By Ruth Sawyer, Beyond Coal Organizer
Utilities all across the state are currently prohibited from shutting off essential utility services due to non-payment, but this protection is scheduled to end on October 15th. Without a long-term plan in place to help people get back on their feet, thousands of Washingtonians could be left cold and in the dark because they are unable to afford their electric, internet, and water bills.
Such a longer-term plan -- one that could affect millions of people across Washington State -- is currently being considered by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). The UTC is currently considering changes to how utilities are allowed to collect past-due utility bills in the midst of an unprecedented economic crisis driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. The commission will take public comment on the proposed changes on October 6th.
In light of this crisis, the coalition is calling for fundamental changes to lessen the energy burden for low-income Washington families, including:
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Extending the moratorium on utility shut-offs through the winter to at least April 30, or whenever all the counties in a utility’s service territory have been in Phase 4 of Washington’s Safe Start Plan for at least 60 days.
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Forcing utilities to forgive the outstanding debt accrued during the COVID crisis
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Fairer payment plans for all utilities, including 24-month payment plans for outstanding utility bills.
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A prohibition on charging late fees, disconnection fees, or reporting to credit agencies if customers fall behind on bills.
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A requirement that utility executives and shareholders be required to share the economic burden of the COVID crisis through temporary cuts to executive pay and shareholder returns on investment during this crisis.
Even before this pandemic struck, an estimated 15 million people in this country - including a disproportionate number of Black, Indigenous and communities of color - had difficulty affording utility services. 1 in 5 US households reported reducing or forgoing necessities such as food and medicine to pay an energy bill. Nationwide, utility bills are one of the top reasons that people take out predatory payday loans. We all rely on essential utility services.
Meanwhile, utility CEOs nationwide took home $1 billion between 2017 and 2019 and delivered hundreds of millions of dollars of profit to investors. Puget Sound Energy, Washington state’s largest utility, paid out nearly $20 million to its executive team last year, including almost $12 million to its CEO.
We need to ask the Utilities and Transportation Commission to pass the protections working people need ‒ starting with debt relief ‒ to get and stay well in this pandemic and beyond. This is a state where people’s health and wellbeing, not corporate profits, can drive policymakers’ decisions.
Here are two ways you can take action:
1.) Right now, we are collecting the stories of people who have experienced utility shut-offs to share with legislators and the public. If you or someone you know has been affected, please consider sharing your story by filling out this survey.
2.) Sign our petition