PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pennsylvania’s statewide ban on utility shutoffs, which was put in place at the height of the pandemic, has come to an end. The moratorium was lifted Thursday after a vote by the Public Utility Commission, and some customers could be in the dark as early as next month.
Utility companies can start shutting off services for nonpaying customers on Nov. 9.
There are some protections for vulnerable customers and some small businesses. For instance, those who make below three times the federal poverty rate are protected, but they have to apply for available assistance programs.
The motion was introduced by Chairperson Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, who said, “the moratorium on utility service terminations was the right decision to make in March, but the moratorium cannot be the sole solution for assisting vulnerable utility customers.”
She cited various assistance programs available such as Lifeline and Hardship funds, but advocates like Joline Price, a community legal services attorney, say it’s not enough and the shutoffs could make the public health crisis even worse.
“While the PUC includes an attempt at protecting vulnerable customers, the commission has created layers of complexity that will lead to confusion, anxiety, and unnecessary shutoff of customers,” Price said in a statement.
Service providers are required to send a warning to customers at risk of shutoff and provide options to help address unpaid bills.