People who owe money on utility bills will be disconnected beginning July 25 unless arrangements are made.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) is urging electric, natural gas, and water utility customers with outstanding bills to make payment arrangements or apply for assistance before the COVID-19 moratorium on disconnections for nonpayment ends.
PSC Division Administrator Kristy Nieto says customers behind in payments are being given a notice of termination. She says they should call their utility to discuss it...
"Call the utility, enter into that payment agreement. If the service is energy service, electric or gas, a customer may also wish to contact contact the Home Energy Plus program and apply for energy assistance...."
A number to call for energy assistance is 1-866-HEATWIS.
The PSC decision requires utilities to continue offering deferred payment agreements to all customers through August 15. The PSC has required utilities to temporarily waive disconnections for customers who are infected or recovering from COVID-19. Generally, utility disconnections must be postponed when there's a medical emergency in the home.
Nieto says the PSC is continuing to monitor utilities' disconnection plans, payment plan terms, and customer notices to ensure they conform to existing orders, administrative code, and state law.
