As the Sept. 1 deadline to end the moratorium on utility shut-offs looms, Milwaukee activists and public leaders are pushing to extend it.
And they’re also making plans in case it doesn’t.
The moratorium, which went into effect because of health and economic concerns from COVID-19, prevents utilities from disconnecting customers who cannot pay their bills. It was originally set to end on Aug. 1 but was extended by the PSC on July 24.
The state Public Service Commission is scheduled to discuss the issue Thursday.
Leaders in Milwaukee say the moratorium needs to be extended.
“In light of the twin public health and economic crises facing Wisconsin’s residents, a Commission order allowing disconnections to commence on September 1 would be unjust, unreasonable, and harm the interests of the public,” Milwaukee City Attorney Tearman Spencer wrote in an Aug. 10 letter.
Ald. Khalif Rainey, who authored a letter on behalf of the Milwaukee Common Council in July seeking an extension of the moratorium, said utility consumers still need more time.
“The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, but we’re still in a pandemic,” Rainey said.
Rainey said if the moratorium ends, he will propose options for assisting people in paying their utility bills, including the use of federal CARES Act funding.
The Rev. Dana Kelley, lead organizer for North Side Rising, urges people to call the PSC to voice their concerns. North Side Rising is a nonprofit organization that advocates for residents who live on the North Side.
Kelley said she wants to see the moratorium extended to Nov. 1 but is not sure it will be. During the PSC meeting in July, Commissioner Ellen Nowak voted against the measure, saying it would cause financial harm in the long run.
“The PSC is doing their due diligence, but they’re not doing their best,” Kelley said.
Kelley said North Side Rising plans to meet with We Energies to discuss new ways to help those struggling to pay during the pandemic. One idea is to ask the company to create a donation option that would match bills dollar-for-dollar for those in need.
“We’re asking for so little, I think,” Kelley said.
Brendan Conway, a spokesman for We Energies, said regardless of the commission’s decision, disconnections will remain a last resort for the company.
Conway urged customers to call (800) 842-4565 to set up a payment plan or to ask for energy assistance.
Tom Content, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board, said he hopes to see utilities come up with innovative ways to help those struggling. The utility board is a consumer-advocate group that represents the interests of customers.
“We want to see a granular look and analysis of which customers are facing the biggest energy burdens,” Content said.
Content acknowledges this is not an easy time for utilities, but with more customers experiencing hardships, he thinks the moratorium is the best way forward for now.
“Many people have described this as the tsunami that follows the earthquake,” Content said.
How to watch
The Public Service Commission will meet at 10:30 a.m. Thursday.
The meeting can be viewed here.
Resources
READ: How to keep your utilities on if you are behind in payments
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