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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. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Some individual water utilities are continuing to suspend shutoffs, even after state bans expire, while some others never do shutoffs at all for non-payment. April 23, 2020: CPUC held a workshop on Impacts of COVID-19 on Customer-Oriented Clean Energy Program. If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. Whats your favorite San Diego County beach? , If you do not qualify for a low-income program, contact your electric or gas utility to learn about deferred payment arrangements. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. The Utilities and Transportation Commission also ordered investor-owned utilities to continue waiving new customer deposits and late fees through Oct. 27, 2021. For many of us, the accelerating rollout of COVID-19 vaccines provides hope for a light at the end of the tunnel. coronavirus State regulators on Tuesday extended protections against utility cutoffs for people who cant pay through April 30, 2021. 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. PSC Chair Rebecca Cameron Valcq highlighted the growing number of COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin. So, late fees for commercial customers were also prohibited during the emergency. 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. You skipped the table of contents section. 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. 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. It may also violate the prohibition againstdiscriminating among similarly situated ratepayers [Hous. If your bill lists a competitive supplier that you do not recognize, there are two possibilities. You can check outcurrent and historic basic service rates here. It can reduce electric bills 30 to 35 percent. Eligible government agencies can use our free one-on-one inquiry service. Remember that for city-owned utilities,RCW 35.67.210 and RCW 35.67.215 apply to sewage liens. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has not announced program rules or released funds to the states. 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. CPUC Industry Divisions will accept the submittal of Advice Letters and related documents by electronic mail. Ellen Nowak opposed the decision to prevent all water shutoffs during the winter months. A lock icon ( The fact sheet also describes five other relevant programs: You can download the fact sheethereor view it below. Enrollment does not prevent customers from accessing other financial programs that can help them reduce utility debt. You may want to consider adopting a policy that will authorize you to write-off uncollectible debt. On-Demand Webinars Watch pre-recorded versions of our recent webinars, at your own convenience. With expanded income eligibility for some programs, more New Jerseyans are now eligible for utility assistance. Global travelers on Tripadvisor platform rank Coronado No. 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. Tom Wolf, who opposes lifting the moratorium. Changes for 2022 Annual Reporting for Cash Basis Entities, Integrating Best Available Science: New Tools for Land Use Planning & Emergency Management, resources for utility customers behind on their payments, Collection Practices for Delinquent Utility Accounts, A Quick Guide to Utility Account Overcharges, Undercharges, and the Statute of Limitations. But she learned that if you fall behind on those payment plans, it can be lights out. For additional FAQs about NJBPU's processes during the COVID-19 statewide response, click here. 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. and utilities under its jurisdiction are doing to support communities 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. State officials recommend anyone with a shut-off notice to set up a plan now with their electric, gas or water provider. On this webpage you will find information on what the CPUC If a customer account is eligible, a credit will be automatically applied to the customer bill. 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. Thursdays 5-0 vote extends the moratorium through the end of September for both residential and small-business customers. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. LIHEAP is available this winter heating season from November 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. Call your electric or gas utility immediately to enroll. For more information, see Utilities and Landlord/Tenant Issues. Final Transition Plan Advice Letters available on. The White House is proposing to spend $5 billion to cover home energy and water. 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. Water utilities were asked to submit any disconnection plans for review this month. More than 1 million customers were eligible for termination when Wolf sent the letter a month ago. The Utilities and Transportation Commission also. (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? Governor Inslee issuedProclamation 20-23.16 on July 2, 2021, which extended the utility shutoff moratorium through September 30, 2021. We know this has been an extremely difficult time for our customers. Can a power company turn off power? 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). The Proclamation 20-23 series (the proclamations) only applied to energy, telecommunications, or water services. 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). But the vaccines are still in a race against time, with COVID-19 again resurging in many states. Links to the 2020 briefing decks presented to CPUC and CAL FIRE can be found on the utility websites below. People can apply for assistance online at TRR's website or over the phone by calling the TRR call center at 833-9TX-RENT (833-989-7368). There is no similar prohibition for sewer or storm water services. 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. If your household income is 60% or less of the state median income, you are eligible for LIHEAP. So even before there was a mandate to do so, we voluntarily suspended disconnections in early March, said Janet Kim, of PSE. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and If you need help paying your utility bills or your arrears, visit the Board of Public Utilities' Assistance Programs page. "I just want some time to get my money," she said. Since it has not been referenced in any subsequent proclamations, the guidance may not have any legal effect. Utilities in Wisconsin will once again be able to shut off services for customers who fail to pay their bills. This partnership was previously. San Diego Gas & Electric residential customer bills. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. 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. The policy should consider the variables for each type of receivable with specific criteria and internal controls in place to assure that the utilitys assets (receivables) are being safeguarded. 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. 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. Moratoriums on disconnects expiring across the US. Under state law, water utilities can still collect past-due bills by putting those expenses onto the property tax roll. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy Digging Into Public Works In-person regional forums and training resources for public works staff and local contractors. March 20, 2020: The CPUC has temporarily waived the hard copy filing requirements for our Advice Letter process. 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). Are we in violation of a law if we do not have a location that is open to the public to serve? Utilities - Billing and Collection. Lake Washington Sewer & Water Dist. *Note:This combined total for New York City and California is likely a conservative estimate. "I guess the first day he could file for eviction, he did it," she told us after receiving an eviction notice. 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 program protects specific categories of customers from having their gas or electric shut off between November 15 and March 15 of each year. The Biden administration is pushing for more economic relief, but has not yet committed to stopping shut-offs. concerned about the health and safety of themselves and their loved The fact sheet describes what is currently known of the program and will be updated as HHS releases more information. Gavin Newsom went into effect in March 2020, the utilities commission announced power companies could not disconnect services to customers for one year. Electric and gas utility contact information is provided below: You can considercontacting Mass Savefor an energy efficiency audit. Henry McMaster urged the companies in a . We know the effects of COVID are still very much front and center for many consumers, Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen said. 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. Utilities will continue to provide assistance programs. Source: Executive Order No. Commissioners said utility companies may forgive a portion of the debt for low-income customers who stay current on their payments. 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. Utilities also offer another way to stay on top of your bills called budget billing. 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. 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%. 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. Thanks for signing up. Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Preparation Plans If you are a customer of a municipal utility, call your municipal utility immediately to ask about any assistance programs that may be available. Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling. 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). 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. 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. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. However, you may want to stay with your community choice program this winter because many cities and towns currently have electricity rates that are lower than the rate available from the electric company. That guidance was incorporated into Proclamation 20-23.6 to help utilities create their own programs. Utility Collection Deferrals, Shutoffs, and Payment Plans. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. You may be eligible for assistance now, even if you have not been eligible in the past. Where available, the fact sheet provides links to federal program webpages and funding allocations to state, territorial, Tribal, and local grantees. The commission, known as the CPUC for short, extended the moratorium earlier this year but it was set to run out June 30. Some utilities stated they have been helping customers. Share this webpage and the flyer below with your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to spread the word. 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. With clear criteria, the governing body can delegate the authority to write-off the debt to staff without further involvement from the governing body. 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. In California and New York City alone, for example, residential water arrears total over $1.6 billion, with over 1.7 million households affected. Maybe. Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling COVID-19 are running out of options. (Since interest is generally considered to be a penalty for non-payment it is probably included in "late fees.") There is no similar prohibition for sewer or storm water services. of King v. Ne. 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. PRA/OPMA E-Learning Courses Free video courses for city/town elected officials on the Public Records Act (PRA) and Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA). We will be monitoring very closely the extent to which state and federal funding efforts address the debt that consumers face, Rechtschaffen said. A utility company generally can't turn off the heat, electricity or power during cold or hot weather. 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. For more information on community choice electric plans, also known as municipal aggregations, visit this website maintained by the Department of Public Utilities here. 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. The order also applies to small-business customers who have bills at least 60 days past due. 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. 2023 www.goerie.com. Anyone facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to . The number of people affected is alarming, according to a letter sent to the commission from Gov. 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. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. Use this button to show and access all levels. Mashelle Fields is one of them, living off batteries and borrowed power in her apartment. 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. 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. However, if a customer misses more than two payments in their COVID-19 relief plan, they can be kicked out of the plan. Visithereor the Cold Relief Heatline at (800) 632-8175 to find your local community action agency where you can apply for LIHEAP. 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. 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. In addition to your utility, you can contact the Department of Public Utilitiesat877-886-5066, or completetheir online complaint form. For county-owned utilities, RCW 36.94.150 authorizes a lien for sewerage and water. 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. Is there a process for cities to write-off bad debt? The grace period for residential cable and internet for customers with school-aged children ended on December 31, 2021. Water Utilities Will Not Be Able To Disconnect Service After PSC Vote. June 30, 2021: Emergency Customer Protections expire. 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.. 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. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Why is my BGE bill so high 2021? In the past MRSC has written that a utility is required to collect a past-due amount and that failing to do so may violate Article VIII section 7of the state constitution, which prohibits a government agency from gifting public funds. (Allied organizations have also submitted similar recommendations to HHS, including a letter organized by frontline advocates that NRDC also joined.). keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. Also, if a customer enters into a payment plan with their provider, many . 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. Consumer advocates want to make sure all utilities are required to offer longer payment plans and forgive debt. Utility Late Fee/Shutoff Moratorium Expires September 30: Now What. Maintaining access to water and other essential utility services remains as vital as ever to safeguard public health, as the pandemic continues. CPUC response letter that delays an already scheduled natural gas rate increase for Southern California Gas Company and SDG&E small business customers for 120 days to help reduce natural gas bills during the crisis. Boeings CEO is missing out on a $7 million bonus because the companys new large jet is behind schedule, Louisiana Gov. 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. Plus, if they wish to accelerate or make larger payments, they may do so. Gov. 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. HARRISBURGThe moratorium on utility shutoffs expires at the end of the month, leaving more than 1 million Pennsylvania households at risk of losing their electricity, gas, water and telephone service. In these unsettling and unprecedented times, many people are Unlike AMP, utility customersdo not need to applyto receive assistance under the CAPP program. "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. April 1, 2021: Electric, gas, and water utilities submit final Emergency Utility Customer Protection Transition Plan Advice Letters to CPUC. 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. We want all Massachusetts residents to be aware of thenew and expanded programs available to assist them in paying their home heating bills. But, thewinter moratorium doesnot apply to water utilities. February 22 2023. CAPP dedicates $1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to address Californian's energy debts. NRDC and the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) have just published a new fact sheet summarizing six federal COVID-19 relief programs that are either dedicated to, or can be used for, low income water and wastewater assistance. NRDC and NCLC have submitted recommendations to HHS on how to implement LIHWAP equitably and efficiently. Don't fall behind on your bills or you may find yourself in the dark.__________________________. Utilities resume the issuance of late payment notifications to customers and collection activities. Bessette said that puts utilities in a tough spot with landlords whose tenants can't or won't pay. (Getty Images) Paying . 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. 8, even as sewage contamination led to closures for 35 days last year. But if you are falling behind on utilities, get help as soon as possible so you are not shut off. The California Public Utilities Commission also extended the power shutoff moratorium to Sept. 30, days before it was set to expire on June 30. State Disclosures, Senior Attorney and Director, Urban Water Infrastructure, People & Communities Program. One water system has already said that it will resume shutoffs the next day. Last month, Ayanna McClure learned how quickly landlords were filing eviction notices when the moratoriums expired. 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. Try now to get LIHEAP funds, Dollar Energy Fund help or emergency assistance, they said. 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. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Gov. 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. Have a problem?Send me an email, at jmatarese@wcpo.com or message me on Facebook. For more information about the Winter Termination Program, call 800-624-0241. The move comes after S.C. Gov. 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. He has indicated that this will be the final extension. Customers should consider the following: Replaced outdated light bulbs with ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. 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;. 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. 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. Southern states are more frequently turning to pay-to-use express lanes as a way to address highway congestion without raising taxes. Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. The actions are in response to customers who are unable to pay their utility bills during the COVID-19 economic crisis. Visitwww.mass211.orgor dial 211 to find your local agency. Plus, more than half the amount owed comes from customers not enrolled in assistance programs that help defray utility bills. In Fields' case, her supplier put her on a payment plan so she could just pay a few dollars a month. But Dutrieuille and the commission approved a motion that will allow customers to stretch out payment plans and keep on their services. June 17, 2020: The CPUC presented its COVID-19 response. during these challenging times.