533 Utahns and 23 Local Groups Call on Governor Herbert to Prevent Utilities from Suspending Service during Pandemic

Salt Lake City, UT — Today, 23 local groups delivered a letter signed by 533 Utahns to Governor Gary Herbert calling for him to issue a moratorium on utility shut-offs due to non-payment, and to require utilities to dismiss all utility bill debt incurred during the pandemic. 

Governors in several states have barred utilities from shutting off essential services, but Utahns facing utility shutoffs during the pandemic are relying only on voluntary commitments from local utilities Rocky Mountain Power and Dominion Energy. Letter signatories are concerned that the utilities can lift the suspension of utility shutoffs at any time and that the ratepayers struggling the most during this pandemic will be burdened with insurmountable debt.

In Utah, unemployment claims since the start of COVID-19 have gone up 1173.43% compared to this time last year, and minorities and those in low-paying jobs have been most affected.

“Utilities are a critical expense for every household. With the end of the CARES Act, and during the hottest part of the year, many Utahns will be left facing the difficult choice of paying an energy bill or rent,” said June Hiatt, Organizer at Utah Renters Together. “This is the time for the state to act and support residents who are struggling financially with utility payments and ensure that all Utah families are able to keep the lights on.”

 "We are considered essential however we don't get the essential aid, help or resources back to us or our communities. Once again this pandemia has highlighted the disparities and inequality that we face every day,” said Martha Black, Community Advocate. “We are part of a society and systems of oppression that need our bodies work and resources but only to provide a service to others, only to cater to others. We are not seen as essential in the matter of receiving those essential benefits and protections. We are never on the other end of the benefits, we are the means to get to others what they need, we are again treated like a necessity not as humans beings, we are never at the other end of that reciprocity. This is another way of dehumanizing our people" 

“Life, as a marginalized person is always uncertain, but in a pandemic it’s especially important that we pay attention to the financial needs of our most vulnerable communities. This pandemic is a global crisis and should be treated as such. In a global crisis, marginalized communities (BIPOC, people with disabilities, immigrants, and queer/trans people) are more susceptible to losing financial, housing, and food security due to the shortage in financial resources. Financial, housing, and food relief is imperative for the protection of those most vulnerable. The few people who have been able to find relief through unemployment benefits are now getting those benefits snatched from them with the expiration of the Pandemic Relief package. The least the state can do is offer relief through the lifting of utility bills, rent relief, food assistance, etc.,” said Ashley Finley, Doula and Community Advocate.