State

Latest Actions (Date Implemented)

Expiration

Description of Disconnection Moratorium and Payment Plan

Alabama

> Commission Statement

(Mar 17)

N/A

> Coordination with utilities

Alaska

> SB 241 (Apr 9)

> Docket 1-20-001 (Apr 15)

Nov 15, 2020

> SB 241 implements disconnection moratorium of residential customers due to non-payment; disallows IOU's from charging late fees or interest for nonpayment for duration of emergency; requires reconnection of customers disconnected on or after March 11, 2020 due to nonpayment; requires a minimum timeline for repayment of charges incurred during emergency

> Docket I-20-001 gathers utility information on actions to comply with Senate Bill 241

> Winter moratoriums may be in effect.

Arizona

> Governor Electric Utility Relief Package (Mar 26)

N/A

> Coordination with utilities

Arkansas

> Docket No. 20-012-A (Jun 18)

> Executive Order 20-45 (Aug 14)

> Executive Order 20-48 (Oct 13)

> Executive Order 20-51 (Dec 10)

> Executive Order 20-53 (Dec 29)

> Docket 20-012-A; Order 15 (Feb 8)

May 3, 2021

> On April 10, the PSC ordered the suspension of disconnections due to nonpayment for all customer classes effective until either the governor ends the emergency declaration or the PSC amends this order

> PSC allows IOU's to track COVID-19-related costs and lost revenue from the prohibition of disconnections

> Order allows parties to request rules for other considerations, such a reconnections

> On May 27, a second order reaffirmed these suspensions until the end of the COVID emergency and formalizes the suspension on the collection of late fees for arrearages

> On June 18, EO 20-37 extends public health emergency until August 18.

> On August 14, the governor signed an order extending public health emergency for 60 days

> On October 13, the governor signed an order extending the public health emergency for 60 days

> On December 10, the governor issued an executive order to renew the disaster and public health emergency to mitigate the spread and impact of COVID-19, active through the end of December

> On December 29, issued an executive order to renew the disaster and public health emergency to mitigate the spread and impact of COVID-19, active for 60 days

> The Commission announced in an order setting a target date of May 3, 2021 to lift the moratorium on disconnections pursuant to the conditions and requirements in Order No. 15 that utilities must meet before disconnections may resume 

> On March 26, 2021, the Commission will issue an order either confirming the lifting of the moratorium on disconnections on May 3, 2021, or extending the moratorium

California

> Emergency Resolution  M-4842 (Apr 17)

> CPUC COVID Response Page

> Resolution M-4849 (Feb 11)

> CPUC Press Release (June 24)

Sep 30, 2021

> On April 17, the Commission issued an Emergency Resolution preventing disconnections for residential and small business customers until April 17, 2021

> On February 11, the CPUC voted to extend the moratorium until June 30, 2021

> On February 24, the CPUC suspended disconnections of residential and small business customers for an additional three months, through September 30, 2021

Colorado

> Executive Order D 2020 031 (Mar 20)

> Executive Order D 2020 098 (Jun 12)

> Executive Order D 2020 132 (Jul 11)

> Executive Order D 2020 157 (Aug 9)

> Commission Notice (Aug 11)

> Executive Order D 2020 181 (Sep 7)

> Executive Order D 2020 211 (Oct 6)

> Executive Order D 2020 239 (Nov 4)

Jun 12, 2020

> Directs PUC to work with public utilities to waive reconnection fees and suspend accrual of late payment fees for all residential customers and small business consumers; and to develop and provide payment assistance programs to aid impacted customers in the payment of utility bills

> On June 12, Executive Order allows for expiration of moratorium on utility disconnections; directs PUC to report on the development of the payment assistance programs to DORA and the Office of the Governor; work with public utilities to provide guidance on prioritizing payment assistance; and to collect and monitor relevant data from public utilities on the implementation of Statewide measures undertaken in response to this Order and on a weekly basis report these efforts to the Office of the Governor and post them on PUC’s website

> On July 11, Executive Order D 2020 132 extends prior Executive Orders by 30 days

> On August 9, Executive Order D 2020 157 extends prior Executive Orders by 30 days

> On August 11, Commission issued notice encouraging customers falling behind on utility bills to make payment arrangements or apply for assistance

> On September 7, Governors order extends the waiver of reconnection fees and the suppression of late payment fees for residential and small business consumers

> On October 6, the Governor’s extended Executive Orders D 2020 098, D 2020 132, D 2020 157, and D 2020 181, providing relief to public utility customers affected by COVID-19 for 30 additional days.

> On November 4, Governor extended Executive Orders D 2020 098, D 2020 132, D 2020 157, D 2020 181, and D 2020 211 Providing Relief to Public Utility Customers affected by COVID-19; the suspension of late fees on arrearages accruals and reconnections is in effect until. December 4^th

> On January 30, Governor extended moratoria on accrual of late fees and reconnections fees for 30 days; expires March 1

Connecticut

> Docket No. 20-03-15 (May 28)

> Docket 20-03-15 (Jul 21)

Oct 31, 2020

> On March 12, the initial emergency moratorium on electric service disconnections was applied for all residential customers

> PURA provided no instruction regarding late fee collection, reconnection, or repayment instructions for non-paying customers

> Requires PURA to review of moratorium every 30 days

> IOU's are allowed to petition for exemption

> Council passed legislation codifying moratorium on disconnections. Disconnects cannot take place until 15

> Moratorium for residential customers will end on October 1 for non-hardship customers, and on October 31 for financial hardship customers

> Customers can negotiate payment plans as long as 24 months catch-up on overdue bills. Utilities also have the option to waive interest and negotiate past-due balances

Delaware

> Governor Declaration (Jul 6)

> Governor Declaration (Jul 24)

> Executive Order(Aug 5)

> State of Emergency – 27th Modification (Sep 3)

Sep 3, 2020

> On March 24, Governor issued a sixth modification to Declaration of a State of Emergency prohibiting utilities from terminating service or charging late fees to residential customers.

> On July 6, Governor extended the state of Emergency for an additional 30 days

> Effective July 1, Four month extension of payment plans for past due accounts to qualifying customers

> On August 5, Governor extended the state of emergency for 30 days

> On September 3, Governor signed the 27th modification to his State of Emergency, lifting the moratorium

District of Columbia

> Order No. 20358 (May 28)

> Executive Order 2021-096 (Jul 24)

+45 days
after end of emergency
(set to expire
October 8, 2021)

> DC Council passed legislation codifying moratorium on disconnections

> Disconnects cannot take place until 15 days after the emergency declaration by the Mayor is lifted

> On May 19, DC Council passed additional legislation requiring electric companies to:  (i) make payment plans available to eligible customers with a minimum term of one year, unless the customer requests a shorter term; (ii) waive any fee or penalty arising from the payment plan; (iii) not report to a credit agency that the customer’s account is delinquent; and (iv) notify all customers of the payment plan’s availability

> PSC opened a docket to examine merits of OPC's petition and examine the impacts on electric companies and customers

> On December 15, the D.C. Council voted unanimously to grant the Mayor the authority to extend the city’s public health emergency until March 31

> On December 15, 2020, the four agencies charged with serving DC utility consumers unveiled here2helpdc.dc.gov, which is designed to inform residents and businesses about energy and money-saving initiatives to help them minimize the negative impacts of the (coronavirus) COVID-19 pandemic

> On July 24, 2021, the Mayor issued an order extending the public health emergency until October 8, 2021

Florida

> Cost Tracking (Jul 7)

> Cost Tracking (Oct 6)

> Deposit Refund (Oct 6)

N/A

> Approval of Gulf Power Company’s request to track and record COVID-19 related costs

> Approval of Sebring Gas System, Inc.’s emergency petition to waive customer late payment charges

> Acceleration of reductions to customers’ bills based on lower fuel costs for four largest electric utilities

> On October 6, the commission approved Florida Public Utilities Companies’ and Utilities Inc. of Florida’s separate requests to track and record COVID-19 related costs, allowing the utilities to defer recovery of certain costs due to events beyond their control and seek potential recovery through rates at a later time

> On October 6, the commission approved Florida Power & Light Company’s request to provide a one-time accelerated residential customer deposit refund for qualifying customers to help ease the burden for customers who are experiencing adverse financial impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Georgia

> Docket #42516 (Jun 2)

Jul 14, 2020

> On March 14, Georgia Power voluntarily suspended disconnections

> On April 7, the Commission issued an order to extend the initially voluntary suspensions until July 14; this includes suspending collection of late fees for nonpaying customers in all classes

> On June 4, the Commission voted to end the moratorium on disconnections by July 14

> On June 22, the Commission issued Order establishing a methodology for incremental bad debt due to disconnection moratorium

Hawaii

> Order No. 37189  (Jun 26)

> Order No. 37251 (Jul 31)

> Order No. 37284 (Aug 24)

> Order No. 37506 (Dec 22)

Mar 31, 2021

> Extends suspension of service disconnections

> Authorizes utilities that suspend disconnections beyond Jul 31 to book regulatory assets related to associated costs through September 1

> Payment plans (or other customer arrangements) [should be made] once disconnections resume

> Commission encourages utilities not to charge customers interest on past-due payments or impose late fees through June 30

> On July 31. Commission issued order extending suspension of disconnections until August 31 and authorizing utilities that suspend beyond that date to book regulatory assets related to costs associated with suspensions through October 1

> On August 24, Commission issued order extending suspension of disconnection of regulated utility services due to non-payment and/or assessment of other charges through December 31

> On December 22, 2020, the Commission issued an order to extend the suspension of termination or disconnection of regulated utility services due to non-payment and/or assessment of other charges through March 31, 2021

> The Commission also established utility reporting requirements, and opened Order No. 37506 as a repository for information filed by relevant Utilities on the financial effects of the disconnection suspension and related issues on Utilities and their customers, and customer outreach efforts

> Following the eventual end of the disconnection suspension, the Commission directs any Utility to develop customer payment plans for those with past due balances greater than sixty (60) days

Idaho

N/A

N/A

> Coordination with utilities

Illinois

> News Release with Link to Order (Jun 18)

> News Release (Jul 31)

> News Release (Mar 19)

Jul 26, 2020

> Moratorium on disconnections continues until Aug 1 or Phase 4 of reopening plan; whichever comes first

> Offers temporary, more flexible credit and collection procedures to qualifying customers impacted by COVID-19

> Adds additional 30 days beyond Aug 1 for most customers

> Larger utilities will then have 30 more days to notify residential consumers before disconnection notices are sent

> Waives certain deposits for qualifying residential customers for at least 6 months

> July 31, the Commission announced several of the state’s large and small regulated electric, natural gas, water and sewer utilities voluntarily agreed to keep residential customers connected until September 2020

> Moratorium on disconnections expired on July 26

> On September 21, the Commission announced the moratorium on disconnections has voluntarily been extended by several state regulated utilities through the Winter 2021 for eligible low-income residential customers, and those who self-report to utilities that they are experiencing financial or COVID-19 hardship (several utilities had previously voluntarily extended the moratorium until September 30)

> On November 10, the Commission announced the moratorium on disconnections has voluntarily been extended by several state regulated utilities through the winter of 2021 for eligible low-income residential customers, and those who self-report to utilities that they are experiencing financial or COVID-19 hardship

> On March 19 the Commission unanimously approved historic consumer protection agreements to help electric, natural gas, water, and sewer residential customers hard hit by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate outstanding consumer debt and prevent disconnections before the voluntary winter moratorium on disconnections expires on March 31, 2021

Indiana

> Press Release (Jun 29)

> Executive Order 20-33 (Jun 30)

> Announcement (August 12)

Aug 14, 2020

> Extends  moratorium on utility service disconnections for 45 days beyond the expiration of Executive Order 20-28

> Commission doubled minimum requirement (from the original order) for extended payment plans by requiring all jurisdictional utilities to offer payment plans of at least six months to all customers

> Governor issued an executive order extending prohibition of disconnection of utility services for all utility companies, regardless of how they are regulated by the Commission, until August 14

> Moratorium ends on August 14; Commission issues order requiring extended payment arrangements through October 12; the Commission declined to extend the disconnection moratorium for concern that customers may not enter into a payment arrangement until they face actual disconnection.

Iowa

> Docket No. SPU-2020-3 (May 20)

> Iowa Residential Utility Disruption Prevention Program (Oct 9)

July 1, 2020

> Update to prior orders; extends winter moratorium on service disconnection for eligible customers until May 1, 2020

> The new order instructs IOU's to suspend disconnections until the governor lifts the state of emergency in Iowa.

> May 20, the IBU updated the March 27 order and instructed IOU's to allow at least one year of non-payment for eligible customers; disconnections may resume on or after July 1.

> On October 9, Governor announced a utility disruption prevention program (funded by the CARES Act), which can provide households with up to $2,000 for water, natural gas and electric bills to help customers who lost income due to COVID-19.

Kansas

> Order No. 20-GIMX-393-MIS (May 21)

May 31, 2020

> Electricity disconnections for nonpayment by small commercial and residential customers expired May 31

> Commission reserves authority to resume suspensions, if needed

> Commission requires availability of repayment plans for 12 months; prohibits collection of late fees for any balance in arrears

Kentucky

> Case No. 2020-00085 (Jun 23)

> News Release (Sep 21)

> Governor’s Executive Order (Oct 19)

Nov 6, 2020

> Suspended disconnections for non-payment or collection of late fees until further notice

> No mention of reconnections or repayment plans

> On June 23, Commission staff requested information on disconnections from regulated utilities

> On September 21, the Commission announced modifications to their March order, including extending the moratorium on the assessment of late payment charges for residential customers until December 31. While the moratorium on disconnection ends on October 20, the order takes steps to ensure disconnection of residential utility service for non-payment is stalled. Utilities are required to establish repayment plans no less than 6 months

> On October 19, Governor signed an executive order ending the statewide moratorium on November 6. The order also designates $15 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to help customers who face disconnections and requires utilities to provide a payment plan over at least six months for residential customers

Louisiana

> Executive Order (Mar 13)

> Special Order 43-2020 (Jul 1)

> Special Order 44-2020 (Jul 1)

Jul 16, 2020

> Commission prohibited all jurisdictional utilities from disconnecting customers for non-payment of utility bills

> On May 27, PSC issued Special Order 28- 2020, which amends Special Order 22-2020

> Special Order 43-2020 supersedes Special Order Nos. 22-2020 and 28-2020 and terminates the suspension of disconnections after the first billing cycle following July 16.

> Special Order 43-2020 also maintains that all jurisdictional utilities shall temporarily provide payment plans or levelized billing for recovery of past due balances for residential customers for a period of up to 12 months

> Special Order 44-2020 authorizes jurisdictional utilities to record, as a regulatory asset, expenses incurred from the suspension of disconnections and collection of late fees imposed by the Disconnection Orders

Maine

> Case No: 2020-00136 (Jun 16)

> Case No. 2020-00081 (Jul 10)

> Announcement (Sep 15)

Nov 1, 2020

> On March 16, the Commission ordered all electric utilities to suspend disconnection for all customer classes until further notice.

> On April 28, the Commission announced it will seek input on and begin to analyze in detail how the pandemic will impact utilities, customers' ability to pay their utility bills, and any federal resources available to help both customers and utilities with their ongoing obligations

> On July 10, the commission issued an order clarifying the initial disconnection moratorium

> Commission ordered to end the emergency moratorium on utility disconnection on November 1, 2020. Commission policy is in place that limits disconnections during the winter for electric and gas customers between November 1 and April 15.

Maryland

> Executive Order No. 20-06-29-01 (5-29)

> Administrative Docket PC53 (Jul 8)

> Executive Order 20-07-31-01 (Jul 31)

> Press Release (Sep 1)

Nov 15, 2020

> Governor issued Executive Order prohibiting the suspension of residential electric service or the charging of late fees on nonpaying customers for duration of the declared emergency or until July 1; order was extended.

> On July 8, Commission issued several questions to electric and gas utilities to examine COVID-19 impacts on utilities and customers

> The Commission will consider in a future proceeding whether recovery of the amounts detailed in the asset, are just and reasonable as well as the appropriate recovery period.

> On July 31, governor issued an amended Executive Order extending prohibition on residential utility service terminations and late fees until September 1

> On September 1, following the expiration of the Governor’s order, the commission issued an emergency action that prohibits residential utility service terminations through November 15

> The September 1 commission action requires 45 days advanced notice for service termination (until October 1) so that residential customers in arrears can establish payment plans or apply for energy assistance programs and requires utilities to offer minimum 12-month payment plans; prohibits down payments or deposit requirements to begin payment plans

Massachusetts

> Order (Mar 24)

> Order D.P.U. 20-58-B (Jul 31)

> Order D.P.U. 20-58-B (Nov 15)

> Chair's Eighth Set of Orders under G.L. c. 25, s. 4B  (Feb 26)

Jul 1, 2021

> Requests the extension of the winter Moratorium (normally from November 15 through March 15) for residential ratepayers until the state of emergency is lifted or otherwise directed by the Department, whichever comes first

> Customer Assistance Working Group submitted recommendations on May 29 including extending payment plans and waiving late fees; extend arrearage management plans; outreach to customers; continuation of the shut-off moratorium; and other state activities

> Department of Public Utilities issued an Order instituting increased protections for customers of electric and gas utilities and extending the prohibition on investor-owned utility companies shutting off gas and electric utility service to customers for nonpayment; shutoff moratorium extends until August 31 for businesses and November 15 for residents

> The Order prohibits investor-owned utility companies from shutting off gas, electric, and water utility service to residential customers for failure to pay a bill or a portion of a bill until July 1, 2021.

Michigan

> Press Release (July 1)

N/A

> Voluntary (except for water utilities)

> Utilities initially agreed to suspend shutoffs and allow a 30-day medical hold for impacted customers.

> Commission ordered utilities to report the number of disconnections, despite the protections enacted.

> Utilities reported reconnecting 1,445 such meters between April 30 and June 26.

> Utilities to waive deposits and reconnection fees for qualifying customers

> Utilities extended access to flexible payment plans

Minnesota

> Initial Letter (Mar 25)

> Commission Docket No. 20-375 (Mar 25)

> Press Release (Jun 18)

> Executive Order 20-83 (Aug 12)

> Executive Order 20-89 (Sep 11)

> Cold Weather Rule (Oct 8)

> Executive Order 20-92 (Oct 12)

> Relief Program (Nov 6)

> Emergency Executive Order 20-97

> Executive Order 20-100 (Dec 14)

> Emergency Executive Order 21-08 (Feb 12)

Aug 2, 2021

> On March 24, the Commission urged utilities to extend consumer protections for impacted customers due to non-payment for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency; letter also encourages reconnections, suspends the collection of late fees, and requests that electric companies provide payment options to customers who need it.

> The electric companies are requested to file compliance data in Docket E,G999/M-20-375.

> On June 18, 2020, the Commission voted to extend moratorium through July 13, 2020, which corresponds with the governor's extension issued in EO 20-75

>  Governor issued Executive Order 20-83 extending the emergency until September 11

> On September 9, Governor issued a proclamation calling a fourth special session of the Legislature beginning today, September 11, 2020, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 2019, sections 4.03 and 12.31, subdivision 2(b)

> On September 11, Governor issued Executive Order 20-89, extending the emergency until October 12

> On October 12, Governor issued Executive Order 20-92, extending the emergency until November 12

> The Cold Weather Rule (CWR) protects and reconnects customer’s heat from October 15 through April 15; all electric and natural gas companies are required to offer this protection

> On November 6, the Commission approved a petition from Xcel Energy to provide temporary relief for commercial, and industrial customers experiencing reduced business due to COVID-19 and civil unrest

> On November 12, the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency (EO 20-01) was extended through December 14, 2020.

> Docket 20-375 provides for a 60-day notice and transition period before utilities can resume with disconnections, late fees, and other practice

> On December 14, Governor issued an executive order extending the emergency until January 13, 2021

> On February 12, Governor issued an executive order extending the emergency until March 15, 2021

Mississippi

> Docket 2018-AD-141 (Mar-15)

May 26, 2020

> Commission voted to temporarily suspend disconnections of electric power service until May 26

> Allows the state's IOU's to defer any costs, including any incremental bad debt expenses and all associated credit and collection costs, related to connections, reconnections, or disconnections for all customer classes

Missouri

> Voluntary (Mar 23)

> Case No. EE-2020-0290 (Mar 23)

> Case No. AW-2020-0356 (May 14)

N/A

> IOUs voluntarily suspended disconnections and waived late payment fees

> Commission has approved several requests from gas and electric utilities to offer consumer assistance programs, extended payment plans, forego the collection of fees related to late payments, and reconnect service to help impacted customers

> On May 14, the Commission opened working case to consider best practices for recovery of past-due customer payments

Montana

> Governor Directive (Mar 30)

Jun 30, 2020

> Governor's directive suspends service terminations for electricity, gas, sewage disposal, water, telephone, or internet services

> No late fees for may be billed or collected for the "duration of the order"

Nebraska

> Order No. NUSF-92 (Mar 25)

N/A

> On March 24, the Commission initiated a new docket, PI-234, to address commission and utility response to COVID-19

> On March 25, the Commission order allows carriers to seek reimbursement for providing service to low-income families; the Order makes one-million dollars available through the NUSF Broadband Adoption program to assist carriers in providing low-income subscriber’s access to broadband to facilitate online learning.

> LB 933 was introduced in the state senate; the bill changes the provisions relating to discontinuance of utility service and limits disconnection fees to the actual and reasonable costs incurred by the utility.  It also requires a utility to publish disconnection information on its website and to mail its policies to a person upon request.  The PRB has no statutory authority over disconnections, but the staff does receive numerous calls on the topic.

Nevada

> Utility Shutoff Information (Mar 20)

> Order (Mar 27)

N/A

> Coordination with utilities

> On March 27, Emergency Order directs all rate-regulated jurisdictional utilities to track expenses related to suspending the termination, discontinuance, and/or disconnection of services.

New Hampshire

> Docket No. 20-089 (Jun 4)

> Governor’s Executive Order 2020-04 (Jun 26)

> Extension of Executive Order 2020-16 (Aug 7)

> Extension of Executive Order 20-16 (Oct 9)

> Extension of Executive Order 20-21 (Oct 30)

> Executive Order 2020-23 (Nov 20)

> Executive Order 2020-24 (Dec 11)

> Executive Order 2020-25 (Jan 1, 2021)

> Executive Order 2021-01 (Jan 22, 2021)

Feb 12, 2021

> Governor’s Emergency Order #3: Pursuant to EO 2020-04, suspends disconnection of electric service due to nonpayment for the duration of the emergency

> Order also disallows collection of late fees during the emergency and requires IOU's to allow repayment over at least 6 months from the end of the emergency

> On June 4, the Commission initiated a docket to investigate the impacts of COVID on utility operations, collections, revenues, finances, accounting, customer assistance measures, and ratemaking impacts

> On June 30, 2020, Governor Sununu issued Emergency Order 58, ending Emergency Order #3 effective July 15, 2020

> On August 7, Governor suspends the disconnection of electric service due to non-payment for the duration of the emergency.

> Order also disallows the collection of late fees during the emergency and requires IOU's to allow repayment over at least 6 months from the end of the emergency.

> On October 9, the Governor extended all provisions of Executive Order 2020-04, as extended by Executive Orders 2020-05, 2020- 08, 2020-09, 2020-10, 2020-14, 2020-15, 2020-16, 2020-17, and 2020-18 and all Emergency Orders issued pursuant thereto, shall remain in full force and effect through the expiration date of this Executive Order 2020-20 (21 days)

> Winter moratorium is effective from November 15 until March 31

> On October 30 the Governor extended the emergency declaration until November 20

> On December 11, Governor issued a thirteenth extension of the State of Emergency for a period of 21 days

> Under an agreement reached with the NH Public Utilities Commission, utilities are offering customers with past due balances accrued during New Hampshire’s State of Emergency long-term flexible payment arrangements

> Governor issued a twelfth extension of the State of Emergency for a period of 21 days

> On January 1, Governor issued a fourteenth extension of the State of Emergency for a period of 21 days

> On January 22, Governor issued a fifteenth extension of the State of Emergency for a period of 21 days

New Jersey

> Press Release

> Executive Order 190

> Executive Order #229 (Mar 3)

> Executive Order 246 (Jun 15)

Dec 31, 2021

> Governor’s state of emergency declaration encouraged IOU's to suspend disconnections due to non-payment until further notice

> On March 13, the Commission announced that the state’s public electric and gas utilities have agreed to suspend service shutoffs

> Customers are encouraged to reach out to their respective IOU's if they are having difficulty paying their electric bills

> On April 13, Governor’s Executive Order 126 prohibits providers from terminating Internet and voice service due to nonpayment until 30 days after the state’s emergency end; late fees due to nonpayment are also prohibited

> On October 15, Governor signed Executive Order No. 190, extending a disconnection moratorium for residential customers through March 15, 2021; applies to all residential gas, electric and water utilities, both public and private. Further, the utilities will not be charging late fees nor fees to reconnect services that have been disconnected. The ban on internet disconnections has also been extended until November 15, 2020.

> Governor signed Executive Order No. 229, extending a moratorium preventing New Jersey residents from having their utilities disconnected through at least June 30, 2021. The moratorium applies to all residential gas, electric and water utilities, both public and private. Further, the utilities will not be permitted to charge late fees nor fees to reconnect services that have been disconnected.

> On June 15, 2021, Gov. Murphy issued an executive order lifting the moratoria disconnection on July 1, 2021; allows for a 6-month disconnection and late fee collection grace period.

New Mexico

> Governor’s Order (Jun 30)

> Public Health Order (Jul 30)

> Executive Order 2020-059 (Aug 28)

> Executive Order 2020-64 (Sep 18)

> Public Health Order (Oct 16)

> Public Hearing on 20-00159-UT Rulemaking (Oct 21)

> Docket 20-00159-UT (Oct 21)

> Public Health Emergency Order (Dec 30)

> EO 2021-30 (Jul 15)

Jul 23, 2021

> On March 19, PSC issued an order that disconnections for non-payment are suspended for the duration of the Emergency Executive Orders; late fees related to these bill payments shall be waived

> On June 30, the Governor issued new Order to extend the moratorium until July 30

> The most recent Public Health Order took effect on July 30 and remains in effect through August 28

> Governor introduced Executive Order 2020-059 to renew the state of public health emergency declared in Executive Order 2020-004; extends Executive Orders 2020-022, 2020-026, 2020-030, 2020-036, 2020-053, and 2020-55 through September 18

> On September 18, the Governor extended the public health emergency until October 16

> On October 16, the Acting Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Health signed a new Public Health Emergency Order clarifying that current guidance documents, advisories, and emergency public health orders remain in effect until November 13

> On October 21, the Commission unanimously approved issuing an order that will be effective starting November 10, placing a moratorium in effect through January 6, 2021

> On December 30, the New Mexico Department of Health issued a Public Health Emergency Order, active through January 29, 2021

> The PRC held a hearing on January 6, 2021 and voted to extend the moratorium until January 29, 2021

> The PRC will hold an open meeting on January 19 to discuss future moratoria and the post-pandemic transition

> On February 3, the PRC approved a measure giving large IOUs and gas utilities with more than 100,000 meters, a 100-day moratorium on residential disconnections, followed by a 90-day transition period under the new order. Water utilities, small gas utilities, and rural electric cooperatives will have a 45-day moratorium on residential disconnections followed by a 45-day transition period. Under the order, utilities are required waive late fees and to make efforts to get their customers onto repayment plans, at least through November 1, 2021.  Utilities will also need to provide monthly reports to the PRC

> On July 15, 2021, the PRC issued an order amending the disconnection moratorium until July 23, 2021 (following recently issued EO 2021-30)

New York

> PSC Announcement (Mar 13)

> Docket No. 20-01253/20-M-0266 (Jun 11)

> State Legislation (Jun 17)

> Proposed State Legislation (Feb 24)

> State Legislation S01452 (May 11)

180 days after emergency order is lifted,
or Dec 31, 2021

> In response to Governor’s directive, Commission announced it would work with utilities to ensure any impacted customers will not lose power or heat due to financial hardship

> On June 11, the PSC starts proceeding to examine impacts on rate-setting, rate design, low-income programs, collections and termination of service, among other issues

> State passed legislation that established a new moratorium on all water, gas, and electric utility service for residential customers due to non-payment for the duration of the state disaster emergency

> Law extends moratorium on utility shutoffs for 180 days beyond when the state of emergency has been lifted or has expired (until March 31, 2021) for qualifying impacted customers; requires utilities to offer a restructuring of payments owed

> Legislation was advanced that would extend moratorium on utility termination of services after the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted or expires for a period of 180 days after such expiration or until December 31, 2021 whichever is later.

> On May 11, 2021, the state legislature passed S01453, extending the moratorium on disconnections until 180 days after the state of emergency is lifted or December 31, 2021, whichever is earlier

North Carolina

> Governor's Executive Order No. 124 (May 30)

> Docket No. M-100 Sub 158 (Jun 19)

> Dockets (Jul 29)

Sep 1, 2020

> On March 31, Governor’s Executive Order No. 124 prohibits utilities from disconnecting customers unable to pay during the pandemic and from collecting fees, penalties or interest for late payments

> Order applies for 60 days and gives residential customers at least six months to pay outstanding bills; requires no-fee for reconnection

> On May 30, governor extended moratorium protections until July 29

> Corresponding NCUC Docket M-100 Sub 158; on June 19, Commission issued revised Second Monthly Report to the Governor Regarding Executive Order 124

> On July 29, conditionally lifts disconnection moratorium; allows collection of arrearages pursuant to repayment plans

> On September 1, all jurisdictional electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater public utilities may proceed with collection of past due / delinquent amounts accrued up to and including August 31, 2020, subject to conditions

North Dakota

> COVID19 Office and Hearing Procedures (Jun 19)

N/A

> No related orders

> On June 19, Commission released COVID-19 office and hearing procedures

Ohio

> Case No. 20-0591-AU-UNC (Apr 8)

N/A

> On March 13, Commission ordered that the winter reconnection order in Case No. 19- 1472-GE-UNC be extended through May 1 to allow for additional time for companies to review their disconnection/reconnection policies

> Commission ordered the state's IOU's to review their disconnection and reconnection policy, but have not ordered new rules

> On April 8, Commission authorized each eligible public utility to obtain loans from the Federal Paycheck Protection Program

Oklahoma

> Media Advisory (Mar 13)

N/A

> Commission’s is coordinating a voluntary effort by the state’s utilities to help those impacted

Oregon

> Media Release (Apr 20)

> Order 20-401 (Nov 4)

N/A

> Commission confirms regulated utilities have taken steps to ensure customers have continued services during pandemic

> Commission hosts event on June 9 to discuss impacts to residential utility customers during COVID-19 and future recovery

> Utilities have suspended service disconnections and late payment fees

> Among other refinements, the November 4, 2020 Stipulated Agreement clarifies conditions on the length of Time Payment Arrangements; and clarifies that the arrearage management program of at least 1 percent of each utilities' Oregon retail revenues (approximately $39 million combined total for all utilities) is a one-time funding amount.

Pennsylvania

> Docket No. M-2020-3019244

> Governor's Amendment (Jun 3)

> Governor's Amendment (Aug 31)

> Docket No. M-2020-3019244 (Oct 8)

> Governors Proclamation Renewal (Feb 19)

> Press Release (Mar 11)

Apr 1, 2021 for Qualifying Customers

> Commission issued Emergency Order prohibiting termination service during the Proclamation Disaster Emergency

> Amendment to Proclamation of Disaster order was issued June 3, extending for 90 days

> On August 10, commission explored possible safeguards for utility terminations and consumer protections before the August 27 public meeting

> On August 31, Governor extends Proclamation of Disaster Emergency (2^nd Amendment) until rescinded or terminated by law

> On October 8, the Commission announced that the absolute utility service moratorium is lifted and disconnections may commence effective November 9; the order included several modifications to existing termination policies (see order)

> The October order lifted the absolute ban on public utility service terminations by impacted utilities effective November 9, 2020, but provided additional protections for consumers

> The governor renewed the proclamation that extends the emergency declaration (and Phase 2 customer protections) from February 22 to May 19, 2021

> On March 11, the Commission approved a plan that establishes an array of extended payment plan options to help residential and small business utility customers stay connected to service while gradually paying-down past-due balances.

> All Commission-regulated electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunications, and steam utilities are required to modify their existing collection policies to provide additional payment plan options for residential and small business customers; the Commission’s utility service termination moratorium for qualifying customers will be lifted, effective April 1, 2021.

Rhode Island

> Docket No. 5022 (June 30)

> Notice (Mar 19)

Jul 17 / Sep 30 / Nov 1

> On May 28, Commission extends termination moratorium for regulated utilities until July 17

> Directs utilities to conduct customer outreach regarding payment plans

> Directs utilities to suspend late fees, credit card charges, and interest until further ruling of the Commission

> On June 30, Commission requested comments before July 13 meeting to discuss lifting of moratorium on or after July 17

> Commission extended moratorium on service terminations for nonpayment for National Grid customers enrolled in electric or gas low income rate through November 1 (the start of the winter moratorium)

> Moratorium for all other National Grid residential customers extended to September 30

> Moratorium for all other regulated utilities expired on Friday, July 17

> Commission directed utilities to conduct outreach for customers with arrearages to discuss payment plans and related issues; directed utilities to suspend late fees, credit card charges, and interest until further ruling of the PUC

> The winter moratorium on gas and electric service terminations for nonpayment starts on November 1, 2020 and runs to April 15, 2021; on March 19, 2021, the PUC extended the winter moratorium on service disconnections for “protected status” customers of National Grid through June 25, 2021.

South Carolina

> Docket No. 2020-106-A (Jun 10)

May 14, 2020

> Letter from Governor encouraged Commission to adopt rules suspending disconnection during state of emergency

> On March 16, Commission ordered IOU's to suspend disconnections and waived requirements for reconnection and late fees

> On May 7, Commission ordered rules imposing a 6-month minimum repayment period

> On May 14, Commission approved (Order 2020-374) Staff motion to vacate moratorium on disconnections

South Dakota

> Announcement (Apr 17)

N/A

> Many utilities suspended disconnections for non-payment

Tennessee

> Docket N0. 20-00047 (Jul 20)

> Press Release (Aug 10)

Aug 29, 2020

> Requires all jurisdictional utilities to suspend disconnection of service for lack of payment during the state of emergency

> After the suspension of the emergency, the TN PUC will reconsider recommendations pertaining to the moratorium

> Order also instructs IOU's to suspend the accrual or collection of late fees, requires reconnection, and repayment programs to be implemented for all impacted customers

> Commission held virtual meeting on June 29; following the meeting, commission requested information to support evaluation of financial impacts of the pandemic and the related moratorium on customer disconnects for nonpayment

> Commission ordered continuation of initial order through next regularly scheduled conference on August 10

> On August 10, commission adopted a motion to lift the moratorium on service disconnections for nonpayment on August 29; disconnections are prohibited until utility provides 30 days of notice for non-paying customers

Texas

> News Release (Jul 2)

> Staff Memo (Aug 10)

> Commission Meeting (Aug 13)

> Emergency Order (Feb 21)

Sep 30, 2020

> On March 26, commission suspended rules pertaining to disconnection of service for non-payment (Extended until August 31)

> March 26 order creates COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program:  funding mechanism through which utilities may recover a reasonable portion cost of providing uninterrupted services to non-paying customers

> Offers bill payment assistance using funds from a rider charge applied to the bills of electricity customers across ERCOT

> Participating utilities must suspend late fees and offer deferred payment plans to residential customers in danger of disconnection

> Commission approved staff memo that recommended enrollments end on August 31 and program benefits extend until September 30

> On February 21, the commission ordered an immediate suspension of disconnections for non-payment until further notice, including ordering utilities not to process disconnections and a continuation of the COVID-19 measure under which REPs are required to offer deferred payment plans to customers when requested.

Utah

> Docket No. 20-999-01 (Apr 23)

N/A

> Division of Public Utilities recommends no action by the Utah Public Service Commission for temporary changes the electric utilities have made regarding disconnection, late fee, and related practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; recommends Commission take no action at this time

Vermont

> Case 20-0703-PET (May 28)

> Case 20-0703-PET (Jul 30)

> Case 20-0703-PET (Sep 23)

> Announcement (Oct 8)

> Emergency Rule 2.600 (Oct 15)

> Vermont COVID-19 Arrearage Assistance Program (Oct 21)

> Announcement and Link to Order (Dec 22)

> Order Extending Moratorium (Jun 24)

Jul 15, 2021

> Moratorium on service disconnections due to non-payment begins on March 18

> May 28 order extends moratorium until July 31 and direct utilities to file post-moratorium plans with Commission

> July 30 order extends temporary moratorium until September 30.

> On September 23, the Commission issued another order extending the temporary moratorium of involuntary utility disconnections through October 15 (consistent with the Governor’s most recent extension of the state of emergency)

> On October 8, the Commission announced that the temporary moratorium on utility service disconnections will end on October 15, 2020 and ordered new, mandatory consumer protections for utility customers who are facing economic hardships as a result of the pandemic.

> On October 16, the moratorium on gas, electric, and basic telephone disconnections will be lifted in order to encourage greater participation in the Vermont COVID19 Arrearage Assistance Program that distributes federal funds

> The Vermont COVID-19 Arrearage Assistance Program (VCAAP) provides financial support to customers of regulated utilities who may face disconnection of service because of past-due balances. Funds for this program were made available through the federal CARES Act.

> On December 22, 2020, the Commission issued an order reinstating the temporary moratorium of natural gas, electric and traditional landline telephone service through March 31, 2021

> On June 24, 2021, the PUC issued an order partly approving and partly denying VT Legal Aid and VT PIRG motion to extend the disconnection moratorium until August 30, 2021. 

> The PUC extended the moratorium until July 15 in order to allow utilities to implement additional customer protections.

Virginia

> Case No. PUR-2020-00048 (Jun 12)

> News Release (Aug 24)

> Additional Order on Moratorium (Sep 15)

> VA State Legislature Special Session   (Nov 18)

Sep 1, 2021

> Regulated utilities must offer extended payment plans with no late fees or reconnection charges to impacted residential and small business customers

> Extends ban on utility service cut-offs to August 31

> Commission extended moratorium until September 16.

> On September 15, the Corporation issued an order following a request from the Governor extending the general moratorium on utility shutoffs through October 5

> On November 18, the legislature passed an act that prohibits utilities from disconnecting service to residential customers for non-payment of bills or fees until the Governor determines that the economic and public health conditions have improved such that the prohibition does not need to be in place, or until at least 60 days after such declared state of emergency ends, whichever is sooner

> The state of emergency will end on July 1, 2021; the moratorium expired 60 days after on September 1, 2021

Washington

> UTC COVID-19 Response (Jun 16)

> Governor's Proclamation 20-23.7 (Jul 31)

> Commission News Release (Oct 6)

> Docket U-200281 (Oct 6)

> Governor’s Proclamation 20-23.11 (Oct 14)

> COVID-19 Utility Assistance

> Commission Meeting (Feb 17)

> Docket U-200281 (Feb 17)

Jul 31, 2021

> On March 19, Governor allowed UTC to repurposed relief energy bill assistance funds to support qualifying customers

> On March 25, regulators fast tracked $51 million in refunds to keep Avista rates steady

> On April 10, regulators approved COVID-19 bill assistance for Avista and Puget Sound Energy customers

> May 31, Governor extended moratorium on service disconnects and late fees through July 28

> On July 31, Governor issued a proclamation, extending the pause on disconnections, refusing reconnections, and charging late fees; utilities (including telecommunications) should proactively reach out to customers with overdue accounts to encourage payment arrangements

> On October 6, the commission ordered investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities to continue a moratorium on disconnections for nonpayment until April 30, 2021; utilities will continue to waive deposits for new customers and all late fees through Oct. 27, 2021

> All utilities must also create a COVID-19 bill payment assistance program funded at 1% of their Washington state retail revenues, in addition to any existing local and federal assistance programs.

> On October 14, the Governor issued a proclamation that prohibits energy, water and landline telephone companies from disconnecting any residential customers due to nonpayment on an active account, except at the request of the customer, until December 31, 2020; utilities have an additional agreement with the commission to voluntarily extend moratoriums until April 30, 2021

> Energy companies are banned from disconnecting service or charging late fees through April 30, 2021; however, customers are still responsible for unpaid balances

> The Commission extended an order — previously set to expire on April 30 — preventing investor-owned energy utilities from disconnecting customers for nonpayment through July 31. Utilities will also continue to waive late fees and deposits through Jan. 27, 2022.

> On May 18, 2021, the UTC confirmed the expiration date of the moratorium to be July 31, 2021

West Virginia

> General Order 262.5 (Jun 17)

Jul 1, 2020

> Urged all utilities to suspend utility terminations except where necessary

> June 17, 2020 order will lift moratorium on disconnections and late fees after July 1

> Public utilities may resume disconnection for nonpayment pursuant to the guidelines described herein

Wisconsin

> Docket No. 5-UI-120 (Jun 26)

> News Release (Aug 20)

> New Release (Sep 17)

> Docket No. 5-UI-120 (Oct 29)

Apr 15, 2021

> Directed IOU's to cease disconnecting residential service for nonpayment until end of state public health emergency

> Instructs IOU's to make reasonable attempts to reconnect service to an occupied dwelling that has been disconnected

> Orders suspension of late fees on non-payment customers and instructs IOU's to offer flexible repayment options

> June 26 supplemental order directs the lifting of temporary prohibition against disconnecting; allows utilities to issue disconnection notices on July 15, with a minimum 10-day window so that the first date of disconnection would occur on or after July 25; PSC also voted to allow utilities to commence charging late payment fees on debts incurred after July 15

> On August 20, the commission voted to continue to stay a portion of its June 26 order, extending the moratorium on utility residential customer disconnections and refusal of service for nonpayment until October 1

> On September 17, the commission voted to continue to stay a portion of its June 26 order, extending the moratorium on utility residential customer disconnections and refusal of service for nonpayment until November 1.

> The standard winter moratorium takes effect November 1, preventing electric and gas disconnections through April 15

> Supplemental Order on Residential Disconnection-Third in Docket 5-UI-120 extends the COVID moratorium in effect through April 15, which applies to all residential electric, gas, and water service. “This is the Order staying until April 15, 2021, the date on which a utility’s authorization to disconnect or refuse residential service for nonpayment takes effect”

> On March 18, the Commission voted unanimously to allow utilities to move forward with disconnection of service for nonpayment at the end of the annual winter moratorium after April 15, 2021.

> The Department of Administration’s Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) and utilities ensure energy assistance and crisis funding, including an additional $8 million in LIHEAP funds that were available through the federal CARES Act, to qualifying households to help manage heating season energy costs and, in the case of crisis funds, decrease customers' arrears.

Wyoming

> Docket No. 90000-151-XO-20 (Mar 26)

N/A

> Authorized public utilities to suspend discontinuation of service, imposition of late fees, and similar tariffs, rules, regulations and terms of service for the purpose of mitigating the impact on customers during the public health emergency related to the COVID-19 virus.