Board of Public Utilities | Newsroom & Public Notices Nowak has previously urged the commission to work with the Evers administration to provide assistance to water customers in need through CARES Act funding. In this post, well focus on what effect (if any) the proclamations have on your existing collections process. Consider solar energy to reduce electricity usage. But tens of millions of people are continuing to accumulate tens of billions of dollars of overdue utility bills. 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 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.. This blog is co-authored by Larry Levine (NRDC) and Olivia Wein (National Consumer Law Center). 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 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) COVID-19 - California Public Utilities Commission With clear criteria, the governing body can delegate the authority to write-off the debt to staff without further involvement from the governing body. 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. Southern states are more frequently turning to pay-to-use express lanes as a way to address highway congestion without raising taxes. Ellen Nowak opposed the decision to prevent all water shutoffs during the winter months. coronavirus State regulators on Tuesday extended protections against utility cutoffs for people who cant pay through April 30, 2021. Please let us know how we can improve this page. Can a power company turn off power? . 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. Between November 15th and March 15th, residential customers are protected from utility shut off, At all other times, if you are experiencing financial hardship. Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling COVID-19 are running out of options. You skipped the table of contents section. SDG&E asking regulator to increase rates starting next year, Heres how much lower your SDG&E bill might be in March, SDG&E kicks in $16 million of shareholder funds to help financially strapped customers, Behind on your SDG&E utility bill? For businesses, the plan ensures that the monthly payment does not exceed 10 percent of the customers average monthly bill. 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. 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. HEAP Energy Assistance NYC311 - Government of New York City She is borrowing electricity from down the hall to keep her food from spoiling. Residential customers making payments under payment plans with their investor-owned electric or gas utility will remain protected from shut-off as long as they make payments under the payment schedule. The order protects consumers who may not be able to pay for their water service from shutoffs. Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling. 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 proclamations did not prohibit disconnecting sewer and storm services (if practical) for non-payment. If you are served by a municipal utility, it may or may not be shutting off customers for unpaid bills. 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. 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). April 23, 2020: CPUC held a workshop on Impacts of COVID-19 on Customer-Oriented Clean Energy Program. Using Electronic Signatures During Emergencies, Woodward says Spokane economic recovery continues, but problems loom. Whats your favorite San Diego County beach? Most Massachusetts investor-owned electric and gas utility companies offer deferred payment arrangements which allow the customer to set up a customized, manageable payment plan. Fields, meanwhile, has applied for pandemic aid through the state. Anyone facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to . Don't fall behind on your bills or you may find yourself in the dark.__________________________. 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. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. The actions are in response to customers who are unable to pay their utility bills during the COVID-19 economic crisis. The electric utilities are responsible for operating their systems, including the decision to conduct a Public Safety Power Shutoff as a last resort. For more information about which programs you may be eligible for, use DCA's screening tool. 229; Executive Order No. Any utilities who may disconnect service once the winter moratorium ends would also have to submit those plans to regulators by Feb. 15. . Have a problem?Send me an email, at jmatarese@wcpo.com or message me on Facebook. Hochul announces rollout of electric and gas utility bill credits for Bessette said that puts utilities in a tough spot with landlords whose tenants can't or won't pay. Those figures were roughly the same in April 2018. The decision means that utilities will not be able to shut off water, power or heat during the winter months. 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. Receive MRSC's latest articles and analysis through our Weekly Insights e-newsletter. SBA COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources, California Department of Public Health (CDPH), California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), News and Outreach Office (Allied organizations have also submitted similar recommendations to HHS, including a letter organized by frontline advocates that NRDC also joined.). Southern California Edison Public Safety Power Shutoffs Webpage, San Diego Gas & Electric Public Safety Power Shutoffs Webpage, Bear Valley Electric Service Public Safety Power Shutoffs Webpage, Liberty Utilities Wildfire Mitigation Page, PacifiCorp California Public Safety Power Shutoffs Webpage, The Governors Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response website for small businesses. Maintaining access to water and other essential utility services remains as vital as ever to safeguard public health, as the pandemic continues. 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. "You don't get medical pay period when you are a temp worker," she explained. 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. In addition to your utility, you can contact the Department of Public Utilitiesat877-886-5066, or completetheir online complaint form. In such circumstances, a lien may be filed for all charges due during the period covered by the declaration and may be effective for six months after the expiration of the declaration of the emergency. It may also violate the prohibition againstdiscriminating among similarly situated ratepayers [Hous. 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. Click here for more on competitive electric suppliers. But in cities and towns all around the country in Texas, Ohio, Indiana, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Illinois, and more utilities have resumed cutting off water when people cant afford to pay. 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. 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