CPUC To Hold Workshop on Managing Customer Arrearages

October 07, 2022 - 

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will hold a virtual workshop on potential strategies for managing arrearages and customer service disconnections for non-payment.

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

WHERE: Access the workshop virtually via WebEx or phone, as follows:

WHAT: The CPUC will hold a virtual workshop to discuss with stakeholders and the public on how the CPUC can improve strategies for managing the number of customer disconnections and arrearages for non-payment. The discussion will look at the potential for pilot programs with community-based organizations to help customers enroll in arrearage management programs and long-term payment plans, with the goal of increasing participation. The workshop will also include a discussion on a recently released paper on arrearages, equity, and rising utility rates by University of California, Berkeley Professor Severin Borenstein. A copy of the paper is available at haas.berkeley.edu/energy-institute/research/abstracts/wp-330 or www.next10.org/publications/electricity-rates-2.

The most updated information related to the workshop, including an agenda, will be posted to www.cpuc.ca.gov/events-and-meetings/r1807005-workshop-10-17-2022.

This workshop will be virtual only and can be viewed online at cpuc.webex.com/cpuc/j.php?MTID=m1726fae3023d24ac2a908c45354c9514. If there is a technical difficulty in joining, please call 415-703-5263.

The State of California has distributed $1.4 billion to support upwards of 2.2 million struggling households during the pandemic through utility assistance programs. An additional $1.4 billion that Governor Newsom and the Legislature allocated in this year’s budget will be distributed by year’s end to support Californians who are still struggling to pay the bills. The $1.2 billion will address residential electric utility arrearages through the Department of Community Services and Development to mitigate the outstanding debt leading to increased utility rates, and $200 million will address residential water and wastewater arrearages – complementing $116 million in federal funding for water and wastewater arrearages.

The CPUC has taken action addressing arrearages and disconnections, including temporarily halting disconnections for failure to pay utility bills, expanding access to bill subsidy programs, requiring utilities to offer payment plans for customer debt, and authorizing utilities to implement Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) pilot programs, which allow a participant to pay a predetermined affordable percentage of their monthly income toward their utility electricity or natural gas bill. Given rising utility rates and inflationary concerns, the threat of arrearages continue; therefore, the CPUC continues to examine options.

Members of the public can make their voice heard in this proceeding, and read the comments of others, on our online Docket Card comment section at apps.cpuc.ca.gov/c/R1807005.

While a quorum of Commissioners and/or their staff may attend the virtual workshop, no official action will be taken.

If special accommodations are needed to attend remotely, such as non-English or sign language interpreters, please contact the CPUC’s Public Advisor’s Office at public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov or toll free at 866-849-8390 at least three days in advance of the workshop.

To receive electronic updates on CPUC proceedings, sign-up for the CPUC’s free subscription service at subscribecpuc.cpuc.ca.gov.

The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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Press Release