaid bills during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Inflation and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine are driving up fossil fuel prices and in turn energy rates for customers across the country this winter. The more you pay now the less you will have to make up later. 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. For more information, see Utilities and Landlord/Tenant Issues. 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. If your household income is between 60 to 80% of the state median income, you may be able to receive help from theGood Neighbor Energy Fund. You can check outcurrent and historic basic service rates here. 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 . ones. Maybe. Thanks for signing up. 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. However, if a customer misses more than two payments in their COVID-19 relief plan, they can be kicked out of the plan. Bessette said that puts utilities in a tough spot with landlords whose tenants can't or won't pay. What is a local government agency's responsibility to be available to accept legal papers served by a processor during COVID-19, especially when they have closed their offices to the public? Consumer advocates want to make sure all utilities are required to offer longer payment plans and forgive debt. 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%. The decision also calls on utilities to document follow-up efforts with community-based organizations to make sure hard-to-reach customers can sign up for relief programs. 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. Why is my BGE bill so high 2021? of Cty. 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. Earlier this month, Gov. When the state reopened in mid-June, Newsom quietly extended the moratorium on water shutoffs to Sept. 30. 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. Please do not include personal or contact information. Under these programs, your city or town negotiates a supply rate with a competitive supplier for its residents. With expanded income eligibility for some programs, more New Jerseyans are now eligible for utility assistance. Applications for LIHEAP for the 2022-2023 heating season can be submitted now and throughout the winter heating season. 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. Other CPUC Actions The feedback will only be used for improving the website. The number of customers who havent paid their bills increased 14% in the last year, but the amount they owe increased 76%, according to the Energy Association of Pennsylvania. Additionally, the period in which the lien may be imposed was amended this year by the legislature (see HB 1069, section 15). Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, A map from the National Association of Utility Regulators (NARUC). You can also follow us on social media: Electric and Gas Arrearages Summary as of October, 2022 (PDF). If a customer account is eligible, a credit will be automatically applied to the customer bill. 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. Eligible government agencies in Washington State may use our free, one-on-one Ask MRSC service to get answers to legal, policy, or financial questions. In this post, well focus on what effect (if any) the proclamations have on your existing collections process. In addition, more than 5,000 utility customers statewide have received $2.8 million from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program that helps renters with unpaid bills and California was allocated $1.5 billion through the American Rescue Plan Act that homeowners can apply to utility bill relief. Information on testing, vaccines, and help finding appointments near you. The proclamations said that customers "shall not be charged" late fees for energy, telecommunications, or water services between March 23, 2020, and September 30, 2021. Payment plans can help avoid service shut-offs. Boeings CEO is missing out on a $7 million bonus because the companys new large jet is behind schedule, Louisiana Gov. There is no similar prohibition for sewer or storm water services. The decision means that utilities will not be able to shut off water, power or heat during the winter months. The Washington State Department of Commerce has assembledresources for utility customers behind on their payments, and the Washington Department of Healths Office of Drinking Water has a customer assistance program. Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney, For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. Sign up now! The grace period for residential cable and internet for customers with school-aged children ended on December 31, 2021. Lake Washington Sewer & Water Dist., 784 P.2d 1284 (Wash. Ct. App. 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. COVID-19 We are using lanterns to get ready for work.". "It just makes this problem compounding for the individual, and it's making the utility look like more of a bad guy in my eyes.". In its decision, the commission said the combination of the moratorium extension and the two-year amortization plans will relieve customers of the threat of disconnection and put them on a path toward solvency.. But the majority of these orders are . The Biden Administration and Congress have not acted on urgent calls to ban water shutoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 1 million customers were eligible for termination when Wolf sent the letter a month ago. An additional "catch-all" category is also included for those who are unable to pay their utility bills because of circumstances beyond their control, such as unemployment or illness. Any person who is making good faith efforts should never have their services shut off, he said. 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. Earlier this month, the Legislature earmarked $1 billion in the upcoming 2022 state budget to help Californians pay overdue utility bills. 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. These LIHEAP funds, combined with assistance from ERAP, will significantly reduce the impact of the lifting of the moratorium, and prevent potentially hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians from facing termination, Wolf said. The move comes after S.C. Gov. For more information about the Winter Termination Program, call 800-624-0241. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Utilities in Wisconsin will once again be able to shut off services for customers who fail to pay their bills. 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 . In other words, they do not prohibit your payment plans from including interest or late fees for missing a payment after the effective date of the payment plan. 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. 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). March 1 2023, Changes for 2022 Annual Reporting for Cash Basis Entities Note that the proclamations do not prohibit imposing some kind of monetary penalty for failing to comply with the provisions of a payment plan. Are we in violation of a law if we do not have a location that is open to the public to serve? The decision means that utilities will not be able to shut off water, power or heat during the winter months. State officials recommend anyone with a shut-off notice to set up a plan now with their electric, gas or water provider. Consider solar energy to reduce electricity usage. The order protects consumers who may not be able to pay for their water service from shutoffs. You may be able to pause mortgage payments, credit card bills, bank fees and more during the pandemic. An increase in your homes energy efficiency should result in lower utility bills over time. 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. Under the terms of the CPUCs vote, utility companies will automatically enroll residential customers who are more than 60 days behind on their energy bills to a COVID-19 Residential Relief Payment Plan that will amortize their debt over a 24-month period. Can I get help paying my utilities? Please visit theCSD websitefor more information. The financial effect of the pandemic has hit utility customers hard in California, a state that is home to one of the highest electricity rates in the country. Meanwhile, utility customers have amassed large, unpaid bills, as a majority of the state has been working from home and using more energy. 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. She is borrowing electricity from down the hall to keep her food from spoiling. Steve Gross joined MRSC as a Legal Consultant in January 2020. The proclamations said that customers shall not be charged late fees for energy, telecommunications, or water services between March 23, 2020, and September 30, 2021. Water utilities were asked to submit any disconnection plans for review this month. (Since interest is generally considered to be a penalty for non-payment it is probably included in late fees.). 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. We know the effects of COVID are still very much front and center for many consumers, Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen said. The commissioners did not heed that call. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Puget Sound Energy reported giving $7.6 million in bill credits to nearly 14,000 customers. It can reduce electric bills 30 to 35 percent. 505 Van Ness Avenue Any utilities who may disconnect service once the winter moratorium ends would also have to submit those plans to regulators by Feb. 15. https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562021/approved/20211222a.shtml, https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/reports/covid19/Moratorium_Ending_FAQs_061421.pdf. Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps"). The actions are in response to customers who are unable to pay their utility bills during the COVID-19 economic crisis. 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. "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. If you are a customer of a municipal utility, call your municipal utility immediately to ask about any assistance programs that may be available. CPUC Industry Divisions will accept the submittal of Advice Letters and related documents by electronic mail. Many customers financial situations have changed during the pandemic. NRDC and the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) have just published a new fact sheet summarizing six federal COVID-19 relief programs that are either dedicated to, or can be used for, low income water and wastewater assistance. Medical Information from healthcare professionals on symptoms, when to seek medical attention, and proper steps to take if exposed to COVID-19. If you have been switched without your permission, you should file a complaint with the Department of Public Utilities. The Utilities and Transportation Commission also ordered investor-owned utilities to continue waiving new customer deposits and late fees through Oct. 27, 2021. SDG&E spokeswoman Sara Prince said the utility supports the CPUCs moves. Using Electronic Signatures During Emergencies, Woodward says Spokane economic recovery continues, but problems loom. 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. 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. As Californians are sheltering at home, residential electric usage has increased 15 to 20 percent in recent weeks compared to the same period last year. Please limit your input to 500 characters. But utilities will have to balance their need to maintain their revenue stream with the reality that some of their customers may not have the ability to pay the past-due debt and keep up with current expenses. MRSC is a private nonprofit organization serving local governments in Washington State. Small businesses and nonprofits can apply for SBA disaster assistance programs online or seek assistance from SBAs Customer Service Center at 1-800-569-2955/1-800-877-8339 (TTY). Please limit your input to 500 characters. The good news is that the recent federal COVID-19 relief packages including President Bidens American Rescue Plan enacted in March 2021 provide billions of dollars that can help low-income families struggling to pay their water and sewer bills. John Bel Edwards is traveling to Asia for a weeklong series of meetings with business leaders and policymakers in the hopes of growing foreign investment, Stocks rallied on Wall Street, climbing to their biggest gain in six weeks, Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSign Up For Our NewslettersSite Map, Copyright 2023, The San Diego Union-Tribune |. Please see below for contact numbers for each investor-owned electric and gas utility. Plus, if they wish to accelerate or make larger payments, they may do so. of King v. Ne. 8, even as sewage contamination led to closures for 35 days last year. If your household income is 60% or less of the state median income, you are eligible for LIHEAP. He has indicated that this will be the final extension. SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today signed an executive order that will restrict water shutoffs to homes and small businesses while the state responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. This blog is co-authored by Larry Levine (NRDC) and Olivia Wein (National Consumer Law Center). Some individual water utilities are continuing to suspend shutoffs, even after state bans expire, while some others never do shutoffs at all for non-payment. Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. "I just want some time to get my money," she said. You may be eligible for assistance now, even if you have not been eligible in the past. The decision essentially meant gas and electric utilities would be barred from disconnecting service through April 15, since the state's winter moratorium takes effect Nov. 1. keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. Candy Woodall is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania Capital Bureau. Customers who need payment assistance should contact their utility as soon as possibleto ask about Deferred Payment Agreements (DPAs), and to learn what other assistance is available. Final Transition Plan Advice Letters available on. The California Public Utilities Commission also extended the power shutoff moratorium to Sept. 30, days before it was set to expire on June 30. All in all, 83 out of 578 water utilities submitted plans to shut off service for more than 9,500 customers. MRSC offers a wide range of services to local governments and our contract partners in Washington State. According toRCW 19.16.500(1)(b),utilities may also add a reasonable collections fee to the outstandingdebt. If you are struggling to pay your electric or gas utility bills, reach out to your utility to discuss available payment plans, arrearage forgiveness programs and other payment assistance programs. . You can also go towww.heatinghelpma.orgto find more information about your local community action agency and eligibility. No, your landlord cannot shut off your utilities. Thank you for your website feedback! The number of people affected is alarming, according to a letter sent to the commission from Gov. 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. 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. Auth. coronavirus State regulators on Tuesday extended protections against utility cutoffs for people who cant pay through April 30, 2021. We will be monitoring very closely the extent to which state and federal funding efforts address the debt that consumers face, Rechtschaffen said. You can alsofile a consumer complaintwith the Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division or by calling our hotline at 617-727-8400. 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. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Automatic renewals often lead to customers paying higher rates. 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. Anyone facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to . "I guess the first day he could file for eviction, he did it," she told us after receiving an eviction notice. Last month, Ayanna McClure learned how quickly landlords were filing eviction notices when the moratoriums expired. Also, utilities may assign delinquent customer debts to licensed collection agencies under the authority provided inRCW 19.16.500and pursuant to a written contract with a licensed agency. We know this has been an extremely difficult time for our customers. Try now to get LIHEAP funds, Dollar Energy Fund help or emergency assistance, they said. Lt. Gov. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program payments were down 40% compared to the previous year, according to PUC data. Upcoming TrainingsAttend our live webinars, virtual workshops, and in-person trainings to learn about key local government issues! Enrollment does not prevent customers from accessing other financial programs that can help them reduce utility debt. 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. Illinois' moratorium on utility shut-offs during the COVID-19 pandemic ends Wednesday, but there is still help available for anyone who needs assistance paying bills. The White House is proposing to spend $5 billion to cover home energy and water.
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