Shutoffs were allowed to resume Nov. 9 for some nonpaying customers, but existing commissionguidelines protected customers with income less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. If you are served by a municipal utility, it may or may not be shutting off customers for unpaid bills. For county-owned utilities, RCW 36.94.150 authorizes a lien for sewerage and water. If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. More than 1 million customers were eligible for termination when Wolf sent the letter a month ago. Fields, meanwhile, has applied for pandemic aid through the state. 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. 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. 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.. 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. 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). 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. Customers should make payments toward their utility bills if they can. 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. 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. Receive MRSC's latest articles and analysis through our Weekly Insights e-newsletter. Please limit your input to 500 characters. 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? The utility reported to the commission that 495 out of its roughly 3,000 customers would be eligible for disconnection. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and 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. Unlike AMP, utility customersdo not need to applyto receive assistance under the CAPP program. Remember that for city-owned utilities,RCW 35.67.210 and RCW 35.67.215 apply to sewage liens. Governor Inslee issuedProclamation 20-23.16 on July 2, 2021, which extended the utility shutoff moratorium through September 30, 2021. 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. . And the amount of unpaid bills had increased 67% since 2019 to $1 billion in February. Are we in violation of a law if we do not have a location that is open to the public to serve? We will use this information to improve this page. 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. Thanks for signing up. If your bill lists a competitive supplier that you do not recognize, there are two possibilities. Some page levels are currently hidden. The program protects specific categories of customers from having their gas or electric shut off between November 15 and March 15 of each year. A lock icon ( 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.. (Allied organizations have also submitted similar recommendations to HHS, including a letter organized by frontline advocates that NRDC also joined.). California has been here before, Feds using enhanced surveillance to see whats behind the natural gas spike in California, Paid express lanes grow more popular in once-reluctant South. Between November 15th and March 15th, residential customers are protected from utility shut offif the utility service is needed to heat your homeand you receive service from an investor-owned utility, such as Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, Liberty Utilities, or Berkshire Gas. 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. Under these programs, your city or town negotiates a supply rate with a competitive supplier for its residents. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. 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. Please let us know how we can improve this page. Texas regulators vote to ban residential utility shut-offs during pandemic while buoying companies The Texas Public Utility Commission approved an order Thursday that would ban. San Francisco, CA 94102, Utility Business Continuity Plans and PSPS Preparation, CPUC Mobilizes Community Based Organizations for Pilot Program To Help Consumers With Utility Debt, CPUC Executive Director Letter Concerning Extension of Moratorium on Disconnection for Non-Payment and Fees for Late Payment for Voice Service Through February 15, 2022, CPUC Acts To Ensure Essential Utility Services for Consumers at Risk of Disconnections, CPUC Actions to Protect Customers During the COVID-19 Pandemic; Utility Disconnection Moratoria and Arrearage Management - Presentation at CPUC Voting Meeting, CPUC Executive Director Letter Extending Moratorium on Disconnection for Non-Payment and Fees for Late Payment for Voice Service through September 30, 2021, CPUC Provides Relief for Customers Who Have Energy Bill Debt, https://liob.cpuc.ca.gov/m-4849-utility-transition-plans/, Executive Director Letter to IOUs on Direction to Conduct Customer Data Validation for Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Executive Director Letter Extending Moratorium on Disconnection for Non-Payment and Fees for Late Payment for Voice Service (Resolution M-4848) Through July 15, 2021, CPUC Extends Emergency Utility Customer Protections and Takes Further Action To Address Energy Arrearages During COVID-19, California Cable & Telecommunications Association, CPUC Implements Consumer Protections to Assist Residential and Small Business Customers, Workshop on COVID-19 Impacts on Customers in the Energy Sector, President Batjer Letter to AT&T regarding Legacy DSL Services Retirement, CPUC Letter to ISPs re: Affordable Broadband Plan Subscription Information, Remarks on COVID-19 Actions from Energy Division Deputy Executive Director, CPUC Letter to Program Administrators on Guidance on Energy Efficiency and Energy Savings Assistance Program Suspensions, CPUC Issues Proposal for Additional Customer Protections Due to Non-Payment, CPUC Letter to ISPs on Affordable Broadband Plans to Support Customers Affected by the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Those enrolled in certain other programs (including Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, USF, and Lifeline) are protected by the Winter Termination Program. 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. Utility Late Fee/Shutoff Moratorium Expires September 30: Now What. The California legislature approved the California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) in the 2021-2022 State Budget. The commissioners did not heed that call. 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. Sign up now! Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. Water utilities were asked to submit any disconnection plans for review this month. The decision means that utilities will not be able to shut off water, power or heat during the winter months. 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. 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.