By now we all know winter is coming. But this time, things will be a little different as the state’s utility regulators have ended any remaining COVID-19 protections for customers.
Here’s Five Fast Facts About the End of COVID-19 Utility Restrictions:
- 📆Leftovers - Remaining protections included deferred payment plans for low-income customers unable to pay a bill in full, the postponement of gas and water shutoff for 21 days if someone in a customer’s household tests positive for COVID.
- 🧥The Others - These protections differ from the moratorium on shutoffs that ended in April of 2021.
- 🫠What COVID? - Regulators said there is no longer any evidence that COVID has an impact on billing. Though the timing is coincidental, considering energy costs are expected to skyrocket this winter.
- ☃️Hot Air - Officials noted that they’re aware some could still be affected and that a number of utilities will work with customers one on one to develop payment plans in such a circumstance.
- ❄️Cold Wind - There is also help on the horizon for low-income people this winter – the state will receive around $100M in federal funding for heating assistance.
🔥Bottom line: If you’re anything like me, you were unaware these protections were in place. But you can also imagine there are many households that were helped by the program. It’s probably time for the utilities to focus on other things at this point. Especially since they have other programs in place.
Did the utility moratorium help you?
Guess what? The President doesn't impact policies like this at the state level...but your local & state government reps do! Here’s three small things you can do that make a BIG impact:
