The Public Service Commission voted unanimously Thursday to end the moratorium. 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. Can a power company turn off power? 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. 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. To learn about these payment programs, and whether they are offered by your utility, please contact your utility. We will be monitoring very closely the extent to which state and federal funding efforts address the debt that consumers face, Rechtschaffen said. LIHEAP is available this winter heating season from November 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. Also, if a customer enters into a payment plan with their provider, many . Utility Late Fee/Shutoff Moratorium Expires September 30: Now What. We want all Massachusetts residents to be aware of thenew and expanded programs available to assist them in paying their home heating bills. But tens of millions of people are continuing to accumulate tens of billions of dollars of overdue utility bills. of King v. Ne. Gavin Newsom went into effect in March 2020, the utilities commission announced power companies could not disconnect services to customers for one year. 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 financial impact of the pandemic has been devastating for many in our community and helping our customers by providing flexible payment options and access to bill assistance resources has been a priority for us, Prince said in an email. A second possibility is that you are receiving supply from a competitive supplier that markets and sells to individual customers. She is borrowing electricity from down the hall to keep her food from spoiling. 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. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Sign up now! This chart from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)provides more detailed household income information. Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling COVID-19 are running out of options. The decision means that utilities will not be able to shut off water, power or heat during the winter months. Want to know more about the team behind MRSC or contact a specific staff member? The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and renters pay for utility and heating bills. Can it be done by appointment? Some page levels are currently hidden. 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. "I think that we could have been narrower, help those in need, prevent people from digging a bigger hole than they're already in, and eventually driving up rates for everybody," said Nowak. 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. Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Preparation Plans When the state reopened in mid-June, Newsom quietly extended the moratorium on water shutoffs to Sept. 30. 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). of Cty. These funds can help millions keep their water running and dig out from a mountain of utility debt, while helping utilities offset decreased revenue without raising rates. Whats your favorite San Diego County beach? The AGO strongly urges any Massachusetts consumer who considers signing up with a competitive supplier to read the AGOs FAQs on electric supply options here. (Allied organizations have also submitted similar recommendations to HHS, including a letter organized by frontline advocates that NRDC also joined.). 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. For policy examples, see our Ask MRSC Archives question: Is there a process for cities to write-off bad debt?. Customers should consider the following: Replaced outdated light bulbs with ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs. All in all, 83 out of 578 water utilities submitted plans to shut off service for more than 9,500 customers. 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. Any utilities who may disconnect service once the winter moratorium ends would also have to submit those plans to regulators by Feb. 15. CARE is available to customers whose total household income is at or below specific income limits, such as $52,4000 for a family of four. The fact sheet describes what is currently known of the program and will be updated as HHS releases more information. State officials recommend anyone with a shut-off notice to set up a plan now with their electric, gas or water provider. 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%. 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). This is true even if you are behind on rent. She cited lower unemployment and COVID-19 infection rates, and pointed to the latest federal stimulus among the reasons the moratorium could be lifted. The heat dome of 2021 claimed the lives of 157 people in Washington State . March 1 2023, Changes for 2022 Annual Reporting for Cash Basis Entities Tom Wolf, who opposes lifting the moratorium. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. On June 14, Governor Murphy announced that the moratorium on utility service shutoffs will end as of July 1, 2021. She said utility workers shut off her electricity over the weekend for non-payment going back several months. The utility reported to the commission that 495 out of its roughly 3,000 customers would be eligible for disconnection. Please limit your input to 500 characters. 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. Lt. Gov. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Frequently Asked Questions about Electric and Gas Utilities, is, Frequently Asked Questions about Electric and Gas Utilities. NRDC and NCLC have submitted recommendations to HHS on how to implement LIHWAP equitably and efficiently. 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. Mashelle Fields is one of them, living off batteries and borrowed power in her apartment. * Unsurprisingly, when California examined its statewide data, low-income communities of color had disproportionately high levels of household water debt. 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. She can be reached at 717-480-1783 or on Twitter at @candynotcandace. April 30, 2021: CPUC Approves Emergency Utility Customer Protection Transition Plans. Utilities resume the issuance of late payment notifications to customers and collection activities. If a customer account is eligible, a credit will be automatically applied to the customer bill. The actions are in response to customers who are unable to pay their utility bills during the COVID-19 economic crisis. We will 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. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and Auth. 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;. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, state and local governments have barred utility companies from shutting off services such as gas, electric and water. We are using lanterns to get ready for work.". 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. 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. June 30, 2021: Emergency Customer Protections expire. However, the California data do not include arrears for customers of wastewater-only utilities. 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. The decision means that utilities will not be able to shut off water, power or heat during the winter months. 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. Steve Gross joined MRSC as a Legal Consultant in January 2020. Global travelers on Tripadvisor platform rank Coronado No. 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. Visitwww.mass211.orgor dial 211 to find your local agency. BGE Customers With Disconnected Service Can Get Service Restored During COVID-19 Pandemic. Electric and gas utility contact information is provided below: You can considercontacting Mass Savefor an energy efficiency audit. The utility shutoff grace period ended on March 15, 2022 for all water, electric, and sewer customers. Wolf told commissioners he knew the moratorium couldnt continue indefinitely, but he urged them to continue the protections that are in place for low-income Pennsylvanians. Fields, meanwhile, has applied for pandemic aid through the state. Consider solar energy to reduce electricity usage. 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. April 1, 2021: Electric, gas, and water utilities submit final Emergency Utility Customer Protection Transition Plan Advice Letters to CPUC. 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. 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. Hous. One possibility is that you are participating in your city or towns community choice electric plan. Customers can opt out of the plan if they want. 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. Massachusetts consumers should also take steps to avoid an automatic renewal of their supply contract. Valcq pointed out that similar assistance programs do not exist for water customers. 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. 2023 www.goerie.com. Please see below for contact numbers for each investor-owned electric and gas utility. Based on the plain language of the proclamations this is how we think they affect the utilities once the prohibitions expire. Boeings CEO is missing out on a $7 million bonus because the companys new large jet is behind schedule, Louisiana Gov. With expanded income eligibility for some programs, more New Jerseyans are now eligible for utility assistance. We know this has been an extremely difficult time for our customers. But, thewinter moratorium doesnot apply to water utilities. In the past year, the CPUC and the states utilities stepped up efforts to get eligible customers to sign up for the California Alternate Rates for Energy, or CARE, and the Family Electric Rates Assistance, or FERA programs. 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) If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney, For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. Keep updated on the latest news and information. 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. of Cty. The California Public Utilities Commission also extended the power shutoff moratorium to Sept. 30, days before it was set to expire on June 30. The AGO issued a 2018reportand2019 update,and2021 updatethat found that Massachusetts customers typically lost money on competitive electric supply. 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. Budget billing equalizes monthly payments over the course of 12 months so that you pay a predictable amount each month instead of seeing your bill amount fluctuate depending on the season, the price of energy, and customer usage. 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. You can alsofile a consumer complaintwith the Attorney General's Consumer Advocacy and Response Division or by calling our hotline at 617-727-8400. 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). 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. 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 . Payment plans can help avoid service shut-offs. The electric utilities are responsible for operating their systems, including the decision to conduct a Public Safety Power Shutoff as a last resort. Only eight states have statewide water shutoff moratoria in place today. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Most of the assistance is provided through new, emergency programs, although some is provided through pre-existing programs. PUC Chair Gladys Brown Dutrieuille said its time to return to the regular collections process.. 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. A federal program can help. In this post, well focus on what effect (if any) the proclamations have on your existing collections process. Take steps to reduce your overall energy usage this winter, which should in turn help you lower your utility bill.
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