Sign up today for a digital subscription. The extension of the moratorium on shutoffs has been met with frustration by some, including Jason Bessette, general manager of New London Utilities. For county-owned utilities, RCW 36.94.150 authorizes a lien for sewerage and water. Global travelers on Tripadvisor platform rank Coronado No. In Fields' case, her supplier put her on a payment plan so she could just pay a few dollars a month. 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. Also, if a customer enters into a payment plan with their provider, many . For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. Payment plans can help avoid service shut-offs. 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. By comparison, about 12 percent of customers had past-due balances in April 2019, amounting to $184million. Visithereor the Cold Relief Heatline at (800) 632-8175 to find your local community action agency where you can apply for LIHEAP. Water Utilities Will Not Be Able To Disconnect Service After PSC Vote. All told, some $1.33 billion in past-due bills have piled up statewide. For resources and updates about New Jerseys response to COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 Information Hub. 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. Nearly 35 million households will lose their utility shutoff - CNBC State extends utility cutoff protection through April 2021 And commissioners said utility companies told them many customers had not set up plans for repayment during the moratorium. Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps"). Utilities resume the issuance of late payment notifications to customers and collection activities. HEAP is a seasonal program. The update also adds a link to the Washington State Department of Healths Customer Assistance Program. "I didn't have the $300 they needed," she said. 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 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. If you need help paying your utility bills or your arrears, visit the Board of Public Utilities' Assistance Programs page. June 30, 2021: Emergency Customer Protections expire. 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. She cited lower unemployment and COVID-19 infection rates, and pointed to the latest federal stimulus among the reasons the moratorium could be lifted. its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. The actions are in response to customers who are unable to pay their utility bills during the COVID-19 economic crisis. Gavin Newsom went into effect in March 2020, the utilities commission announced power companies could not disconnect services to customers for one year. Jay Inslee previously ordered a moratorium on shut-offs, which he extended nine times. Last month, Ayanna McClure learned how quickly landlords were filing eviction notices when the moratoriums expired. You may be able to pause mortgage payments, credit card bills, bank fees and more during the pandemic. Any person who is making good faith efforts should never have their services shut off, he said. Aug. 13, 2020, at 12:14 p.m. Bills to Stop Paying During Coronavirus. "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. He has indicated that this will be the final extension. "You don't get medical pay period when you are a temp worker," she explained. But, thewinter moratorium doesnot apply to water utilities. If you receive residential electric or gas service through a municipal utility, contact them directly to find out more about their shut-off policy and to hear about available payment assistance programs. The good news: After we confirmed to Fields' provider that she would be getting pandemic aid to pay the bill, the utility agreed to restore her electricity. As state COVID-19 lockdown orders from Gov. She is borrowing electricity from down the hall to keep her food from spoiling. For additional FAQs about NJBPU's processes during the COVID-19 statewide response, click here. February 27 2023, Integrating Best Available Science: New Tools for Land Use Planning & Emergency Management 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. 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. 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). Customers can opt out of the plan if they want. COVID-19 - California Public Utilities Commission There is no similar prohibition for sewer or storm water services. Water utilities were asked to submit any disconnection plans for review this month. On June 14, Governor Murphy announced that the moratorium on utility service shutoffs will end as of July 1, 2021. Tom Wolf, who opposes lifting the moratorium. Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney, For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. BGE Customers With Disconnected Service Can Get Service Restored During COVID-19 Pandemic. But the majority of these orders are . 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. If one of these suppliers is on your bill, it is possible that one of these companies switched your electricity supply without your permission. Please see below for contact numbers for each investor-owned electric and gas utility. 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. 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. Want to know more about the team behind MRSC or contact a specific staff member? 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. 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. South Carolina utilities will stop cutting service to customers with unpaid bills during the novel coronavirus pandemic. 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. Customers should consider the following: Replaced outdated light bulbs with ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Keep updated on the latest news and information. One water system has already said that it will resume shutoffs the next day. We are using lanterns to get ready for work.". 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. An increase in your homes energy efficiency should result in lower utility bills over time. 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. Please limit your input to 500 characters. September 7, 2021 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 California and New York City alone, for example, residential water arrears total over $1.6 billion, with over 1.7 million households affected. 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. MRSC offers a wide range of services to local governments and our contract partners in Washington State. New York Bans Utility Shutoffs during COVID-19 Emergency The proclamations did not prohibit disconnecting sewer and storm services (if practical) for non-payment. No, your landlord cannot shut off your utilities. Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling COVID-19 are running out of options. 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. Anyone facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to . 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.. Those figures were roughly the same in April 2018. To help bridge this divide, the CPUC approved a partnership with the Department of Education to fund $5 million in devices for students in need. 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. That guidance was incorporated into Proclamation 20-23.6 to help utilities create their own programs. 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. Digging Into Public Works In-person regional forums and training resources for public works staff and local contractors. Final Transition Plan Advice Letters available on. . The electric utilities are responsible for operating their systems, including the decision to conduct a Public Safety Power Shutoff as a last resort. In addition to your utility, you can contact the Department of Public Utilitiesat877-886-5066, or completetheir online complaint form. Eligible government agencies can use our free one-on-one inquiry service. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy Only eight states have statewide water shutoff moratoria in place today. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, state and local governments have barred utility companies from shutting off services such as gas, electric and water. (Since interest is generally considered to be a penalty for non-payment it is probably included in late fees.). Some utilities stated they have been helping customers. We know the effects of COVID are still very much front and center for many consumers, Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen said. Plus, more than half the amount owed comes from customers not enrolled in assistance programs that help defray utility bills. The utility reported to the commission that 495 out of its roughly 3,000 customers would be eligible for disconnection. https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562021/approved/20211222a.shtml, https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/reports/covid19/Moratorium_Ending_FAQs_061421.pdf. Medical Information from healthcare professionals on symptoms, when to seek medical attention, and proper steps to take if exposed to COVID-19. You may be eligible for assistance now, even if you have not been eligible in the past. The AGO issued a 2018reportand2019 update,and2021 updatethat found that Massachusetts customers typically lost money on competitive electric supply. Water and other utility services already have been disconnected for at least hundreds of thousands families unable to pay these bills, with more at risk every day. Meanwhile, utility customers have amassed large, unpaid bills, as a majority of the state has been working from home and using more energy. 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. Share this webpage and the flyer below with your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to spread the word. (Getty Images) Paying . Utility Late Fee/Shutoff Moratorium Expires September 30: Now What? Many residents are struggling to pay their bills, including their monthly utility bills, following the COVID-19 crisis and due to the currently high fossil fuel prices. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. of King v. Ne. Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. 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. 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. Please limit your input to 500 characters. If you are a residential customer struggling to pay your utility bills, behind on your payments, or interested in more regular payments, reach out to your electric or gas utility to discuss available payment plans and payment 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. 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 all other times, if you are experiencing financial hardshipandone of the following applies, your electric or gas cannot be shut off without permission from the Department of Public Utilities: In addition, payment plans are available to avoid shut off and manage utility bills. San Diego International Airport received the $20 million grant as part of the governments Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Utilities will continue to provide assistance programs. But tens of millions of people are continuing to accumulate tens of billions of dollars of overdue utility bills. Enrollment does not prevent customers from accessing other financial programs that can help them reduce utility debt.