But, thewinter moratorium doesnot apply to water utilities. by coronavirus State regulators on Tuesday extended protections against utility cutoffs for people who can't pay through April 30, 2021. 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). 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). The Utilities and Transportation Commission also. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has not announced program rules or released funds to the states. If a customer account is eligible, a credit will be automatically applied to the customer bill. "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. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. Eligible government agencies in Washington State may use our free, one-on-one Ask MRSC service to get answers to legal, policy, or financial questions. State officials recommend anyone with a shut-off notice to set up a plan now with their electric, gas or water provider. He has indicated that this will be the final extension. Links to the 2020 briefing decks presented to CPUC and CAL FIRE can be found on the utility websites below. Steve Gross joined MRSC as a Legal Consultant in January 2020. Information on testing, vaccines, and help finding appointments near you. The AGO encourages you to contact your electric or gas utility if the recent COVID-19 crisis has significantly impacted your household income because you may be newly eligible for other assistance programs. Receive MRSC's latest articles and analysis through our Weekly Insights e-newsletter. 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. We will use this information to improve this page. 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. Want to know more about the team behind MRSC or contact a specific staff member? Between November 15th and March 15th, residential customers are protected from utility shut off, At all other times, if you are experiencing financial hardship. Utilities also offer another way to stay on top of your bills called budget billing. 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 . The Proclamation 20-23 series (the proclamations) only applied to energy, telecommunications, or water services. 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. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and You may want to consider adopting a policy that will authorize you to write-off uncollectible debt. 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. 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. 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 lock icon ( Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, state and local governments have barred utility companies from shutting off services such as gas, electric and water. Also ask your electric or gas utility if you qualify for an arrearage forgiveness program or any other payment assistance program. Utilities - Billing and Collection. 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. 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. If you need assistance, please Contact the Attorney General's Office at (617) 727-2200. (Allied organizations have also submitted similar recommendations to HHS, including a letter organized by frontline advocates that NRDC also joined.). March 1 2023, Changes for 2022 Annual Reporting for Cash Basis Entities 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. For many of us, the accelerating rollout of COVID-19 vaccines provides hope for a light at the end of the tunnel. The update also adds a link to the Washington State Department of Healths Customer Assistance Program. To learn about these payment programs, and whether they are offered by your utility, please contact your utility. Six utilities serving more than 21 million Californians have announced that they will not shut off customers' power for non-payment as the coronavirus continues to disrupt daily life. 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. To leave anyone, especially children who rely on utilities to attend virtual school, without electricity or heat is unconscionable when these companies have guaranteed income and millions in revenue.. Maybe. Automatic renewals often lead to customers paying higher rates. 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. 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. If your bill lists a competitive supplier that you do not recognize, there are two possibilities. "It's just very difficult that the PSC wouldn't allow us to use our same tools," said Bessette. Anyone facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to . 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. 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. For water-sewer districts considering rate forgiveness,RCW 57.08.014requires the district to notify all ratepayers of the special rates and any associated cost shifts. 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. 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. But many utility companies have said without the threat of a shut-off notice, their bills would go unpaid. Upcoming TrainingsAttend our live webinars, virtual workshops, and in-person trainings to learn about key local government issues! For more information, please visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. For resources and updates about New Jerseys response to COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 Information Hub. March 27, 2020: Joint Letters to IOUs re: Essential Wildfire and PSPS Mitigation Work, March 20, 2020: Business Continuity and COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Response Plans. 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. 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 . We know this has been an extremely difficult time for our customers. MRSC offers a wide range of services to local governments and our contract partners in Washington State. 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;. Share this webpage and the flyer below with your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to spread the word. 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. For more information about which programs you may be eligible for, use DCA's screening tool. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The risk of disconnection disproportionately harms communities of color. The fact sheet also describes five other relevant programs: You can download the fact sheethereor view it below. 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. 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. 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. On this webpage you will find information on what the CPUC The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. Henry McMaster urged the companies in a . 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. 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. 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. New Jersey also has a COVID-19 Hotline staffed by trained healthcare professionals who are standing by to answer your questions, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week: To receive email updates from NJBPU,sign up here. Eligible government agencies can use our free one-on-one inquiry service. And commissioners said utility companies told them many customers had not set up plans for repayment during the moratorium. The actions are in response to customers who are unable to pay their utility bills during the COVID-19 economic crisis. 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. 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.. As state COVID-19 lockdown orders from Gov. Thursdays 5-0 vote extends the moratorium through the end of September for both residential and small-business customers. Applications for LIHEAP for the 2022-2023 heating season can be submitted now and throughout the winter heating season. This partnership was previously. 246; https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562021/approved/20211222a.shtml; https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/reports/covid19/Moratorium_Ending_FAQs_061421.pdf. All in all, 83 out of 578 water utilities submitted plans to shut off service for more than 9,500 customers. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Customers with higher income levels will be offered payment plans of at least one or two years. Lake Washington Sewer & Water Dist. Have a problem?Send me an email, at jmatarese@wcpo.com or message me on Facebook. 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. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy Water and other utility services already have been disconnected for at least hundreds of thousands families unable to pay these bills, with more at risk every day. Global travelers on Tripadvisor platform rank Coronado No. 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. February 22 2023. "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.". 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. Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. (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? For additional FAQs about NJBPU's processes during the COVID-19 statewide response, click here. With clear criteria, the governing body can delegate the authority to write-off the debt to staff without further involvement from the governing body. An increase in your homes energy efficiency should result in lower utility bills over time. She can be reached at 717-480-1783 or on Twitter at @candynotcandace. Most significantly, for the first time ever, Congress in December 2020 and March 2021 appropriated funds specifically for low-income water and wastewater assistance a total of $1.138 billion for an emergency Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). Those figures were roughly the same in April 2018. 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 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. 2023 Cox Media Group. That guidance was incorporated into Proclamation 20-23.6 to help utilities create their own programs. 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 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. For small business customers of an investor-owned utility, enrolling in a payment plan may protect your business from electric or gas shut off if you cannot afford your current balance. Auth. "I guess the first day he could file for eviction, he did it," she told us after receiving an eviction notice. 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? And the amount of unpaid bills had increased 67% since 2019 to $1 billion in February. It can reduce electric bills 30 to 35 percent. 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. Sign up now! 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. If your household income is between 60 to 80% of the state median income, you may be able to receive help from theGood Neighbor Energy Fund. The AGO issued a 2018reportand2019 update,and2021 updatethat found that Massachusetts customers typically lost money on competitive electric supply. Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and Pacific Power are taking the step until further notice. In California, the reported $1 billion in overdue residential bills includes about $600 million for customers of water utilities or combined water/sewer utilities, and about $400 million for customers who receive a combined bill for water and power from the same utility. Final Transition Plan Advice Letters available on. Nowak has previously urged the commission to work with the Evers administration to provide assistance to water customers in need through CARES Act funding. Please see below for contact numbers for each investor-owned electric and gas utility. concerned about the health and safety of themselves and their loved The California Public Utilities Commission also extended the power shutoff moratorium to Sept. 30, days before it was set to expire on June 30. But the vaccines are still in a race against time, with COVID-19 again resurging in many states. States should heed the same recommendations as they set up their own programs to administer LIHWAP funds. "I'm charging my cell phone in my truck when I can. So even before there was a mandate to do so, we voluntarily suspended disconnections in early March, said Janet Kim, of PSE. Only eight states have statewide water shutoff moratoria in place today. In Fields' case, her supplier put her on a payment plan so she could just pay a few dollars a month. . Unlike AMP, utility customersdo not need to applyto receive assistance under the CAPP program. If your household income is 60% or less of the state median income, you are eligible for LIHEAP. Sign up today for a digital subscription. The Utilities and Transportation Commission also ordered investor-owned utilities to continue waiving new customer deposits and late fees through Oct. 27, 2021. of Cty. 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. It allowed utilities to resume shutoffs on Nov. 9 but the ban was lifted for only three weeks before the annual winter shut-off went into effect on Dec. 1. The decision means that utilities will not be able to shut off water, power or heat during the winter months. *Note:This combined total for New York City and California is likely a conservative estimate. But she learned that if you fall behind on those payment plans, it can be lights out. All told, some $1.33 billion in past-due bills have piled up statewide. It may also violate the prohibition againstdiscriminating among similarly situated ratepayers [Hous. In addition to Texas Utility Help, the following programs exist to help people pay utilities Also: Help for Texans (TDHCA) PUC Chair Gladys Brown Dutrieuille said its time to return to the regular collections process.. 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. 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. The utility reported to the commission that 495 out of its roughly 3,000 customers would be eligible for disconnection. 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. Some page levels are currently hidden. 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) At least 30 days before assigningdebt, theutility must first attempt to notify the debtor of the existence of thedebtand that thedebtmay be assigned to a collection agency if not paid. Don't fall behind on your bills or you may find yourself in the dark.__________________________. of Cty. 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. Whats your favorite San Diego County beach? However, the California data do not include arrears for customers of wastewater-only utilities. 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 . Call your electric or gas utility immediately to enroll. Fields, meanwhile, has applied for pandemic aid through the state. Under these programs, your city or town negotiates a supply rate with a competitive supplier for its residents. 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. South Carolina utilities will stop cutting service to customers with unpaid bills during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Other CPUC Actions 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. "You don't get medical pay period when you are a temp worker," she explained. Earlier this year, the commission reported that statewide enrollment in CARE has increased 13.6 percent and FERA enrollment shot up 45 percent. Under state law, water utilities can still collect past-due bills by putting those expenses onto the property tax roll.
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