Please do not include personal or contact information. The utility reported to the commission that 495 out of its roughly 3,000 customers would be eligible for disconnection. All rights reserved. 2023 Cox Media Group. The utility shutoff grace period ended on March 15, 2022 for all water, electric, and sewer customers. To learn about these payment programs, and whether they are offered by your utility, please contact your utility. February 22 2023. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. 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. With one call or click you can get a personalized answer from one of our trusted attorneys, policy consultants, or finance experts! 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. 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. And while they applied to water and sewer districts as well as other municipally-owned utilities, the proclamations did not specifically include sewer or stormwater services. And the amount of unpaid bills had increased 67% since 2019 to $1 billion in February. 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. 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? Visit, For more information on community choice electric plans, also known as municipal aggregations, visit this website maintained by the Department of Public Utilities, In addition to your utility, you can contact the Department of Public Utilitiesat877-886-5066, or complete. "I just want some time to get my money," she said. 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. Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and Pacific Power are taking the step until further notice. "I didn't have the $300 they needed," she said. Find information on what the CPUC and utilities under its jurisdiction are doing to support communities during these challenging times. "You don't get medical pay period when you are a temp worker," she explained. On this webpage you will find information on what the CPUC Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. CPUC Industry Divisions will accept the submittal of Advice Letters and related documents by electronic mail. 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. 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. However, the question remains as to what actions local utilities can take to collect past-due amounts. 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 order protects consumers who may not be able to pay for their water service from shutoffs. DHCD has a toll-free hotline,1-800-632-8175, that is multi-language and will quickly direct you to your local community action agency that can help answer additional questions about eligibility and process your LIHEAP application. San Diego Gas & Electric residential customer bills. 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. Using Electronic Signatures During Emergencies, Woodward says Spokane economic recovery continues, but problems loom. . The AMP provides customers with the opportunity to have all or a portion of an arrearage (or outstanding unpaid amounts due) forgiven in exchange for payments of an amount and on a schedule designed individually for each participant. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy Moratoriums on disconnects expiring across the US. Nowak has previously urged the commission to work with the Evers administration to provide assistance to water customers in need through CARES Act funding. At least 30 days before assigningdebt, theutility must first attempt to notify the debtor of the existence of thedebtand that thedebtmay be assigned to a collection agency if not paid. For businesses, the plan ensures that the monthly payment does not exceed 10 percent of the customers average monthly bill. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. For policy examples, see our Ask MRSC Archives question: Is there a process for cities to write-off bad debt?. Massachusetts consumers should also take steps to avoid an automatic renewal of their supply contract. 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. Any person who is making good faith efforts should never have their services shut off, he said. 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. concerned about the health and safety of themselves and their loved Where available, the fact sheet provides links to federal program webpages and funding allocations to state, territorial, Tribal, and local grantees. Digging Into Public Works In-person regional forums and training resources for public works staff and local contractors. Please limit your input to 500 characters. PUC Chair Gladys Brown Dutrieuille said its time to return to the regular collections process.. 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. 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. 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. Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling COVID-19 are running out of options. Under the terms of the CPUC's 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. Unlike AMP, utility customersdo not need to applyto receive assistance under the CAPP program.
MRSC is a private nonprofit organization serving local governments in Washington State. 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.
Enrollment does not prevent customers from accessing other financial programs that can help them reduce utility debt. The White House is proposing to spend $5 billion to cover home energy and water. The grace period for residential cable and internet for customers with school-aged children ended on December 31, 2021. Last month, Ayanna McClure learned how quickly landlords were filing eviction notices when the moratoriums expired. 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. 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. For more information, see Utilities and Landlord/Tenant Issues. Automatic renewals often lead to customers paying higher rates. Most significantly, for the first time ever, Congress in December 2020 and March 2021 appropriated funds specifically for low-income water and wastewater assistance a total of $1.138 billion for an emergency Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). 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. keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. 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. Water Utilities Will Not Be Able To Disconnect Service After PSC Vote. BGE Customers With Disconnected Service Can Get Service Restored During COVID-19 Pandemic. Receive MRSC's latest articles and analysis through our Weekly Insights e-newsletter. State Disclosures, Senior Attorney and Director, Urban Water Infrastructure, People & Communities Program. 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. But since many utilities issue a combined utility bill it may be difficult to separate out services for which it can charge late fees from those it cannot. Since it has not been referenced in any subsequent proclamations, the guidance may not have any legal effect. HEAP is a seasonal program. 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 . 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. 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. One possibility is that you are participating in your city or towns community choice electric plan. "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.". 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 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. Even without the moratorium on shutoffs, most utility companies have been generous this year. No, your landlord cannot shut off your utilities. 229; Executive Order No. The California Public Utilities Commission also extended the power shutoff moratorium to Sept. 30, days before it was set to expire on June 30. In Fields' case, her supplier put her on a payment plan so she could just pay a few dollars a month. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Under these programs, your city or town negotiates a supply rate with a competitive supplier for its residents. The commission, known as the CPUC for short, extended the moratorium earlier this year but it was set to run out June 30. 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. The fact sheet describes what is currently known of the program and will be updated as HHS releases more information. In these unsettling and unprecedented times, many people are 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. Please visit theCSD websitefor more information. 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. coronavirus State regulators on Tuesday extended protections against utility cutoffs for people who can't pay through April 30, 2021. Utility Collection Deferrals, Shutoffs, and Payment Plans. Many customers financial situations have changed during the pandemic. But tens of millions of people are continuing to accumulate tens of billions of dollars of overdue utility bills. Auth. Customers should make payments toward their utility bills if they can. *Note:This combined total for New York City and California is likely a conservative estimate. For collection of delinquent amounts by water-sewer districts, the procedures in RCW 57.08.081control. * Unsurprisingly, when California examined its statewide data, low-income communities of color had disproportionately high levels of household water debt. 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. April 30, 2021: CPUC Approves Emergency Utility Customer Protection Transition Plans. Gov. "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. 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. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. But this part-time warehouse worker says she was battling COVID, and was out of work for weeks. https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562021/approved/20211222a.shtml, https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/reports/covid19/Moratorium_Ending_FAQs_061421.pdf. If a small business enrolls in an electric or gas payment plan with its investor-owned utility company and the business makes its payments, it will be protected from electric or gas service disconnection for the duration of the payment plan. 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. Why is my BGE bill so high 2021? Not only did many customers with overdue bills not set up payment plans with their utility companies, they also did not seek much help in coming up with the money. Earlier this month, the Legislature earmarked $1 billion in the upcoming 2022 state budget to help Californians pay overdue utility bills. But, thewinter moratorium doesnot apply to water utilities. 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. Utility Late Fee/Shutoff Moratorium Expires September 30: Now What. 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. 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. Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. by
They should also check our Assistance Programs page for information about assistance programs or use the DCAid online screening tool to apply for financial assistance from the State of New Jersey. In the past MRSC has written that a utility is required to collect a past-due amount and that failing to do so may violate Article VIII section 7of the state constitution, which prohibits a government agency from gifting public funds. 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. of King v. Ne. 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. 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. and utilities under its jurisdiction are doing to support communities South Carolina utilities will stop cutting service to customers with unpaid bills during the novel coronavirus pandemic. He also has been a legal policy advisor for the Pierce County Council and has worked in contract administration. You can also go towww.heatinghelpma.orgto find more information about your local community action agency and eligibility. When the remaining state or local moratoria are lifted, residential water customers who lose shutoff protections will face billions of dollars in arrears. (Allied organizations have also submitted similar recommendations to HHS, including a letter organized by frontline advocates that NRDC also joined.). Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, state and local governments have barred utility companies from shutting off services such as gas, electric and water. 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.. 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. 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. 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). Puget Sound Energy reported giving $7.6 million in bill credits to nearly 14,000 customers. For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. But the majority of these orders are . NJBPUtook several other actions to issue guidance to the utility companies during the State of Emergency and Public Health Emergency, including: Water and Sewer Arrearages Summary as of September , 2022 (PDF). 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. If you get your electricity or gas from an individual competitive supplier and are paying a high rate,consider canceling your contract so that you may return to buying your electric and gas supply from your utility (often called basic service). Thank you for your website feedback! 246; https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562021/approved/20211222a.shtml; https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/reports/covid19/Moratorium_Ending_FAQs_061421.pdf. 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. According toRCW 19.16.500(1)(b),utilities may also add a reasonable collections fee to the outstandingdebt. September 7, 2021
This is true even if you are behind on rent. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. ,
Utilities resume the issuance of late payment notifications to customers and collection activities. In New York City, the numbers reported include only water and sewer accounts that are at least 180 days overdue; the total of all overdue water and sewer bills in New York City is certainly much higher. Please visit the CSD website for more information. 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.