State Commissions Respond to COVID-19
State regulators are acting to stop utility disconnections during the novel coronavirus outbreak. The Louisiana Public Service Commission issued an emergency action Friday ordering that regulated utilities “are prohibited from disconnecting customers for non-payment of utility bills statewide.” The Ohio…
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Public Utilities Commission directed utilities to review reconnection policies Friday, after Thursday asking them to review disconnection and other policies (see 2003120066). In New Jersey, “phone and cable providers have agreed voluntarily to suspend shutoffs, pursuant to the FCC’s recommendations” (see 2003130066) and the Board of Public Utilities “received notifications from Verizon, CenturyLink, Altice, Comcast and Charter,” a board spokesperson emailed Friday. Georgia Public Service Commission employees are teleworking, said the agency: stakeholders should do the same. NARUC is arranging COVID-19 briefings with telecom and other utilities, President Brandon Presley tweeted. "Clear dissemination of info to our members is a top priority. State Commissioners have a unique role in communicating to their constituents and gov’t agencies about vital utility services."