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. Hous. 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.. Many customers financial situations have changed during the pandemic. 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. Utilities in Wisconsin will once again be able to shut off services for customers who fail to pay their bills. Any utilities who may disconnect service once the winter moratorium ends would also have to submit those plans to regulators by Feb. 15. CAPP dedicates $1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to address Californian's energy debts. Category: South Carolina utilities will stop cutting service to customers with unpaid bills during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Thursdays 5-0 vote extends the moratorium through the end of September for both residential and small-business customers. 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. That guidance was incorporated into Proclamation 20-23.6 to help utilities create their own programs. Earlier this month, the Legislature earmarked $1 billion in the upcoming 2022 state budget to help Californians pay overdue utility bills. February 22 2023. If you are a customer of a municipal utility, call your municipal utility immediately to ask about any assistance programs that may be available. Want to know more about the team behind MRSC or contact a specific staff member? 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. 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. 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. But she learned that if you fall behind on those payment plans, it can be lights out. Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. 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). 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. MRSC is a private nonprofit organization serving local governments in Washington State. These pages cover more specific details that depend on the type of utility, and its critical that you use the right tools for your specific type of jurisdiction and type of utility. For more information, please visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. Upcoming TrainingsAttend our live webinars, virtual workshops, and in-person trainings to learn about key local government issues! The California legislature approved the California Arrearage Payment Program (CAPP) in the 2021-2022 State Budget. Thanks for signing up. 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. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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. An increase in your homes energy efficiency should result in lower utility bills over time. We will use this information to improve this page. 246; https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562021/approved/20211222a.shtml; https://www.nj.gov/bpu/newsroom/reports/covid19/Moratorium_Ending_FAQs_061421.pdf. 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. So even before there was a mandate to do so, we voluntarily suspended disconnections in early March, said Janet Kim, of PSE. In the case of small businesses in disadvantaged communities, the payment cannot exceed 5 percent of the customers average monthly bill. The number of people affected is alarming, according to a letter sent to the commission from Gov. Global travelers on Tripadvisor platform rank Coronado No. Ellen Nowak opposed the decision to prevent all water shutoffs during the winter months. The utility shutoff grace period ended on March 15, 2022 for all water, electric, and sewer customers. (Since interest is generally considered to be a penalty for non-payment it is probably included in late fees.). There is no similar prohibition for sewer or storm water services. She said utility workers shut off her electricity over the weekend for non-payment going back several months. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Lt. Gov. Share this webpage and the flyer below with your friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to spread the word. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. 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). keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. . . If you need help paying your utility bills or your arrears, visit the Board of Public Utilities' Assistance Programs page. * Unsurprisingly, when California examined its statewide data, low-income communities of color had disproportionately high levels of household water debt. "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. The utility reported to the commission that 495 out of its roughly 3,000 customers would be eligible for disconnection. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program payments were down 40% compared to the previous year, according to PUC data. For additional FAQs about NJBPU's processes during the COVID-19 statewide response, click here. On-Demand Webinars Watch pre-recorded versions of our recent webinars, at your own convenience. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, A map from the National Association of Utility Regulators (NARUC). (Since interest is generally considered to be a penalty for non-payment it is probably included in "late fees.") There is no similar prohibition for sewer or storm water services. However, if a customer misses more than two payments in their COVID-19 relief plan, they can be kicked out of the plan. But Dutrieuille and the commission approved a motion that will allow customers to stretch out payment plans and keep on their services. Information on testing, vaccines, and help finding appointments near you. Small business customers may also qualify for payment plans that include arrearage forgiveness. The grace period for residential cable and internet for customers with school-aged children ended on December 31, 2021. MRSC offers a wide range of services to local governments and our contract partners in Washington State. 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. Payment plans can help avoid service shut-offs. April 1, 2021: Electric, gas, and water utilities submit final Emergency Utility Customer Protection Transition Plan Advice Letters to CPUC. Utilities will continue to provide assistance programs. So, late fees for commercial customers were also prohibited during the emergency. Links to the 2020 briefing decks presented to CPUC and CAL FIRE can be found on the utility websites below. Heres how to apply, Suspicions of manipulation in the natural gas market? 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. Based on the plain language of the proclamations this is how we think they affect the utilities once the prohibitions expire. 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. DHCD has a toll-free hotline,1-800-632-8175, that is multi-language and will quickly direct you to your local community action agency that can help answer additional questions about eligibility and process your LIHEAP application. "I think that we could have been narrower, help those in need, prevent people from digging a bigger hole than they're already in, and eventually driving up rates for everybody," said Nowak. Jay Inslee previously ordered a moratorium on shut-offs, which he extended nine times. Gavin Newsom went into effect in March 2020, the utilities commission announced power companies could not disconnect services to customers for one year. Aug. 13, 2020, at 12:14 p.m. Bills to Stop Paying During Coronavirus. The California Public Utilities Commission also extended the power shutoff moratorium to Sept. 30, days before it was set to expire on June 30. 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. Steve Gross joined MRSC as a Legal Consultant in January 2020. Steve Gross Maybe. If you are having trouble paying your electric, sewer, or water bills, you may be eligible to avoid disconnection through the Winter Termination Program. Try now to get LIHEAP funds, Dollar Energy Fund help or emergency assistance, they said. *Note:This combined total for New York City and California is likely a conservative estimate. 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. (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? 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. It can reduce electric bills 30 to 35 percent. 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. The proclamations also did not prohibit any utility from disconnecting water, power, or telecommunications service if the customer does not comply with the terms of a payment plan. Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling. By comparison, about 12 percent of customers had past-due balances in April 2019, amounting to $184million. 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. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. Additionally, the period in which the lien may be imposed was amended this year by the legislature (see HB 1069, section 15). COVID-19 To learn about these payment programs, and whether they are offered by your utility, please contact your utility. Meanwhile, utility customers have amassed large, unpaid bills, as a majority of the state has been working from home and using more energy. Earlier this month, Gov. 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. But utilities will have to balance their need to maintain their revenue stream with the reality that some of their customers may not have the ability to pay the past-due debt and keep up with current expenses. 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. Maintaining access to water and other essential utility services remains as vital as ever to safeguard public health, as the pandemic continues. However, the question remains as to what actions local utilities can take to collect past-due amounts. 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. In addition to your utility, you can contact the Department of Public Utilitiesat877-886-5066, or completetheir online complaint form. We want all Massachusetts residents to be aware of thenew and expanded programs available to assist them in paying their home heating bills. Nowak has previously urged the commission to work with the Evers administration to provide assistance to water customers in need through CARES Act funding. Anyone facing eviction should seek legal assistance, go to . 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. 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 . Keep updated on the latest news and information. 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;. Call your electric or gas utility immediately to enroll. 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. Is there a process for cities to write-off bad debt? Stay informed with WPR's email newsletter. 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. LIHEAP is available this winter heating season from November 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. Those moratoriums are running out, and thousands of unemployed people plus others still battling COVID-19 are running out of options. Utilities - Billing and Collection. Source: Executive Order No. You can check outcurrent and historic basic service rates here. The Natural Resources Defense Council works to safeguard the earth - its people, For more information on community choice electric plans, also known as municipal aggregations, visit this website maintained by the Department of Public Utilities here. 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. If you are struggling to pay your electric or gas utility bills, reach out to your utility to discuss available payment plans, arrearage forgiveness programs and other payment assistance programs. NEW! 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. Other CPUC Actions The grace period for residential cable and internet for customers with school-aged children ended on December 31, 2021. 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. Why is my BGE bill so high 2021? Changes for 2022 Annual Reporting for Cash Basis Entities, Integrating Best Available Science: New Tools for Land Use Planning & Emergency Management, resources for utility customers behind on their payments, Collection Practices for Delinquent Utility Accounts, A Quick Guide to Utility Account Overcharges, Undercharges, and the Statute of Limitations. When the state reopened in mid-June, Newsom quietly extended the moratorium on water shutoffs to Sept. 30. its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. 229; Executive Order No. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and The commission, known as the CPUC for short, extended the moratorium earlier this year but it was set to run out June 30. 505 Van Ness Avenue The order also applies to small-business customers who have bills at least 60 days past due. Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Preparation Plans "I didn't have the $300 they needed," she said. 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. 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). (Allied organizations have also submitted similar recommendations to HHS, including a letter organized by frontline advocates that NRDC also joined.). 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. For more information about the Winter Termination Program, call 800-624-0241. 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. Do we have to have a location open during this time to accept papers? Suggestions are presented as an open option list only when they are available. He also has been a legal policy advisor for the Pierce County Council and has worked in contract administration. 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. of King v. Ne. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy Visitwww.mass211.orgor dial 211 to find your local agency. States should heed the same recommendations as they set up their own programs to administer LIHWAP funds. If one of these suppliers is on your bill, it is possible that one of these companies switched your electricity supply without your permission. We know the effects of COVID are still very much front and center for many consumers, Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen said. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. All in all, 83 out of 578 water utilities submitted plans to shut off service for more than 9,500 customers. For resources and updates about New Jerseys response to COVID-19, visit the COVID-19 Information Hub. You may be eligible for assistance now, even if you have not been eligible in the past. Find information on what the CPUC and utilities under its jurisdiction are doing to support communities during these challenging times. The White House is proposing to spend $5 billion to cover home energy and water. 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). 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. She cited lower unemployment and COVID-19 infection rates, and pointed to the latest federal stimulus among the reasons the moratorium could be lifted. Please visit theCSD websitefor more information. As state COVID-19 lockdown orders from Gov. Boeings CEO is missing out on a $7 million bonus because the companys new large jet is behind schedule, Louisiana Gov. Southern states are more frequently turning to pay-to-use express lanes as a way to address highway congestion without raising taxes. HEAP is a seasonal program. Earlier this year, the commission reported that statewide enrollment in CARE has increased 13.6 percent and FERA enrollment shot up 45 percent. update email soon. 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. 2023 by Wisconsin Public Radio, a service of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Please let us know how we can improve this page. Editor's note: This blog has been updated to remove references tostate guidance related to the creation of COVID-19 customer support programs. California Public Utilities Commission Can I get help paying my utilities? 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). June 30, 2021: Emergency Customer Protections expire. Note that the proclamations do not prohibit imposing some kind of monetary penalty for failing to comply with the provisions of a payment plan. 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. 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 Utilities and Transportation Commission also. Receive MRSC's latest articles and analysis through our Weekly Insights e-newsletter.

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