As COVID-19 continues to devastate Pennsylvania, utility terminations remain a threat to public health and safety. Here’s what you can do to make sure the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians remain protected from shutoff.
What has Happened So Far:
March 2020: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) issues a ban on utility shutoffs, protecting customers from losing their utility service because of unpaid bills.
October 2020: The PUC modifies its ban. Regulated utilities can shut off service subject to certain restrictions. However, there are steps low-income customers can take to remain protected from utility shutoffs until March 31, 2021.
December 2020-Present: Over 847,000 residential customers in PA are currently eligible for utility shutoff. Residential customers currently owe regulated utilities $811 million – up 64% from last year.
What we are asking:
The PUC will allow utilities to resume shutoffs for low-income households on April 1, 2021. We’re calling on the PUC to extend the current protections for low-income customers and develop a plan to equitably resolve utility debt.
Here’s what you can do to help:
- File a comment with the Public Utility Commission by February 16, 2021, asking them to extend the current protections and forgive utility debt. Follow our step-by-step guide to filing a comment here.
- Contact your representatives and tell them to urge the PUC to extend shutoff protections and resolve utility debt.
- Share your story about how utility shutoff and utility debt impact your household on our website.
- Share this information on social media!
- Add your name to our sign-on letter! Read the full letter here, and sign your name here.
Check out our action packet with ALL the information you need to make these steps easy—sample call scripts, sample graphics for social media, sample emails and more.
Have other questions? Email energyadvocacy@clsphila.org.
