Page 51 - OPC_FlipBook

Overcoming the Consequences of a Global Pandemic
When COVID-19 spread across the globe, no city was left untouched. The circumstances in which the District of Columbia found itself were not unique, but they were unprecedented. The impacts of this crisis were profound, reverberating through every corner of society — but they were felt acutely within the realm of utility services.
As the pandemic began to unfold, Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency in March 2020, which was followed by a mandatory lockdown. The imposition of lockdowns and social distancing measures had profound effects across the local economy. Between March and April 2020, the D.C. area witnessed the loss of over 300,000 “non-farm” jobs — more than the number lost during the entirety of the Great Recession a decade earlier. Unemployment rates skyrocketed, surging from just over 3% to almost 10% in a single month.50
In the face of such widespread job loss and economic uncertainty, many residents struggled to pay their utility bills. Utility usage increased amid lowered income and heightened utility prices, which placed immense pressure on households already facing financial hardship.
OPC’s Swift Response:
Pandemic Moratorium Legislation
Recognizing the dire circumstances facing utility consumers, OPC took immediate action. The People’s Counsel wrote letters51 to each utility president, requesting that they suspend disconnections during the emergency, and worked with the D.C. Council to enact crucial legislation in March, April, and May that was designed to safeguard consumers during their hour of need. This response led to the following pieces of legislation, all of which were enacted in quick succession:
COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 202052
This pivotal legislation prohibited utility companies from disconnecting electric, gas, and water services due to nonpayment of bills or late fees during a public health emergency, and it continued to provide protection for 15 calendar days after the state of emergency was lifted.
COVID-19 Response Supplemental Emergency Act of 202053
Building on the protections for utility customers, this act extended safeguards for telecommunications services. It barred providers from disconnecting, suspending, or degrading basic services in response to nonpayment of bills, fees for service or equipment, and other charges. This legislation also applied to cable operators.
Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 202054
Recognizing the long-term economic impact of the pandemic, this act mandated that utilities offer payment plans extending at least one year to eligible customers upon request. Furthermore, it prohibited companies from reporting delinquencies to credit agencies and barred them from requiring lump-sum payments under payment plans. These provisions ensured that services would not be disconnected
for nonpayment if a customer adhered to the terms of their payment plan. Consumers who were
denied a payment plan were encouraged to contact OPC and the Public Service Commission (PSC) for assistance. This legislation was a lifeline for those struggling to keep up with their utility bills.
50 OPC’s Journey to Protect Utility Consumers