Nashville- Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III has filed an Emergency Petition asking the Tennessee Public Utility Commission to prohibit the utilities it regulates from disconnecting service for nonpayment during the State of Emergency invoked by Governor Bill Lee. Ban for special circumstances such as extreme weather or life-threatening situation. Elderly and handicapped must have 48 hours notice. Prohibits utilities from disconnecting residential natural gas or electric service for nonpayment from December 1 to March 15 if the customer qualifies and applies for public assistance, whether or not the customer receives the benefit. Butte, MT 59701. Todays action is a follow up to the Commissions March 27, 2020 Order that will expire if the Governor does not extend the State of Emergency. August 11, 2020 . Disconnection is prohibited for Percentage of Income Plan (PIP) customers as long as they remain current with their PIP payment. emergency. Consumer line: 303-894-2070 (Denver) or 800-456-0858. The Commissions regulatory jurisdiction and authority extends only to private investor-owned public utilities and not Consumer line: 617-737-2836 or 877-886-5066. The moratorium was a pro-active measure enacted by the Commission in March of this year to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 during Tennessees State of Emergency status invoked by Governor Bill Lee. Customers unable to make payment may be eligible for amortization agreements not to exceed 12 months. Customer is required to negotiate a payment plan. If the elderly household is low-income and includes a minor, the protection against termination will apply. No disconnect if customer agrees and adheres to a payment plan. No termination of utility service between protection dates for customers at or below 250% of the Federal poverty level (150% of the Federal poverty level for customers of one specific municipal gas utility). The utility must attempt to make a payment plan with the customer before termination. ), and attorneys can advise you on your rights as well as help you get your power or water service back on. Special disconnection process for elderly and disabled. In general, municipal utilities and rural electric cooperatives are not regulated and the policies do not apply to them. Electric service theft. 30 day disconnect delay if detrimental to health, must have physician certification. Winter termination procedures: The previous day's highest temperature did not exceed 32 F, and the temperature is predicted to remain at or below that level for the next 24 hours, Must agree to special payment arrangement, During the next 72 hours, if 32 F or below during winter dates or if temperature exceeds 95 F at any timeof year. (1) (A) Knowingly tap, cut, burn, break down, injure, destroy or otherwise interrupt or interfere with the current, lines, cables, poles, towers, fixtures or appliances utilized to furnish service to the general public by any telephone or telegraph company, or electric light or power company engaged in furnishing communication, light, heat or power by electricity; or. 30 day disconnect delay with medical certificate, may be renewed 2 times. Admin. Check with your PUC/PSC contacts and/or websites below to see if the state policy applies to your utility and read the Consumer FAQs or Bill of Rights for more information. Prohibits disconnect if household has life support system; 30 day delay for certified medical condition, certificates may be renewed for 30 days or longer if a chronic condition exists. Utilities may not disconnect residential electricity service when an excessive heat watch, heat advisory, or excessive heat warning has been issued by the National Weather Service. Please check official sources. (1) (A) Knowingly tap, cut, burn, break down, injure, destroy or otherwise interrupt or interfere with the current, lines, cables, poles, towers, fixtures or appliances utilized to furnish service to the general public by any telephone or telegraph company, or electric light or power company engaged in furnishing communication, light, heat or po. Customers requesting new natural gas or electric services, who have no previous balance with their utility, may establish service under the winter reconnect order by paying $175, rather than paying the required security deposit. LIHEAP-certified customers have complete protection from Nov. 1 through March 31 regardless of temperature; utility must offer payment plan after moratorium. So before we move to eliminate and lift the suspension of cut offs, more information would be of great value to the Commission.. Consumer line: 866-380-9816 or 919-733-9277. We all know that utility services are essential-to-life services and are crucial to the publics health, safety, and welfare, added Morrison. Disconnect is prevented if customer agrees and adheres, Consumer line: 800-922-1531or 803-737-5230. Disconnections under subsections (a) and (b) are not subject to this limitation. Disconnection is delayed if detrimental to existing medical condition, written certification to utility can be renewed every 180 days as needed. In March 2020, the Commission ordered all regulated utilities to suspend disconnections for nonpayment of service - in order to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 during the state of In general, municipal utilities and rural electric cooperatives are not regulated and the policies do not apply to them. The Commissions Order invites the utilities under its regulatory oversight to file comments with the Commission on the impact of suspensions to its business operations and any relevant transitional proposals to service cut offs by July 15, 2020. Certification may be renewed another 42 days. 65-4-104 and 106 and supported by case law interpreting these code No disconnect if termination will adversely affect the occupant's health; must be certified by licensed physician or Christian Science practitioner. Customer must agree to payment plan. So most will try to offer as many grants and financial assistance programs as possible. Several of Arizona's energy vendors enforce moratoriums with varying criteria. The bad news is that the list of utilities the order. Key Lessons Special disconnection rules can protect eligible households from involuntary termination of electricity or gas service. Delay disconnect for 30 days with medical certification. Disconnection is delayed if detrimental to existing medical condition, written certification to utility can be renewed every 180 days as needed. Conservation groups have filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the nation's largest public utility from replacing a coal-burning power plant in Tennessee with one using natural gas. The Commission states that, since the state of emergency was declared, it has received no complaints related to disconnections involving any one of its regulated utilities. Residential service will not be disconnected if at 8 A.M. on the scheduled disconnection day, a National Weather Service Heat Advisory or Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for the county of the scheduled disconnection. The amendment is effective December 1 through March 31. 116, 2-4.]. 30 day delay if physician certifies that disconnect would adversely affect the health of a household member. Consumer line: 785-271-3140 (Topeka) or 800-662-0027. Need written certification from a qualified medical professional that is valid only for the length of time the health endangerment is certified to exist but no longer than sixty days. Moreover, telecommunications companies that have elected market-based regulation under Tennessee Code Annotated 65-5-109 are also not subject to the Commissions order prohibiting service disconnections. Also, cannot shut off a service that the resident needs to run their residential heating system.After November 1, a LIHEAP customer may get service reconnected with a minimum payment of $255. Utilities Applicable for Utility Districts, Authorities, and Joint Venture Utility Systems. Disconnection is delayed if a medical emergency exists or 10% of the delinquent balance is paid within 5 business days. However, in most states, the law typically requires utility companies to provide at least 10-day notice and make multiple attempts to contact you before . Disconnection is delayed for 30 days, with one renewal, if medical emergency. 30 day disconnect delay if dangerous to health or if medical or life support equipment is necessary as certified by a medical professional. Utility shall provide any residential customer whose account is delinquent an opportunity to enter into a reasonable amortization agreement to pay the delinquent account and must provide the customer with adequate opportunity to apply for and receive the benefits of any available public assitance program. [Acts 1990, ch. Financial hardship customers can also maintain service during winter period with an arrangement of 10% of total due each month. Emergency Petition . Tennessee utility easement laws can be confusing and have a large impact on your enjoyment of your property. Must have a termination notice and have been refused utility service; appliied for HEAT and Red Cross energy assistance and make a good faith effort to pay utility bill on a consistent basis during moratorium. Termination would be postponed 30 days if adverse effect on a resident's illness or disability; certification by licensed physician required. The Utilities Division assists the Commission in establishing and implementing policy regarding Tennessee's gas, water, sewer, waste water, electric, and telephone companies to result in fair and responsible regulation for all utility companies and consumers in the state. Utilities must offer payment plan of 10% down payment and equalized billing over the next 4 to 12 months. I want to be the first to acknowledge the responsiveness with which Tennessees regulated utilities along with the Attorney Delay disconnect for 30 days with medical certification. Additional notice of 30 days. Gas and electric companies must check the 72-hour weather forecast before disconnecting a customer for nonpayment. 30 day delay if physician certifies that disconnect would adversely affect the health of a household member. 13. The Commissions regulatory jurisdiction and authority extends only to private investor-owned public utilities and not to utilities services provided by any city, county, utility district or cooperative entity. Tampering with the utility's equipment. Delay disconnect for 30 days with medical certification. balance the unprecedented challenges customers and businesses faced as the state transitioned to reopening safely into an environment of normalcy for its citizens. Customers must be provided a minimum 30-day written notice of the utilitys intent to resume its procedures for The Public Service Commission has amended the states cold weather rule to ban winter natural gas disconnections of certain income-eligible households provided they make a minimum payment, about 50 percent of their bill. If the elderly household is low-income and includes a minor, the protection against termination will apply. If the temperature is expected to be 32 degrees or lower during the winter protection dates or 95 degrees or higher at any time of the year, the utility cannot turn off the power. Gas and electric service cannot be disconnected if forecast predicts a temperature of 32 or lower during the next 24 hours. Customers may utilize the winter reconnect order one time from mid October through mid April. Utilities are prohibited from terminating service to low-income households where occupants present certification that a household member is seriously ill or is an infant under 12 months of age. Hawaii Haw. Instead, disconnection moratoriums have been randomly issued and lifted by individual utilities, resulting in thousands of families losing power during an economic and public health crisis. Investor-owned utilities have agreed not to disconnect customers during the moratorium if they are not current on their bills. Consumer line: 800-522-2404, Salem: 503-378-6600. Customer is required to negotiate a payment plan. Nashville, Tennessee During a Special Conference today, the Tennessee Public Utility Commission ordered private-investor owned natural gas, electric, water, and wastewater utility companies to continue to suspend the disconnection of utility services due to nonpayment until the Commissions next conference scheduled for August 10, 2020. 4-6101; 702-486-2600 (Vegas); 775-684-6100 (Reno). Tenn. Code Ann. The utility may not require payment of more than seven percent of the customer's monthly income. To qualify, customers must notify their natural-gas supplier that they are eligible and provide written proof to the utility within two weeks. To qualify, customers must notify their natural-gas supplier that they are eligible and provide written proof to the utility within two weeks. The utility company's grace period for customers unable to pay their . Delay disconnection for 30 days if detrimental to health of a household member, certified by a health professional. Delay disconnection for 30 days if detrimental to health of a household member, certified by a health professional. No disconnect if customer agrees and adheres to payment, Consumer line: 800-382-4586 (Connecticut), 860-827-2622 (outside Connecticut). Home / ; Sample applications and contracts for utility service - including one for disconnection The utility company shall report the customer's need for assistance to the human services department and the department shall take immediate action to mitigate the problem. In summer months public utilities cannot turn off gas or electricity when it is the sole power source for the cooling if the forecast for the following 24 hours includes temperature at or above 95F; includes master-meter buildings. PROHIBITING DISCONNECTION OF SERVICE, The actions are designed to mitigate the impact of the state of emergency Butte, MT 59701. Customer is expected to enter into a payment plan. emergency. Disconnect ban if health of household member would be adversely affected, need medical certificate. No disconnect if customer agrees to payment plan. Utilities are prohibited from terminating service to low-income households where occupants present certification that a household member is seriously ill or is an infant under 12 months of age. If the customer has been shutoff, and the form is submitted within twenty one days of the shutoff, service is restored. Utility companies are advised not to disconnect residential electric or gas service during the day preceding and the day of a forecast of extreme temperature or, if the forecast precedes a holiday or a weekend day, on any day during the holiday or weekend. Disconnection is delayed 30 days if the health of a household member is adversely affected, certified by a physician and can be renewed every 30 days if illness persists. Customer with a medical certificate could postpone disconnection for up to 90 days and only once during a 12 month period. Temperature-based shutoff moratorium is left to the discretion of the utilities. Disconnection may be delayed when termination of service would be especially dangerous to the health or safety of a member of the customer's household. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area. Disconnect is not allowed unless arrears are more than $125 for gas non-heating, $225 for electric non-heating and more than $450 for gas, electric and steam heating. No disconnect for seriously ill, disabled. Utility cannot disconnect during protection dates unless it has offered a deferred payment plan and informed the customer of available energy assistance funds. Disconnection is prohibited if customer agrees and adheres to a monthly payment during the winter period. Nashville, Tennessee During a Special Conference held today, the Tennessee Public Utility Commission ordered private-investor owned natural gas, electric, water, and wastewater utility companies to suspend the disconnection of utility services due to nonpayment during Tennessees state of emergency status invoked by Governor Bill Lee. IN RE: . A medical certificate will prevent disconnection up to 6 months for non-chronic condition, up to 12 months for chronic condition and requires the customer to set up a payment plan. Utility must provide affidavit to the Commission that disconnect will not endanger the health of any household member. No disconnect if customer agrees to deferred or extended payment agreement. Disconnect ban for elderly, disabled, seriously ill, households with child under 2 years old, or recipients of unemployment compensation, federal heating assistance or have income 75% or less of state median income. Delay disconnection for 20 days if the action would adversely affect the health of a household member. 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Other previous versions. Disconnection delayed for up to two months if physician certifies that health of household member would be adversely affected. No disconnection if customer agrees to and adheres to payment plan. Customer must enter into a deferred payment plan if termination is postponed. disconnection of service due to nonpayment of bills. Xcel Energy will not shut off a customer 55 or older that lives alone during the winter months and offers 12-month protection for customers who are on ventilators. Projected population covered by utility moratoriums January 31 - April 30, 2021. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, There is a newer version of the Tennessee Code, Title 65 - Public Utilities And Carriers, Chapter 35 - Fraud, Theft or Destruction of Property. Disconnection is delayed if customers agrees to pay bill in installments within the next 90 days. Mid-Winter Rule: From January through March, residential customers who are unable to pay the full amount of their utility bill may qualify for the mid-winter rule which prohibits disconnection of service. No disconnect if customer agrees and adheres to payment plan. Customer who provides certification from licensed physician and surgeon that service termination will be lifethreatening and who is unable to pay in normal period shall be permitted to amortize over a period not to exceed 12 months. Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Utilities must delay disconnect for 30 days for customers who are age 65 or older, ill, or disabled. Generals, Consumer Advocate Unit, addressed the matter of service disconnections, said Tennessee Public Utility Commission Chairman Kenneth C. Hill. No disconnect for households with a baby 24 months old or younger that has discharge papers from a hospital on which the attending physician indicated utility service is a necessity for the health and well being of the baby. No disconnect if temperature is less than 10 F or less than 32 F for households with elderly age 62 or older. To keep customers safe, NES said it will cease disconnection from June 29 through July 4. Tennessee may have more current or accurate information. Disconnect ban for households with children under 18, elderly age 62 or older, or infirm. (615) 741-6883, Do Not Text Law To Take Effect JULY 1, 2023, Annual Cybersecurity Compliance Plan Reporting Due July 1 Click Here for Filing Information, Weatherization Assistance Programs (THDA). Temperature-based restrictions if unable to pay and has exhausted available assistance or is actively seeking assistance, or can pay, but only in installments. 21 day delay if physician, social services, public health or law enforcement officer certifies to medical or protective services (elderly, infants, disabled etc.) No disconnect for low-income natural gas customers with proof of eligibility for energy assistance. If you need legal advice on how to deal with utility or heating service disconnections, you can find free resources online. <32F (daytime), <20 F (night) or >101 F, 32 F or below or on any day a local Heat Advisory is issued. 95-617), state regulatory Any questions can be addressed with the help of an experienced real estate attorney. On March 31, 2020, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order 124 which, among other things, prohibits all end-user providers of residential water, wastewater, electric, and natural gas utility services from disconnecting these services and from charging late fee penalties. During the delay the customer is expected to agree to a payment plan. Consumer line: 602-542-4251or 800-222-7000 (Phoenix area), November 1 - March 31 (temperature-based). To ensure that none of the Tennesseans receiving natural gas, electric, water, and wastewater utility services from a utility under the Commissions jurisdiction are without continued access, I support this action to keep citizens connected during this state of public health emergency, said Commission Chair, Robin Morrison. No disconnect for all residential customers when <20 F. LIHEAP-certified customers have complete protection from Nov. 1 through March 31 regardless of temperature; utility must offer payment plan after moratorium. To qualify, residential customers must inform the utility of their inability to pay prior to disconnection and must agree to an extended payment plan. Postpones disconnection for 20 days if the customer presents a medical statement from a licensed physician which states that disconnection would be a serious and immediate threat to the health or safety of a person in the household. If you reside in the same household or are a direct family member, your name must be on the account to obtain any information. I greatly appreciate the work Tennessees regulated utilities have done during this historic time in our state and nation, added Chair Morrison. Customer must negotiate a payment plan to maintain service after delay. An investor-owned electric utility, electric cooperative, or public utility providing water service shall, upon request from a residential customer who has a Serious Medical Condition Certification Form filed with the utility, delay termination of service for a minimum of 30 calendar days beyond the expiration of the disconnect notice. 83, 280.130(m . Budget Submission Instructional Videos Estimator Tool Helpful Links Budget Memo Sample Submission Checklist, Debt Schedule, and Template Submission Checklist Debt Schedule Line Item Template Sample Resolutions Contact: Greg Mitchell, Media Cannot disconnect if a customer owes less than $50, provided that this exception may not be used for more than two billing cycles in one calendar year. No disconnect during extreme weather unless last resort after all other legal means of collection have been attempted and only if: 1) income is>250% FPG; health and safety would not be endangered due to presence of elderly, small children, or mentally disabled; and utility has an approved winter disconnection plan on file. Justia US Law US Codes and Statutes Tennessee Code 2010 Tennessee Code Title 65 - Public Utilities And Carriers Chapter 32 - Utilities' Cut-off Procedures Act View the 2021 Tennessee Code | View Other Versions of the Tennessee Code 2010 Tennessee Code Title 65 - Public Utilities And Carriers Chapter 32 - Utilities' Cut-off Procedures Act Households with income less than 150% of federal poverty guidelines must be enrolled in a payment plan. Limit on deposits. 30 day shut-off delay for seriously ill with medical certificate, can be renewed up to 3 times during the winter protection period. Section 40-3-103.6 - Disconnection due to nonpayment - connection and reconnection fees - deposits - standard practices - rules - definitions (1) The commission shall commence a rule-making proceeding to adopt standard practices for gas and electric utilities to use when disconnecting service due to nonpayment. In certain situations, a utility company can legally shut off your water without notice. 30 day disconnect delay if household member's health would be adversely affected, physician certificate can be renewed twice. Prohibited from disconnect if customer agrees and adheres to payment plan. Prohibits disconnect if customer is blind, disabled, or 62 years or older and the remaining household members are 62 years or older, 18 years or under, or blind or disabled unless the utility contacts the household 72 hours prior to termination of service for the purpose of devising a pay plan. Maryland Gov. Thank you.. Protection for hardship customers who qualify or apply for energy assistance and enter payment plan. Ban when <35, to avoid disconnect when temperature is above 35 customers must make payment schedule, meet payments and apply for aid if eligible. Winter Protection Plan for elderly 65 years or older, recipients of Medicaid, Food Stamps or state emergency relief, full- time active military personnel or persons needing critical care or having a certified medical emergency. COMMISSION ISSUES ORDER TO REGULATED UTILITIES Illinois Ill. Admin Code tit. 21 day delay if physician, social services, public health or law enforcement officer certifies to medical or protective services (elderly, infants, disabled etc.) To have service restored between November 1 and March 31, a ratepayer must make payment of one-fourth of the total arrearage plus the most recent bill and enter a payment plan with the remaining arrearage paid in installments over no less than three months or as agreed between the ratepayer and the utility. associated with COVID-19 in Tennessee. 21 day disconnect delay if household member is certified as seriously ill. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, There is a newer version of the Tennessee Code, Title 65 - Public Utilities And Carriers. Other than LIHEAP documents uploaded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or the LIHEAP Clearinghouse, the contents of the LIHEAP Clearinghouse website do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of HHS, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, organizations or program activities imply endorsement by the U.S. Government or compliance with HHS regulations. Customer is expected to enter into a payment plan. Your cooperation and willingness to partner with us in this effort undoubtedly reduced the economic burden of "If a customer is eligible for the. (As of 09/2008 no utility has an approved winter disconnection plan on file.) Utilities advised not to terminate residential service when the customer has an inability to pay and where weather will be especially dangerous to health (usually 32 F or below for winter and above 95 F for summer) as determined by the Commission. Low-income "hardship" policy - customers are entitled to have gas heat and electric service turned on between 11/1 and 5/1, even if they owe the utility company money. Customer must pay bill in installments within the next 90 days. BEFORE THE TENNESSEE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE March 31, 2020 . The winter reconnect order is issued on an annual basis by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Disconnection is prohibited if customer agrees and adheres to a payment plan. 30 day shut-off delay for seriously ill with medical certificate, can be renewed up to 3 times during the winter protection period. I also want to offer a heartfelt thanks to all of the utility personnel whose efforts are essential to safe and reliable service. No disconnect if termination will adversely afftect the occupant's health; must be certified by licensed physician or Christian Science practitioner. In addition, the customer must pay one-twelfth of any billings from the date application is made through March 15th. Welfare. 2010 Tennessee Code Title 65 - Public Utilities And Carriers Chapter 32 - Utilities' Cut-off Procedures Act 65-32-104 - Discontinuance of . We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. associated with COVID-19 in Tennessee. Utilities are required to offer payment plans to customers in danger of disconnection. Disconnection is delayed for 30 days, with one renewal, if medical emergency. Contact: Greg Mitchell, Media Disconnections are prohibited if customer agrees and adheres to payment plan. Disconnection may be delayed for 20 days if the customer has applied for financial assistance including SSI. <10 F or <32 F for households with elderly age 62 or older. Total ban between November 15 and March 15 when the forecasted low temperature for a 24 hour period beginning at 8:00 A.M. on the date of the proposed disconnection is below 32 degrees. Disconnect ban if customer declares inability to pay and income is <50% state median income and agrees to payment plan or if eligible customer pays 10% of income or the full amount of current bill (whichever is less) or if customer agrees and adheres to payment plan. Gas and electric service cannot be disconnected if forecast predicts a temperature of 32 or lower during the next 24 hours. Termination may be postponed for up to 21 days (plus one renewal) with a physician's certificate or notice from a public health official stating that termination would be detrimental to the health/safety of a person. Consumer line: 888-782-8477 (electric) 512-936-7120 (Austin electric); 515-463-7164 (gas). If life support equipment is needed a "load limiter" is installed that allows enough electricity to run the equipment. Tennessees state of emergency status invoked by Governor Bill Lee is set to expire on June 30, 2020. Consumer line: 907-276-6222 (Anchorage); 800-390-2782. No disconnect if temperatures are 32 F or below during the day, 20 F or below at night or if the predicted heat index is 101 F or greater.
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