In 2010, utility service was terminated for over 400,000 California households who fell behind in paying their bills, impacting nearly 1.5 million children and adults.
Countless others give up food and medicine each month to pay for power, and some pay the price with their lives.
The Utility Reform Network, a statewide consumer group based in San Francisco, has received hundreds of calls, emails and letters from consumers whose electricity and or gas service has been turned off or is about to be turned off.
TURN, along with other consumer groups and customers, has taken its concerns to the California Public Utilities Commission, advocating for stronger consumer protections to help consumers keep their electricity on.
Since February 2010, PG&E has been required to give eligible customers an affordable payment plan and a minimum of three months to pay off their delinquent bills.
It is also required to meet personally with a customer before shutting off power, and if the customer depends on power for their medical needs and is disconnected, the utility is not allowed to charge them a credit deposit to turn it back on.
The bad news is that these rules are set to expire at the end of December, and it will be at least another two months before the CPUC issues a permanent decision in the matter.
But there is good news: PG&E recently announced that it would not disconnect residential or non-residential customers from Dec. 16 of this year through Jan. 2, 2012.
If you are faced with a shut off notice, or you want to support TURN’s work to advocate for stronger consumer protections, contact The Utility Reform Network at (800) 355-8876.
Ana Montes is the Organizing Director The Utility Reform Network.