Lake Washington Sewer & Water Dist. "I didn't have the $300 they needed," she said. Utilities resume the issuance of late payment notifications to customers and collection activities. March 1 2023, Changes for 2022 Annual Reporting for Cash Basis Entities The risk of disconnection disproportionately harms communities of color. SDG&E spokeswoman Sara Prince said the utility supports the CPUCs moves. For FAQs on the end of the moratorium and the six-month grace period, click here. John Bel Edwards is traveling to Asia for a weeklong series of meetings with business leaders and policymakers in the hopes of growing foreign investment, Stocks rallied on Wall Street, climbing to their biggest gain in six weeks, Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSign Up For Our NewslettersSite Map, Copyright 2023, The San Diego Union-Tribune |. You can also go towww.heatinghelpma.orgto find more information about your local community action agency and eligibility. To help bridge this divide, the CPUC approved a partnership with the Department of Education to fund $5 million in devices for students in need. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program payments were down 40% compared to the previous year, according to PUC data. Global travelers on Tripadvisor platform rank Coronado No. Candy Woodall is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania Capital Bureau. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy Check back for updates as more information becomes available. 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. Under these programs, your city or town negotiates a supply rate with a competitive supplier for its residents. February 27 2023, Integrating Best Available Science: New Tools for Land Use Planning & Emergency Management You may want to consider adopting a policy that will authorize you to write-off uncollectible debt. If your bill lists a competitive supplier that you do not recognize, there are two possibilities. If your household income is 60% or less of the state median income, you are eligible for LIHEAP. and utilities under its jurisdiction are doing to support communities 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. 2023 Cox Media Group. 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. Plus, more than half the amount owed comes from customers not enrolled in assistance programs that help defray utility bills. 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). 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.. Steve Gross The Utilities and Transportation Commission also ordered investor-owned utilities to continue waiving new customer deposits and late fees through Oct. 27, 2021. Aug. 13, 2020, at 12:14 p.m. Bills to Stop Paying During Coronavirus. Massachusetts consumers should also take steps to avoid an automatic renewal of their supply contract. Not only did many customers with overdue bills not set up payment plans with their utility companies, they also did not seek much help in coming up with the money. 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. BGE Customers With Disconnected Service Can Get Service Restored During COVID-19 Pandemic. MRSC offers a wide range of services to local governments and our contract partners in Washington State. There is no similar prohibition for sewer or storm water services. When the remaining state or local moratoria are lifted, residential water customers who lose shutoff protections will face billions of dollars in arrears. Category: 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. coronavirus State regulators on Tuesday extended protections against utility cutoffs for people who can't pay through April 30, 2021. (Since interest is generally considered to be a penalty for non-payment it is probably included in late fees.). For more information, please visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. San Francisco, CA 94102, Utility Business Continuity Plans and PSPS Preparation, CPUC Mobilizes Community Based Organizations for Pilot Program To Help Consumers With Utility Debt, CPUC Executive Director Letter Concerning Extension of Moratorium on Disconnection for Non-Payment and Fees for Late Payment for Voice Service Through February 15, 2022, CPUC Acts To Ensure Essential Utility Services for Consumers at Risk of Disconnections, CPUC Actions to Protect Customers During the COVID-19 Pandemic; Utility Disconnection Moratoria and Arrearage Management - Presentation at CPUC Voting Meeting, CPUC Executive Director Letter Extending Moratorium on Disconnection for Non-Payment and Fees for Late Payment for Voice Service through September 30, 2021, CPUC Provides Relief for Customers Who Have Energy Bill Debt, https://liob.cpuc.ca.gov/m-4849-utility-transition-plans/, Executive Director Letter to IOUs on Direction to Conduct Customer Data Validation for Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Executive Director Letter Extending Moratorium on Disconnection for Non-Payment and Fees for Late Payment for Voice Service (Resolution M-4848) Through July 15, 2021, CPUC Extends Emergency Utility Customer Protections and Takes Further Action To Address Energy Arrearages During COVID-19, California Cable & Telecommunications Association, CPUC Implements Consumer Protections to Assist Residential and Small Business Customers, Workshop on COVID-19 Impacts on Customers in the Energy Sector, President Batjer Letter to AT&T regarding Legacy DSL Services Retirement, CPUC Letter to ISPs re: Affordable Broadband Plan Subscription Information, Remarks on COVID-19 Actions from Energy Division Deputy Executive Director, CPUC Letter to Program Administrators on Guidance on Energy Efficiency and Energy Savings Assistance Program Suspensions, CPUC Issues Proposal for Additional Customer Protections Due to Non-Payment, CPUC Letter to ISPs on Affordable Broadband Plans to Support Customers Affected by the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Maybe. Utilities will continue to provide assistance programs. Auth. Want to know more about the team behind MRSC or contact a specific staff member? She is borrowing electricity from down the hall to keep her food from spoiling. In the case of small businesses in disadvantaged communities, the payment cannot exceed 5 percent of the customers average monthly bill. 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. Plus, if they wish to accelerate or make larger payments, they may do so. To learn about these payment programs, and whether they are offered by your utility, please contact your utility. For questions or comments, contact WPRs Audience Services at 1-800-747-7444, email listener@wpr.org or use our Listener Feedback form. A lock icon ( This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Gavin Newsom went into effect in March 2020, the utilities commission announced power companies could not disconnect services to customers for one year. Thank you for your website feedback! Use this button to show and access all levels. 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. 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 is true even if you are behind on rent. She can be reached at 717-480-1783 or on Twitter at @candynotcandace. 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. Sign up now! When the state reopened in mid-June, Newsom quietly extended the moratorium on water shutoffs to Sept. 30. Lake Washington Sewer & Water Dist., 784 P.2d 1284 (Wash. Ct. App. She's argued for more targeted solutions to provide assistance to customers in need, highlighting that utilities are required to work out a down payment plan with customers during the pandemic. 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. Some utilities stated they have been helping customers. Utilities in Wisconsin will once again be able to shut off services for customers who fail to pay their bills. 8, even as sewage contamination led to closures for 35 days last year. Utility Collection Deferrals, Shutoffs, and Payment Plans. 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. Please limit your input to 500 characters. 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. The good news: After we confirmed to Fields' provider that she would be getting pandemic aid to pay the bill, the utility agreed to restore her electricity. The grace period for residential cable and internet for customers with school-aged children ended on December 31, 2021. 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. Moratoriums on electric shutoffs now expiring, Despite the continuing pandemic, Duke and other utilities are now disconnecting customers falling behind, as state moratoriums expire. Steve Gross joined MRSC as a Legal Consultant in January 2020. 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. 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. That guidance was incorporated into Proclamation 20-23.6 to help utilities create their own programs. 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). Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and Pacific Power are taking the step until further notice. We want all Massachusetts residents to be aware of thenew and expanded programs available to assist them in paying their home heating bills. Under state law, water utilities can still collect past-due bills by putting those expenses onto the property tax roll. Please let us know how we can improve this page. 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. You can check outcurrent and historic basic service rates here. The program protects specific categories of customers from having their gas or electric shut off between November 15 and March 15 of each year. 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. He also has been a legal policy advisor for the Pierce County Council and has worked in contract administration. (Allied organizations have also submitted similar recommendations to HHS, including a letter organized by frontline advocates that NRDC also joined.). 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 bill also extends the time for cities and counties to impose a sewage lien: A sewage lien may exceed six months' delinquent charges without the necessity of any writing or recording if collection of charges was impacted by the declaration of an emergency by the governor. 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. 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? Remember that for city-owned utilities,RCW 35.67.210 and RCW 35.67.215 apply to sewage liens. According toRCW 19.16.500(1)(b),utilities may also add a reasonable collections fee to the outstandingdebt. "I asked a neighbor if I could plug in an extension cord to my refrigerator, just to keep it cold so I don't lose my groceries," she said. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. 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. Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps"). Find information on what the CPUC and utilities under its jurisdiction are doing to support communities during these challenging times. By comparison, about 12 percent of customers had past-due balances in April 2019, amounting to $184million. If you need assistance, please Contact the Attorney General's Office at (617) 727-2200. 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. More than 1 million customers were eligible for termination when Wolf sent the letter a month ago. In this post, well focus on what effect (if any) the proclamations have on your existing collections process. For additional FAQs about NJBPU's processes during the COVID-19 statewide response, click here. Earlier this month, the Legislature earmarked $1 billion in the upcoming 2022 state budget to help Californians pay overdue utility bills. This chart from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)provides more detailed household income information. 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 . CAPP dedicates $1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to address Californian's energy debts. 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. Digging Into Public Works In-person regional forums and training resources for public works staff and local contractors. 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). 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. 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 . The number of people affected is alarming, according to a letter sent to the commission from Gov. . Also, if a customer enters into a payment plan with their provider, many . Ellen Nowak opposed the decision to prevent all water shutoffs during the winter months. We know the effects of COVID are still very much front and center for many consumers, Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen said. The utility shutoff grace period ended on March 15, 2022 for all water, electric, and sewer customers. 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. 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. The heat dome of 2021 claimed the lives of 157 people in Washington State . Puget Sound Energy reported giving $7.6 million in bill credits to nearly 14,000 customers. Do we have to have a location open during this time to accept papers? The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and renters pay for utility and heating bills. As state COVID-19 lockdown orders from Gov. 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? Earlier this month, Gov. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 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. The fact sheet describes what is currently known of the program and will be updated as HHS releases more information. You may be eligible for assistance now, even if you have not been eligible in the past. 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. Consumer advocates want to make sure all utilities are required to offer longer payment plans and forgive debt. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Details wont be finalized until the governor approves the budget and the commission will take the $1 billion payments into consideration in a later proceeding. 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. The fact sheet provides a guide for advocates, utilities, and state and local officials who are seeking to help customers with past due and unaffordable water and sewer bills. Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Preparation Plans 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. 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. Where available, the fact sheet provides links to federal program webpages and funding allocations to state, territorial, Tribal, and local grantees. 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). 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. Lt. Gov. However, the California data do not include arrears for customers of wastewater-only utilities. 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. The more you pay now the less you will have to make up later. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Water Utilities Will Not Be Able To Disconnect Service After PSC Vote. If you are a customer of a municipal utility, call your municipal utility immediately to ask about any assistance programs that may be available. 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. "I just want some time to get my money," she said. Those figures were roughly the same in April 2018. MRSC is a private nonprofit organization serving local governments in Washington State. Don't fall behind on your bills or you may find yourself in the dark.__________________________. For many of us, the accelerating rollout of COVID-19 vaccines provides hope for a light at the end of the tunnel. 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. 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. Customers behind on their utility bills have three more months of assurance they will not get their power shut off for non-payment after the California Public Utilities Commission passed an extension on Thursday. All told, some $1.33 billion in past-due bills have piled up statewide. Visitwww.mass211.orgor dial 211 to find your local agency. This partnership was previously. Receive MRSC's latest articles and analysis through our Weekly Insights e-newsletter. Information on testing, vaccines, and help finding appointments near you. of King v. Ne. The state regulator also approved a plan that requires utilities including San Diego Gas & Electric to automatically enroll customers who are lagging on monthly payments into a two-year debt relief program. One water system has already said that it will resume shutoffs the next day. One possibility is that you are participating in your city or towns community choice electric plan. The decision essentially meant gas and electric utilities would be barred from disconnecting service through April 15, since the state's winter moratorium takes effect Nov. 1. 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. 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. Thursdays 5-0 vote extends the moratorium through the end of September for both residential and small-business customers. A federal program can help. June 17, 2020: The CPUC presented its COVID-19 response. 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. The California legislature approved the California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) in the 2021-2022 State Budget. Governor Inslee issuedProclamation 20-23.16 on July 2, 2021, which extended the utility shutoff moratorium through September 30, 2021. Utilities said that few customers responded to pleas to enroll in payment plans or to apply for assistance, and few customers were shut off. Visithereor the Cold Relief Heatline at (800) 632-8175 to find your local community action agency where you can apply for LIHEAP. Many customers financial situations have changed during the pandemic. *Note:This combined total for New York City and California is likely a conservative estimate. NRDC and NCLC have submitted recommendations to HHS on how to implement LIHWAP equitably and efficiently. Boeings CEO is missing out on a $7 million bonus because the companys new large jet is behind schedule, Louisiana Gov. But this part-time warehouse worker says she was battling COVID, and was out of work for weeks. 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.
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