Washington State’s moratorium on utility shut-offs is about to expire. Again.

By Julia Mason, Debt-Free Utilities Volunteer

Washington State’s moratorium on utility shut-offs is about to expire. Again. On May 12th, the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) will meet and decide whether to extend the state-wide moratorium or allow for-profit utility companies to disconnect customers for non-payment. 

Without extension, thousands of Washington residents may be left without light, heat, or water. That can’t be allowed to happen -- the utility shut-offs moratorium is crucial to the health and welfare of Washingtonians. That’s why the Sierra Club has been fighting to maintain this critical piece of consumer protection policy. In keeping with the Sierra Club’s principles of equity and clean energy service for all, we believe that it is critical to ensure that all Washingtonians have household power during a pandemic and economic crisis in which millions are struggling. 

This moratorium on utility shut-offs saves lives. COVID infection rates last year were 4.4% lower in communities that banned electricity and water service disconnections during the pandemic, while death rates from the disease were 7.4% lower. Access to energy resources is critical for everyday life, medical and health support, and preservation of food which are all especially essential during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Sierra Club is fighting to ensure that people’s health and wellbeing, not corporate profits, drive policymakers’ decisions. Low-income and marginalized communities are disproportionately more likely to be affected by unemployment, have lower wages, and face a gap in wealth accumulation. This makes these communities even more vulnerable to losing energy resources. We can avoid this by keeping the moratorium in place and the lights on for all Washington families. 

Thanks to the efforts of Sierra Club volunteers and our allies across the state, the UTC extended the moratorium until April 31st. We saw more than 3,000 Sierra Club members submit written comments and hundreds more testify in support of clean energy and debt-free utilities for all at UTC hearings.

Now, the new deadline is looming. If the moratorium is lifted, shut-offs will resume, and struggling families will suffer.  

This fight isn’t over yet. No one should have to go without electricity or clean water during a global pandemic simply because they cannot afford to pay. That’s why we are asking the UTC to extend the deadline until the end of the year.

Take Action:  You can help us protect vulnerable members of our communities from having their electricity and water disconnected in the middle of a nationwide public health crisis and economic catastrophe. 

1. We are gathering individual stories to share with the UTC at the upcoming commission hearing in May. If you have been affected by a utility shut-off or struggled to pay your utility bills, we’d like to hear your story.

2. If you’re interested in joining this project and helping keep the lights on for all Washingtonians, apply to be volunteer with our Clean Energy team here.