The utility shutoff grace period ended on March 15, 2022 for all water, electric, and sewer customers. We know this has been an extremely difficult time for our customers. 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. 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. All in all, 83 out of 578 water utilities submitted plans to shut off service for more than 9,500 customers. 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. Utilities resume the issuance of late payment notifications to customers and collection activities. We know the effects of COVID are still very much front and center for many consumers, Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen said. Thanks for signing up. If your household income is 60% or less of the state median income, you are eligible for LIHEAP. Auth. 8, even as sewage contamination led to closures for 35 days last year. A utility company generally can't turn off the heat, electricity or power during cold or hot weather. 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. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. "When we have public health experts telling us that one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of the virus is frequent hand washing, I don't know how in good conscience and based on that public health guidance we can allow utility service to be disconnected," said Valcq. Can a power company turn off power? Utilities also offer another way to stay on top of your bills called budget billing. 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. She's argued for more targeted solutions to provide assistance to customers in need, highlighting that utilities are required to work out a down payment plan with customers during the pandemic. Why is my BGE bill so high 2021? Customers should make payments toward their utility bills if they can. Click here for more on competitive electric suppliers. In this post, well focus on what effect (if any) the proclamations have on your existing collections process. You may want to consider adopting a policy that will authorize you to write-off uncollectible debt. of Cty. 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. 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. Other CPUC Actions Utility Collection Deferrals, Shutoffs, and Payment Plans. But many utility companies have said without the threat of a shut-off notice, their bills would go unpaid. 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. For policy examples, see our Ask MRSC Archives question: Is there a process for cities to write-off bad debt?. 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. LIHEAP is available this winter heating season from November 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. You may be able to pause mortgage payments, credit card bills, bank fees and more during the pandemic. Here are prices in 10 communities, Charge by night, discharge by day: Electric school buses in El Cajon will send power to the grid, VMware, Broadcom rise; Marvell, Bumble fall, Initial public offerings scheduled to debut next week, Closing prices for crude oil, gold and other commodities, The implications of Walgreens decision on abortion pills, Nan Goldin is going to the Oscars, and she wants to win, World Bank: Quake caused damage worth $5.1 billion in Syria. 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. 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. Earlier this year, the commission reported that statewide enrollment in CARE has increased 13.6 percent and FERA enrollment shot up 45 percent. The heat dome of 2021 claimed the lives of 157 people in Washington State . Steve Gross Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We want all Massachusetts residents to be aware of thenew and expanded programs available to assist them in paying their home heating bills. States should heed the same recommendations as they set up their own programs to administer LIHWAP funds. We will be monitoring very closely the extent to which state and federal funding efforts address the debt that consumers face, Rechtschaffen said. The Natural Resources Defense Council works to safeguard the earth - its people, When the remaining state or local moratoria are lifted, residential water customers who lose shutoff protections will face billions of dollars in arrears. It appears that sewer and storm utilities are not prohibited from charging late fees and interest (depending on the utilitys rate schedule) for any past-due amounts. Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps"). Water utilities were asked to submit any disconnection plans for review this month. PRA/OPMA E-Learning Courses Free video courses for city/town elected officials on the Public Records Act (PRA) and Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Try now to get LIHEAP funds, Dollar Energy Fund help or emergency assistance, they said. Maintaining access to water and other essential utility services remains as vital as ever to safeguard public health, as the pandemic continues. Global travelers on Tripadvisor platform rank Coronado No. Any utilities who may disconnect service once the winter moratorium ends would also have to submit those plans to regulators by Feb. 15. The utility reported to the commission that 495 out of its roughly 3,000 customers would be eligible for disconnection. Utilities - Billing and Collection. You may be eligible for assistance now, even if you have not been eligible in the past. But Dutrieuille and the commission approved a motion that will allow customers to stretch out payment plans and keep on their services. She is borrowing electricity from down the hall to keep her food from spoiling. If a customer account is eligible, a credit will be automatically applied to the customer bill. The fact sheet describes what is currently known of the program and will be updated as HHS releases more information. Heres how to apply, Suspicions of manipulation in the natural gas market? For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling. coronavirus State regulators on Tuesday extended protections against utility cutoffs for people who cant pay through April 30, 2021. Under state law, water utilities can still collect past-due bills by putting those expenses onto the property tax roll. 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. For small business customers of an investor-owned utility, enrolling in a payment plan may protect your business from electric or gas shut off if you cannot afford your current balance. (Rob Nikolewski/The San Diego Union-Tribune), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, California Public Utilities Commission passed an extension, extended the moratorium earlier this year, one of the highest electricity rates in the country, California Alternate Rates for Energy, or CARE, and the Family Electric Rates Assistance, or FERA programs, Is your utility bill going to get even higher? February 27 2023, Integrating Best Available Science: New Tools for Land Use Planning & Emergency Management Utility Late Fee/Shutoff Moratorium Expires September 30: Now What. 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 California legislature approved the California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) in the 2021-2022 State Budget. 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? That guidance was incorporated into Proclamation 20-23.6 to help utilities create their own programs. According toRCW 19.16.500(1)(b),utilities may also add a reasonable collections fee to the outstandingdebt. *Note:This combined total for New York City and California is likely a conservative estimate. Gov. 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. These pages cover more specific details that depend on the type of utility, and its critical that you use the right tools for your specific type of jurisdiction and type of utility. Customers who are interested in installing solar panels or enrolling with community solar programs should visit the AGs Office FAQ with consumer tips at mass.gov/ago/solar. April 23, 2020: CPUC held a workshop on Impacts of COVID-19 on Customer-Oriented Clean Energy Program. "I'm charging my cell phone in my truck when I can. Please visit theCSD websitefor more information. Gov. For many of us, the accelerating rollout of COVID-19 vaccines provides hope for a light at the end of the tunnel. Links to the 2020 briefing decks presented to CPUC and CAL FIRE can be found on the utility websites below. Candy Woodall is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania Capital Bureau. Consumer advocates want to make sure all utilities are required to offer longer payment plans and forgive debt. Many customers financial situations have changed during the pandemic. In addition to your utility, you can contact the Department of Public Utilitiesat877-886-5066, or completetheir online complaint form. Maybe. Category: South Carolina utilities will stop cutting service to customers with unpaid bills during the novel coronavirus pandemic. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy The CPUC is taking action to ensure that this does not become an added hardship for people who have lost their jobs or are otherwise suffering economically due to COVID-19, including, but not limited to: Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) 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. 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. Last month, regulators voted 2 to 1 to extend a temporary moratorium on utility shutoffs during the COVID-19 crisis for residential customers until Nov. 1. of King v. Ne. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. Lt. Gov. 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. In addition to Texas Utility Help, the following programs exist to help people pay utilities Also: Help for Texans (TDHCA) "You don't get medical pay period when you are a temp worker," she explained. In California, the reported $1 billion in overdue residential bills includes about $600 million for customers of water utilities or combined water/sewer utilities, and about $400 million for customers who receive a combined bill for water and power from the same utility. It also notes where federal agencies have not yet provided critical details, such as how the program funds will be allocated and how programs will be structured. 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. 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. Unlike AMP, utility customersdo not need to applyto receive assistance under the CAPP program. 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. This chart from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)provides more detailed household income information.