Kathy Hochul announced the vast majority of $567 million dedicated to help low-income electric and gas utility customers pay off past utility bills will be reflected on customers' August bills. Under these programs, your city or town negotiates a supply rate with a competitive supplier for its residents. Auth. For many of us, the accelerating rollout of COVID-19 vaccines provides hope for a light at the end of the tunnel. If you have been switched without your permission, you should file a complaint with the Department of Public Utilities. In addition, 2020 collection reports for the individual Electric Distribution Companies (EDC) and Gas Distribution Companies (GDC) are available via NJBPU's Public Document Searchtool. The commission, known as the CPUC for short, extended the moratorium earlier this year but it was set to run out June 30. 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. 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. 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. Unlike AMP, utility customersdo not need to applyto receive assistance under the CAPP program. The more you pay now the less you will have to make up later. Valcq pointed out that similar assistance programs do not exist for water customers. She cited lower unemployment and COVID-19 infection rates, and pointed to the latest federal stimulus among the reasons the moratorium could be lifted. keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. Heres how to apply, Suspicions of manipulation in the natural gas market? Also, if a customer enters into a payment plan with their provider, many . 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. 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 . 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). 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. Bessette said that puts utilities in a tough spot with landlords whose tenants can't or won't pay. We will use this information to improve this page. 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. 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. So, late fees for commercial customers were also prohibited during the emergency. For more information about the Winter Termination Program, call 800-624-0241. Many have indicated that if the moratoriums expire, they will cut customers off from power or heat, said Ruth Sawyer, of the Sierra Club. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. Moratoriums on disconnects expiring across the US. 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). Also, utilities may assign delinquent customer debts to licensed collection agencies under the authority provided inRCW 19.16.500and pursuant to a written contract with a licensed agency. Gov. 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. The extension of the moratorium on shutoffs has been met with frustration by some, including Jason Bessette, general manager of New London Utilities. 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. Meanwhile, utility customers have amassed large, unpaid bills, as a majority of the state has been working from home and using more energy. Tom Wolf, who opposes lifting the moratorium. All in all, 83 out of 578 water utilities submitted plans to shut off service for more than 9,500 customers. We want all Massachusetts residents to be aware of thenew and expanded programs available to assist them in paying their home heating bills. Sign up now! 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. Last month, Ayanna McClure learned how quickly landlords were filing eviction notices when the moratoriums expired. 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. 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. Most states passed emergency laws banning evictions and utility shutoffs during the pandemic. 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. Call your electric or gas utility immediately to enroll. One water system has already said that it will resume shutoffs the next day. of King v. Ne. The number of people affected is alarming, according to a letter sent to the commission from Gov. We know the effects of COVID are still very much front and center for many consumers, Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen said. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has not announced program rules or released funds to the states. 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? "I just want some time to get my money," she said. Earlier this month, Gov. 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. 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. FERA is open to customers whose household incomes slightly exceed those eligible for CARE. 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. Can it be done by appointment? Utility Collection Deferrals, Shutoffs, and Payment Plans. 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. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Visitwww.mass211.orgor dial 211 to find your local agency. Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves said the regulator is trying to be responsive to this really dynamic situation that were in, in recovering from this pandemic.. 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. 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. But, thewinter moratorium doesnot apply to water utilities. September 7, 2021 Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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%. "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. Click here for more on competitive electric suppliers. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. Steve Gross joined MRSC as a Legal Consultant in January 2020. Earlier this year, the commission reported that statewide enrollment in CARE has increased 13.6 percent and FERA enrollment shot up 45 percent. . There is no similar prohibition for sewer or storm water services. State Disclosures, Senior Attorney and Director, Urban Water Infrastructure, People & Communities Program. MRSC offers a wide range of services to local governments and our contract partners in Washington State. 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. 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. Links to the 2020 briefing decks presented to CPUC and CAL FIRE can be found on the utility websites below. Any person who is making good faith efforts should never have their services shut off, he said. In the case of small businesses in disadvantaged communities, the payment cannot exceed 5 percent of the customers average monthly bill. Individual competitive suppliers (in other words, suppliers that are not part of a community choice program) often charge higher rates than your utilitys rates. If a small business enrolls in an electric or gas payment plan with its investor-owned utility company and the business makes its payments, it will be protected from electric or gas service disconnection for the duration of the payment plan. Electric and gas utility contact information is provided below: You can considercontacting Mass Savefor an energy efficiency audit. Follow John on Instagram @johnmataresemoney, For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com. For resources and updates about New Jerseys response to COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 Information Hub. 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. The Natural Resources Defense Council works to safeguard the earth - its people, 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.
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