This partnership was previously. 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. Bessette said that puts utilities in a tough spot with landlords whose tenants can't or won't pay. Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. 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. Visitwww.mass211.orgor dial 211 to find your local agency. 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. Boeings CEO is missing out on a $7 million bonus because the companys new large jet is behind schedule, Louisiana Gov. Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Preparation Plans If you receive residential electric or gas service through a municipal utility, contact them directly to find out more about their shut-off policy and to hear about available payment assistance programs. The White House is proposing to spend $5 billion to cover home energy and water. 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. 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. during these challenging times. Are we in violation of a law if we do not have a location that is open to the public to serve? 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. Thanks for signing up. March 17, 2020: CPUC Ensures Essential Utility Services for Consumers to Assist in COVID-19 Mitigation. Income eligibility is evaluated based on your gross household income for the past 4 weeks. Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. 2023 Cox Media Group. of King v. Ne. Based on the plain language of the proclamations this is how we think they affect the utilities once the prohibitions expire. But she learned that if you fall behind on those payment plans, it can be lights out. Also, if a customer enters into a payment plan with their provider, many . 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. 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. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and renters pay for utility and heating bills. Those balances amounted to $235.7 million. Eligible government agencies can use our free one-on-one inquiry service. concerned about the health and safety of themselves and their loved For additional FAQs about NJBPU's processes during the COVID-19 statewide response, click here. 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. "When we have public health experts telling us that one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of the virus is frequent hand washing, I don't know how in good conscience and based on that public health guidance we can allow utility service to be disconnected," said Valcq. We will be monitoring very closely the extent to which state and federal funding efforts address the debt that consumers face, Rechtschaffen said. 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;. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. This is true even if you are behind on rent. 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. 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. * Unsurprisingly, when California examined its statewide data, low-income communities of color had disproportionately high levels of household water debt. (Allied organizations have also submitted similar recommendations to HHS, including a letter organized by frontline advocates that NRDC also joined.). The Proclamation 20-23 series (the proclamations) only applied to energy, telecommunications, or water services. Under state law, water utilities can still collect past-due bills by putting those expenses onto the property tax roll. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. The utility reported to the commission that 495 out of its roughly 3,000 customers would be eligible for disconnection. Inflation and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine are driving up fossil fuel prices and in turn energy rates for customers across the country this winter. Individual competitive suppliers (in other words, suppliers that are not part of a community choice program) often charge higher rates than your utilitys rates. Customers should consider the following: Replaced outdated light bulbs with ENERGY STAR certified light bulbs. 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. We will 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 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. Whats your favorite San Diego County beach? In the case of small businesses in disadvantaged communities, the payment cannot exceed 5 percent of the customers average monthly bill. Call your electric or gas utility immediately to enroll. 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). 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. ones. He also has been a legal policy advisor for the Pierce County Council and has worked in contract administration. Sign up now! Enrollment does not prevent customers from accessing other financial programs that can help them reduce utility debt. Customers should make payments toward their utility bills if they can. MRSC has consolidated additional information in the Utility Collection Deferrals, Shutoffs, and Payment Plans section of our COVID-19 Small Business and Tenant Assistance Programs webpage. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Water utilities were asked to submit any disconnection plans for review this month. 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. 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). , The CPUCs oversight consists of ensuring that the utilities are clear about the rules they must adhere to, monitoring the utilities preparation, and evaluating their implementation. 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. State Disclosures, Senior Attorney and Director, Urban Water Infrastructure, People & Communities Program. In addition to requesting assistance from your electric or gas utility, residential customers should also contact their local community action agency, as there may be funds available to assist households who earn more than 60 % of the state median income, but still need assistance paying their bills. Consider solar energy to reduce electricity usage. You can check outcurrent and historic basic service rates here. Other CPUC Actions The more you pay now the less you will have to make up later. For county-owned utilities, RCW 36.94.150 authorizes a lien for sewerage and water. 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. "It just makes this problem compounding for the individual, and it's making the utility look like more of a bad guy in my eyes.". 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. by And while they applied to water and sewer districts as well as other municipally-owned utilities, the proclamations did not specifically include sewer or stormwater services. If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. Find information on what the CPUC and utilities under its jurisdiction are doing to support communities during these challenging times. Aug. 13, 2020, at 12:14 p.m. Bills to Stop Paying During Coronavirus. Please do not include personal or contact information. 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. Utilities resume the issuance of late payment notifications to customers and collection activities. Can I get help paying my utilities? Please let us know how we can improve this page. For many of us, the accelerating rollout of COVID-19 vaccines provides hope for a light at the end of the tunnel. Murphy was set to sign an executive order Monday that ends the 15-month moratorium on utility shut-offs on July 1, but creates a grace period through Dec. 31 for residents to sign up for a. Maintaining access to water and other essential utility services remains as vital as ever to safeguard public health, as the pandemic continues. 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. Puget Sound Energy reported giving $7.6 million in bill credits to nearly 14,000 customers. In Fields' case, her supplier put her on a payment plan so she could just pay a few dollars a month. 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. 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. Valcq pointed out that similar assistance programs do not exist for water customers. 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. Unlike AMP, utility customersdo not need to applyto receive assistance under the CAPP program. Some utilities stated they have been helping customers. . 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. Visithereor the Cold Relief Heatline at (800) 632-8175 to find your local community action agency where you can apply for LIHEAP. 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. Last month, Ayanna McClure learned how quickly landlords were filing eviction notices when the moratoriums expired. For more information about the Winter Termination Program, call 800-624-0241. More than 1 million customers were eligible for termination when Wolf sent the letter a month ago. Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and Pacific Power are taking the step until further notice. Remember that for city-owned utilities,RCW 35.67.210 and RCW 35.67.215 apply to sewage liens. 2023 www.goerie.com. Since it has not been referenced in any subsequent proclamations, the guidance may not have any legal effect. 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. 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. State officials recommend anyone with a shut-off notice to set up a plan now with their electric, gas or water provider. You can also go towww.heatinghelpma.orgto find more information about your local community action agency and eligibility. February 22 2023. You skipped the table of contents section. 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). 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. The risk of disconnection disproportionately harms communities of color. Additionally, the period in which the lien may be imposed was amended this year by the legislature (see HB 1069, section 15). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has not announced program rules or released funds to the states. For more information, see Utilities and Landlord/Tenant Issues. "I just want some time to get my money," she said. Using Electronic Signatures During Emergencies, Woodward says Spokane economic recovery continues, but problems loom. 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 addition, more than 5,000 utility customers statewide have received $2.8 million from the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program that helps renters with unpaid bills and California was allocated $1.5 billion through the American Rescue Plan Act that homeowners can apply to utility bill relief. Please limit your input to 500 characters. keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. On-Demand Webinars Watch pre-recorded versions of our recent webinars, at your own convenience. Fields, meanwhile, has applied for pandemic aid through the state. Candy Woodall is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania Capital Bureau. If you are a small business customer that receives electric or gas service through a municipal utility, call your municipal utility to see what programs they offer to help avoid disconnection. coronavirus State regulators on Tuesday extended protections against utility cutoffs for people who can't pay through April 30, 2021. Any person who is making good faith efforts should never have their services shut off, he said. You, or someone in your home, is seriously ill; You have an infant under 12 months in your home; and, All adults in the home are age 65 or older, Customers who are interested in installing solar panels or enrolling with community solar programs should visit the AGs Office FAQ with consumer tips at, This chart from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), In addition to requesting assistance from your electric or gas utility, residential customers should also contact their local community action agency, as there may be funds available to assist households who earn more than 60 % of the state median income, but still need assistance paying their bills. With clear criteria, the governing body can delegate the authority to write-off the debt to staff without further involvement from the governing body. The utility shutoff grace period ended on March 15, 2022 for all water, electric, and sewer customers. Utilities will continue to provide assistance programs. The fact sheet describes what is currently known of the program and will be updated as HHS releases more information. All rights reserved. Keep updated on the latest news and information. 246; https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562021/approved/20211222a.shtml; https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/reports/covid19/Moratorium_Ending_FAQs_061421.pdf. Plus, more than half the amount owed comes from customers not enrolled in assistance programs that help defray utility bills. The Governor's Executive Order establishes a six-month grace period in which no residential customer will face disconnection of their gas, electric, or water services before the end of the grace period on December 31, 2021. Suggestions are presented as an open option list only when they are available. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. However, if a customer misses more than two payments in their COVID-19 relief plan, they can be kicked out of the plan. 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. All told, some $1.33 billion in past-due bills have piled up statewide. Applications for LIHEAP for the 2022-2023 heating season can be submitted now and throughout the winter heating season. A lock icon ( To learn about these payment programs, and whether they are offered by your utility, please contact your utility. When the state reopened in mid-June, Newsom quietly extended the moratorium on water shutoffs to Sept. 30. 8, even as sewage contamination led to closures for 35 days last year. For businesses, the plan ensures that the monthly payment does not exceed 10 percent of the customers average monthly bill. As state COVID-19 lockdown orders from Gov. According toRCW 19.16.500(1)(b),utilities may also add a reasonable collections fee to the outstandingdebt. In addition to your utility, you can contact the Department of Public Utilitiesat877-886-5066, or completetheir online complaint form. 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 . If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Utilities also offer another way to stay on top of your bills called budget billing. Category: Don't fall behind on your bills or you may find yourself in the dark.__________________________. By February 25, 2021, IOUs shall submit drafts of Transition Plan Advice Letters to CPUC staff (, Jan. 22, 2021: Comments on Draft Resolution M-4849. 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. We want all Massachusetts residents to be aware of thenew and expanded programs available to assist them in paying their home heating bills. 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. That guidance was incorporated into Proclamation 20-23.6 to help utilities create their own programs. For resources and updates about New Jerseys response to COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 Information Hub. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. In this post, well focus on what effect (if any) the proclamations have on your existing collections process. 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. LIHEAP is available this winter heating season from November 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. 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.