Pa. lifts moratorium on pandemic shutoffs
State will allow utilities to resume terminations March 31
Pennsylvania will allow utilities to resume normal service shutoffs for nonpaying customers after March 31, ending a coronavirus moratorium that utilities said had contributed to a massive growth of unpaid bills.
Citing the state’s improved economic outlook and the expected influx of aid under the $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Thursday voted to allow the resumption of service terminations at the end of the month, though it added some protections for low-income customers.
Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, the PUC’s chair, said it was “time to return to the regular collections process” in accordance with state utility code, citing the downward trend of unemployment as well as COVID-19 infection rates. But she proposed to lengthen payment programs for up to five years for some low-income customers. Under terms of the programs, utilities typically forgive part of the debt for customers who stay current in their payments.
Utilities had pressed the PUC to lift the moratorium on March 31, when the state’s winter ban on shutoffs of low-income customers typically ends. The state’s largest electric and gas utilities, which are owed more than $743 million, up about 76% from a year ago, said that fewer customers were responding to pleas to enroll in payment plans or to apply for assistance without facing a shutoff notice.
The PUC, which struggled for much of last year on whether to lift the moratorium, initially defeated a motion on Thursday by vice chairman David W. Sweet to extend the moratorium to July 15. The motion failed on a 2-2 party-line vote, with Democrats Sweet and Dutrieuille voting to extend the moratorium, and Republicans John F. Coleman, Jr. and Ralph V. Yanora, Commissioner.
After the effort to extend the moratorium failed, the panel then voted unanimously to support the resumption of shutoffs, with added consumer protections. Sweet, whose effort to extend the moratorium was thwarted earlier, joined in on lifting the ban because the protections that it included through the end of 2021 were “better than nothing.”
Pennsylvania’s approach differs from New Jersey, where Gov. Phil Murphy on March 3 signed an executive order extending its moratorium on service shutoffs until June 30.
“Despite the fact that we now see the light at the end of the tunnel for the COVID-19 pandemic, many families are still reeling from the economic impacts of the virus,” Murphy said, explaining the extension. The Garden State’s ban applies to all residential gas, electric and water utilities, both public and private.
The total amount of unpaid utility bills soared 89% last year in New Jersey, from $376 million to $709 million, according to data compiled by the New Jersey Division of Rate Counsel. About two-thirds of the money is owed by residential customers. About 8% of state’s 7.6 million utility accounts faces disconnection.
In Pennsylvania, the new protections adopted in Thursday’s decision are primarily aimed at extending the payment terms to make them more affordable. For a family of four earning less than $66,250 a year — that’s 250% of the federal poverty level of $26,500 — utilities will be required to offer a payment arrangement of a minimum of five years. Customers can request a shorter arrangement or utilities can agree to a longer arrangement.
For customers with higher income levels, utilities must offer payment terms of one or two years.
For small business customers, utilities are required to offer a payment arrangement for a minimum length of 18 months.
As a general rule, utilities will give customers a payment arrangement unless there is a history of breaking multiple agreements. But under Thursday’s decision, the commission can also order one payment arrangement for a residential customer who has previously defaulted on a commission-ordered payment arrangement.
In addition, utilities also must make quarterly reports to the PUC through the end of the year on the numbers of customers at risk, the total amounts of the arrearages, and the numbers of customers terminated.
Coleman emphasized that normal consumer protections remain in place to notify customers who are behind on payments and to allow customers to dispute charges.
For instance, public utilities must give customers 10 days’ notice before termination, and make two additional attempts at personal contact before termination. Customers can avoid a shut off by paying their arrearage in full, by entering into a payment arrangement, by enrolling in a customer assistance program if they are low-income or by filing a dispute with the PUC. A utility may not terminate service while a dispute is pending.
The PUC left unresolved who eventually will cover the cost of any unpaid utility bills that are written off as uncollectible. Some consumer advocates suggest the utilities’ owners should pay. But the law currently allows utilities to count uncollectible amounts as an expense that they can later seek to recover through higher rates for all customers.
As you continue to navigate the pandemic, find the positivity and be thankful you are alive. That’s the advice from the legendary Dr. Ruth Westheimer, acclaimed sex therapist, TV show host and prolific author. Dr. Ruth will be speaking at the Phoebe Institute on Aging Conference, 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. March 18.
In her keynote address, “Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll: Baby Boomers and Aging,” Westheimer,
92, will speak live from her Manhattan home in a question-and-answer format, moderated by PBS39’s “Counter Culture” host Grover Silcox.
Those who attend can submit questions to Westheimer about a range of health topics — from sexuality and aging to isolation.
A true trailblazer and a nationally recognized authority on sexuality, Westheimer has spent her career speaking openly and honestly about sex.
Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Westheimer is a survivor of the Holocaust. She moved to New York in 1956 where she worked for Planned Parenthood. In 1980, she gave a lecture that launched her popular radio talk show “Sexually Speaking,” which aired for 10 years.
She’s also hosted a series of shows on the Lifetime channel and other cable networks from 1984 to 1993 and is the author of 45 books on sex and sexuality. The streaming service Hulu is airing a documentary about her life “Ask Dr. Ruth.”
Today she works at home, still teaching and leading talks. She’s fully vaccinated but still chooses to stick close to home.
“I am very grateful,” Westheimer said. “I can stay in my apartment and I have people to help me. My daughter lives 10 minutes from me and she does the Zoom for me so I don’t have to be nervous.”
For many seniors, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced them into isolation. Westheimer said it’s important to look at the positive in your life and find ways to stay connected.
“I realize how fortunate I am that I am still very busy,” she said. “I do understand all the loneliness, not just older people but especially older people.”
Her suggestions: Think of two people you haven’t talked to in a long time and call them. When you’re talking to them, tell them you called because you were thinking of them, ask how they are ... and then share with them something optimistic.
“Do something that gives you a little push,” Westheimer said.
Of course, she’s known most for being an authority on sexuality and relationships. She said for those people who are in a good relationship, this time will pass and they can be grateful for the other person in their lives. For those who are alone, make the best of this moment.
“We are in a difficult time but we have to keep our spirits up,” she said.
Along with Westheimer, the event will feature 17 other speakers including Robert Torres, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, and Jane Fleishman, presenter of the TEDx Talk “Is it OK for
Grandma to Have Sex? Lessons from an Aging Sexuality Educator.” Topics will focus around the age-driven necessities of the baby boomer generation.
The free conference will be hosted through Conference Tracker, a virtual conference platform. Those who register will receive email directions for the login. Registration closes on March 12.
Info, register: phoebe.org/ piaconference; events@phoebe. org or 610-794-5152.