Consumer Advocacy – Public Utilities (DCA)

On April 23, 2020, the Consumer Advocate filed a letter urging the Public Utilities Commission to file an order to temporarily suspend the authority of regulated companies (i.e., electric, gas, telecommunications, water, and wastewater) to: 1) terminate or disconnect services due to non-payment; and 2) assess any charges or fees that might be unreasonably assessed, including the accrual of interest on outstanding balances, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Consumer Advocate is concerned with the potential impact of the pandemic on customers, their bills, and their continued access to critical utility services. Read the letter here.

On May 4, 2020, the Commission issued Order No. 37125, which temporarily suspends the authority of PUC-regulated electricity, gas, telecommunications, water and wastewater utilities to terminate or disconnect services due to non-payment during the COVID-19 emergency situation. Order No. 37125 also temporarily prohibits utilities from charging customers interest on past due payments or imposing any late payment fees and suspends any and all tariff rules and provisions that prevent or condition the re-connection of disconnected customers.

Read Order No. 37125 here.