Utilities also offer another way to stay on top of your bills called budget billing. But, thewinter moratorium doesnot apply to water utilities. Gavin Newsom went into effect in March 2020, the utilities commission announced power companies could not disconnect services to customers for one year. If you are a customer of a municipal utility, call your municipal utility immediately to ask about any assistance programs that may be available. 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. 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. ones. The White House is proposing to spend $5 billion to cover home energy and water. Only eight states have statewide water shutoff moratoria in place today. The utility shutoff grace period ended on March 15, 2022 for all water, electric, and sewer customers. No, your landlord cannot shut off your utilities. The electric utilities are responsible for operating their systems, including the decision to conduct a Public Safety Power Shutoff as a last resort. COVID-19 She can be reached at 717-480-1783 or on Twitter at @candynotcandace. "I guess the first day he could file for eviction, he did it," she told us after receiving an eviction notice. 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. In addition to Texas Utility Help, the following programs exist to help people pay utilities Also: Help for Texans (TDHCA) For FAQs on the end of the moratorium and the six-month grace period, click here. 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. Are we in violation of a law if we do not have a location that is open to the public to serve? The Natural Resources Defense Council works to safeguard the earth - its people, State Disclosures, Senior Attorney and Director, Urban Water Infrastructure, People & Communities Program. 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. and utilities under its jurisdiction are doing to support communities The proclamations did not prohibit disconnecting sewer and storm services (if practical) for non-payment. This new law provides several important safeguards for residential utility customers by: prohibiting shutoffs during the COVID-19 state of emergency for non-payment of a utility bill;. Please visit theCSD websitefor more information. Thursdays 5-0 vote extends the moratorium through the end of September for both residential and small-business customers. , 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. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Water and electrical services have a statutory lien under RCW 35.21.290, but enforcement of the lien is limited to shutting off the utility by RCW 35.21.300. 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. 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. 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. 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. There is no similar prohibition for sewer or storm water services. Moratoriums on disconnects expiring across the US. In this post, well focus on what effect (if any) the proclamations have on your existing collections process. 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. Anyone facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to . Lake Washington Sewer & Water Dist., 784 P.2d 1284 (Wash. Ct. App. If your bill lists a competitive supplier that you do not recognize, there are two possibilities. She said utility workers shut off her electricity over the weekend for non-payment going back several months. 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. In accordance with the approved plans, utilities are communicating with customers about imminent protection expiration, providing support to customers transitioning off of customer protections, and helping customers enroll in applicable assistance programs. For more information about the Winter Termination Program, call 800-624-0241. California Public Utilities Commission April 1, 2021: Electric, gas, and water utilities submit final Emergency Utility Customer Protection Transition Plan Advice Letters to CPUC. The fact sheet describes what is currently known of the program and will be updated as HHS releases more information. Thanks for signing up. The California Public Utilities Commission also extended the power shutoff moratorium to Sept. 30, days before it was set to expire on June 30. Texas bans utility shut-offs during coronavirus outbreak | The Texas Massachusetts consumers should also take steps to avoid an automatic renewal of their supply contract. Southern states are more frequently turning to pay-to-use express lanes as a way to address highway congestion without raising taxes. Last month, Ayanna McClure learned how quickly landlords were filing eviction notices when the moratoriums expired. For more information about which programs you may be eligible for, use DCA's screening tool. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy MRSC is a private nonprofit organization serving local governments in Washington State. "I'm charging my cell phone in my truck when I can. Visitwww.mass211.orgor dial 211 to find your local agency. its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. 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. 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. Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney, For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. 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. 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. 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. 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. Can't pay your power bill? Don't worry, you're safe for now as San Diego Gas & Electric residential customer bills. Steve Gross joined MRSC as a Legal Consultant in January 2020. California utilities commission extends moratorium on power shutoffs during these challenging times. Remember that for city-owned utilities,RCW 35.67.210 and RCW 35.67.215 apply to sewage liens. "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. 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. And the amount of unpaid bills had increased 67% since 2019 to $1 billion in February. It may also violate the prohibition againstdiscriminating among similarly situated ratepayers [Hous. Please see below for contact numbers for each investor-owned electric and gas utility. 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%. Digging Into Public Works In-person regional forums and training resources for public works staff and local contractors. Sign up now! 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). 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). A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. 505 Van Ness Avenue Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, A map from the National Association of Utility Regulators (NARUC). Auth. KIRO 7 News Seattle facebook feed(Opens a new window), KIRO 7 News Seattle twitter feed(Opens a new window), KIRO 7 News Seattle youtube feed(Opens a new window), Powerball jackpot winner identified as longtime Boeing employee, Multiple western Washington residents indicted in connection to coast-to-coast drug ring, Seattle firefighters battle massive Lake City building fire for hours, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies after brain aneurysm at 61, Thieves lose ATM ripped out of Lakewood credit union. Based on the plain language of the proclamations this is how we think they affect the utilities once the prohibitions expire. Please do not include personal or contact information. When the state reopened in mid-June, Newsom quietly extended the moratorium on water shutoffs to Sept. 30. State Regulators Bar All Utilities From Shutting Off Water, Power And The Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted 2 to 1 to ban all utility disconnections until next April. We will be monitoring very closely the extent to which state and federal funding efforts address the debt that consumers face, Rechtschaffen said. Applications for LIHEAP for the 2022-2023 heating season can be submitted now and throughout the winter heating season. Nearly 35 million households will lose their utility shutoff - CNBC Utilities will be able to shut off services for people behind on bills How to apply for rent and utility bill assistance in Texas 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). Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling COVID-19 are running out of options. Aug. 13, 2020, at 12:14 p.m. Bills to Stop Paying During Coronavirus. Under state law, water utilities can still collect past-due bills by putting those expenses onto the property tax roll. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, state and local governments have barred utility companies from shutting off services such as gas, electric and water. 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. You may be able to pause mortgage payments, credit card bills, bank fees and more during the pandemic. Can bge disconnect service winter? Explained by Sharing Culture 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. 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. All in all, 83 out of 578 water utilities submitted plans to shut off service for more than 9,500 customers. 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. If you need help paying your utility bills or your arrears, visit the Board of Public Utilities' Assistance Programs page. . Customers with higher income levels will be offered payment plans of at least one or two years. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. 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. Unlike AMP, utility customersdo not need to applyto receive assistance under the CAPP program. Sign up today for a digital subscription. 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. Electric and gas utility contact information is provided below: You can considercontacting Mass Savefor an energy efficiency audit. You can alsofile a consumer complaintwith the Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division or by calling our hotline at 617-727-8400. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. State extends utility cutoff protection through April 2021 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. 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. Other CPUC Actions For resources and updates about New Jerseys response to COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 Information Hub. Lt. Gov. Ellen Nowak opposed the decision to prevent all water shutoffs during the winter months. 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. (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? Is there a process for cities to write-off bad debt? But the vaccines are still in a race against time, with COVID-19 again resurging in many states. The move comes after S.C. Gov. coronavirus State regulators on Tuesday extended protections against utility cutoffs for people who cant pay through April 30, 2021. Pa. lifts moratorium on pandemic shutoffs and allows utilities to (Getty Images) Paying . (Since interest is generally considered to be a penalty for non-payment it is probably included in late fees.). 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? 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. FERA is open to customers whose household incomes slightly exceed those eligible for CARE. The risk of disconnection disproportionately harms communities of color. The update also adds a link to the Washington State Department of Healths Customer Assistance Program. Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling. Find information on what the CPUC and utilities under its jurisdiction are doing to support communities during these challenging times. CAPP will be administered by the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD). In Fields' case, her supplier put her on a payment plan so she could just pay a few dollars a month. 2023 Cox Media Group. update email soon. Auth. But if you are falling behind on utilities, get help as soon as possible so you are not shut off. SBA COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources, California Department of Public Health (CDPH), California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), News and Outreach Office Eligible government agencies can use our free one-on-one inquiry service. Under these programs, your city or town negotiates a supply rate with a competitive supplier for its residents. 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. June 30, 2021: Emergency Customer Protections expire. "It's just very difficult that the PSC wouldn't allow us to use our same tools," said Bessette. 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 . Bessette said that puts utilities in a tough spot with landlords whose tenants can't or won't pay. 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. 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. However, if a customer misses more than two payments in their COVID-19 relief plan, they can be kicked out of the 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). *Note:This combined total for New York City and California is likely a conservative estimate. Utility Late Fee/Shutoff Moratorium Expires September 30: Now What? 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. 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 |. He said they're trying to work with customers on payment plans, but the decision means some customers will have $4,000 in outstanding bills by next April. "You don't get medical pay period when you are a temp worker," she explained. Want to know more about the team behind MRSC or contact a specific staff member? When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. You can check outcurrent and historic basic service rates here. 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. Earlier this month, Gov. 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.
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