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Visithereor the Cold Relief Heatline at (800) 632-8175 to find your local community action agency where you can apply for LIHEAP. Moratoriums on electric shutoffs now expiring, Despite the continuing pandemic, Duke and other utilities are now disconnecting customers falling behind, as state moratoriums expire. CAPP dedicates $1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to address Californian's energy debts. Why is my BGE bill so high 2021? 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 Natural Resources Defense Council works to safeguard the earth - its people, If you need assistance, please Contact the Attorney General's Office at (617) 727-2200. Earlier this month, the Legislature earmarked $1 billion in the upcoming 2022 state budget to help Californians pay overdue utility bills. John Fetterman, a progressive who is running for U.S. Senate in 2022, said utility companies should be cooperative and understanding with Pennsylvanians in need. 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. For more information about which programs you may be eligible for, use DCA's screening tool. of Cty. 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. 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. The California Public Utilities Commission also extended the power shutoff moratorium to Sept. 30, days before it was set to expire on June 30. Call your electric or gas utility immediately to enroll. 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The four-month lien limit on water services (enforceable only by water shut-off) is extended by: The period in which the lien may be imposed is the later of: (a) Three months from the expiration of the emergency declaration preventing collection or a lien; or (b) Three months of the ratepayer's failure to abide by the terms of an agreed payment plan, if the payment plan for past due charges would have allowed the ratepayer to repay the past due charges over a period of six months or more. Gavin Newsom went into effect in March 2020, the utilities commission announced power companies could not disconnect services to customers for one year. March 17, 2020: CPUC Ensures Essential Utility Services for Consumers to Assist in COVID-19 Mitigation. 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 a customer of a municipal utility, call your municipal utility immediately to ask about any assistance programs that may be available. FERA is open to customers whose household incomes slightly exceed those eligible for CARE. Some page levels are currently hidden. You skipped the table of contents section. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and renters pay for utility and heating bills. May 7, 2020: Free and affordable Internet access and devices are crucial for low income students as they transition to learning from home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Since interest is generally considered to be a penalty for non-payment it is probably included in late fees.). The extension of the moratorium on shutoffs has been met with frustration by some, including Jason Bessette, general manager of New London Utilities. Your electric or gas utility may be able to arrange a new payment plan that you can afford and, at the same time, the utility can also check your eligibility to participate in a range of payment assistance programs (see discussion below about available residential electric or gas payment assistance programs). However, the question remains as to what actions local utilities can take to collect past-due amounts. 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. The White House is proposing to spend $5 billion to cover home energy and water. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Consider solar energy to reduce electricity usage. As an alternative to the collection provisions in that section, RCW 36.94.150(3) allows the county to adopt the procedures in RCW 35.67.290 for collection. 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%. She is borrowing electricity from down the hall to keep her food from spoiling. Coronavirus in SC: Utilities stop shutoffs of water, power - The State by If you qualify as income eligible, there are several programs, including: (1) Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a federally-funded program that helps Massachusetts residents pay their heating bills; (2) the low-income discount rate program for investor-owned electric and gas utility customers; and (3) arrearage management programs (AMPs) for investor-owned electric and gas utility customers. PUC Chair Gladys Brown Dutrieuille said its time to return to the regular collections process.. 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. Gov. Can bge disconnect service winter? Explained by Sharing Culture The proclamations also did not prohibit any utility from disconnecting water, power, or telecommunications service if the customer does not comply with the terms of a payment plan. 8, even as sewage contamination led to closures for 35 days last year. In Fields' case, her supplier put her on a payment plan so she could just pay a few dollars a month. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program payments were down 40% compared to the previous year, according to PUC data. Tony Evers invested $15 million in CARES Act funding to the state's Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program in order to help residents pay their heating bills. Lt. Gov. Customers should make payments toward their utility bills if they can. 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. OLYMPIA, WA - With a bipartisan 64-31 vote, the Washington State House passed a bill to ensure a utility operator cannot shut off power or water when the National Weather Service issues a heat-related warning or alert. The state Department of Human Services has worked with counties to make available the money in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the $270 million infusion to LIHEAP from the federal American Relief Plan. California Public Utilities Commission COVID-19 But, thewinter moratorium doesnot apply to water utilities. 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. (Getty Images) Paying . Steve Gross joined MRSC as a Legal Consultant in January 2020. San Diego Gas & Electric residential customer bills. But the majority of these orders are . New Jersey has again extended its moratorium on companies shutting off residents' utilities through June 30, as the state continues to cope with the coronavirus pandemic one year after the . In this post, well focus on what effect (if any) the proclamations have on your existing collections process. Auth. 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. The Energy 202: Biden under pressure to stop utility shutoffs during 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. 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. Valcq pointed out that similar assistance programs do not exist for water customers. 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. Since it has not been referenced in any subsequent proclamations, the guidance may not have any legal effect. The actions are in response to customers who are unable to pay their utility bills during the COVID-19 economic crisis. The California legislature approved the California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) in the 2021-2022 State Budget. 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. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. How to apply for rent and utility bill assistance in Texas But she learned that if you fall behind on those payment plans, it can be lights out. A second possibility is that you are receiving supply from a competitive supplier that markets and sells to individual customers. Whats your favorite San Diego County beach? Ellen Nowak opposed the decision to prevent all water shutoffs during the winter months. Water utilities were asked to submit any disconnection plans for review this month. Find information on what the CPUC and utilities under its jurisdiction are doing to support communities during these challenging times. South Carolina utilities will stop cutting service to customers with unpaid bills during the novel coronavirus pandemic. On this webpage you will find information on what the CPUC June 17, 2020: The CPUC presented its COVID-19 response. HEAP Energy Assistance NYC311 - Government of New York City Payment plans can help avoid service shut-offs. The risk of disconnection disproportionately harms communities of color. These programs are voluntary, and you can opt out at any time. On-Demand Webinars Watch pre-recorded versions of our recent webinars, at your own convenience. All in all, 83 out of 578 water utilities submitted plans to shut off service for more than 9,500 customers. If your household income is 60% or less of the state median income, you are eligible for LIHEAP. Also, if a customer enters into a payment plan with their provider, many . We know this has been an extremely difficult time for our customers. Fields, meanwhile, has applied for pandemic aid through the state. If you have been switched without your permission, you should file a complaint with the Department of Public Utilities. He has indicated that this will be the final extension. But if you are falling behind on utilities, get help as soon as possible so you are not shut off. In addition to your utility, you can contact the Department of Public Utilitiesat877-886-5066, or completetheir online complaint form. 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. Based on the plain language of the proclamations this is how we think they affect the utilities once the prohibitions expire. PSC Chair Rebecca Cameron Valcq highlighted the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. 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. Please do not include personal or contact information. March 20, 2020: The CPUC has temporarily waived the hard copy filing requirements for our Advice Letter process. Tom Wolf, who opposes lifting the moratorium. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, https://www.dhs.pa.gov/coronavirus/Pages/Emergency-Rental-Assistance-Program.aspx, Fully vaccinated Pennsylvanians can gather without masks, but only in these situations, COVID-19 vaccine motivation: Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts for showing vaccination card, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. coronavirus State regulators on Tuesday extended protections against utility cutoffs for people who can't pay through April 30, 2021. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. 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.. The electric utilities are responsible for operating their systems, including the decision to conduct a Public Safety Power Shutoff as a last resort. 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In California and New York City alone, for example, residential water arrears total over $1.6 billion, with over 1.7 million households affected. With one call or click you can get a personalized answer from one of our trusted attorneys, policy consultants, or finance experts! 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. Those balances amounted to $235.7 million. Utility Late Fee/Shutoff Moratorium Expires September 30: Now What? Can it be done by appointment? The fact sheet also describes five other relevant programs: You can download the fact sheethereor view it below. Global travelers on Tripadvisor platform rank Coronado No. That guidance was incorporated into Proclamation 20-23.6 to help utilities create their own programs. Can a power company turn off power? 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. To learn about these payment programs, and whether they are offered by your utility, please contact your utility. 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. update email soon. Pa. lifts moratorium on pandemic shutoffs and allows utilities to N.J. ban on utility shutoffs to end soon. Here's how to seek help if One water system has already said that it will resume shutoffs the next day. 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. Any utilities who may disconnect service once the winter moratorium ends would also have to submit those plans to regulators by Feb. 15. 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. 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. 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. For many of us, the accelerating rollout of COVID-19 vaccines provides hope for a light at the end of the tunnel. Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling COVID-19 are running out of options. 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. 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;. Other assistance programs for income-eligible customers are available year-round through investor-owned gas and electric utilities, including a low-income discount rate program, which helps make bills more manageable, and an arrearage management program (AMP), which helps customers who have an unpaid balance on their bill and are struggling to pay. 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. "You don't get medical pay period when you are a temp worker," she explained. Have a problem?Send me an email, at jmatarese@wcpo.com or message me on Facebook. In the first quarter of this year, more than 3.3 million residential customers of the states big four utilities have fallen behind on their bills: Applying SDG&Es figure to its overall residential customer total of about 1.326 million, that means 36.6 percent of SDG&E residential customers are in arrears. April 1, 2021: Electric, gas, and water utilities submit final Emergency Utility Customer Protection Transition Plan Advice Letters to CPUC. We will Governor Inslee issuedProclamation 20-23.16 on July 2, 2021, which extended the utility shutoff moratorium through September 30, 2021. 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. The order protects consumers who may not be able to pay for their water service from shutoffs. 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. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. concerned about the health and safety of themselves and their loved 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. 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. If you need help paying your utility bills or your arrears, visit the Board of Public Utilities' Assistance Programs page. State Regulators Bar All Utilities From Shutting Off Water, Power And We will use this information to improve this page. Commissioners said utility companies may forgive a portion of the debt for low-income customers who stay current on their payments. If you are homebound, you may request a home visit to apply for HEAP. Customers should consider the following: Replaced outdated light bulbs with ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs. 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. We know the effects of COVID are still very much front and center for many consumers, Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen said. Do we have to have a location open during this time to accept papers? Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. A lock icon ( Earlier this month, Gov. 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. For more information on community choice electric plans, also known as municipal aggregations, visit this website maintained by the Department of Public Utilities here. February 22 2023. 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 program protects specific categories of customers from having their gas or electric shut off between November 15 and March 15 of each year. 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. 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. Where available, the fact sheet provides links to federal program webpages and funding allocations to state, territorial, Tribal, and local grantees. 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 . Can't pay your power bill? Don't worry, you're safe for now as The Proclamation 20-23 series (the proclamations) only applied to energy, telecommunications, or water services. Most of the assistance is provided through new, emergency programs, although some is provided through pre-existing programs. , One possibility is that you are participating in your city or towns community choice electric plan. To be eligible for your electric or gas utilitys low-income discount rate program or the arrearage management program (AMP), you must either qualify for LIHEAP funding, or receive food, cash, or medical benefits from the state. As a quick refresher, take a look at MRSCs Collection Practices for Delinquent Utility Accountswebpage, our Utility Liens and Shutoffs Tool, and our February 22, 2021 blog:A Quick Guide to Utility Account Overcharges, Undercharges, and the Statute of Limitations. The proclamations did not prohibit disconnecting sewer and storm services (if practical) for non-payment. * Unsurprisingly, when California examined its statewide data, low-income communities of color had disproportionately high levels of household water debt. 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. 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. HEAP is a seasonal program. This chart from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)provides more detailed household income information. In the case of small businesses in disadvantaged communities, the payment cannot exceed 5 percent of the customers average monthly bill. Receive MRSC's latest articles and analysis through our Weekly Insights e-newsletter. 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. of King v. Ne. Upcoming TrainingsAttend our live webinars, virtual workshops, and in-person trainings to learn about key local government issues! Editor's note: This blog has been updated to remove references tostate guidance related to the creation of COVID-19 customer support programs. 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.