TURN wins kinder, gentler shut off policies

The California Public Utilities Commission today adopted key recommendations by TURN that will help financially struggling consumers to keep their lights on.  An average of 70,000 households in California lose their utility service every month. TURN has been advocating for utility policies that make it easier for consumers to keep service rather than harder.

“The utility companies have been too quick to pull the plug,” said Mark Toney, executive director of TURN.  “Now they will be required to help customers to keep service by offering affordable payment plans and will not be permitted to charge outrageous deposits, working with customers rather than against them.”

PG&E is pulling the plug more often, according to a recent report by the CPUC’s Division of Ratepayer Advocates.  The report documents an increase in shut-offs by PG&E last year, the first in which PG&E began using its new “smart meter” technology to shut-off customers remotely. In addition, DRA found a disturbing trend of increased shut-offs of low-income CARE customers throughout California.

“Shut-offs are a problem that can be fixed,” said Toney.  “But unreasonable deposit demands from PG&E were exacerbating the problem rather than solving it.  Toney said TURN had received a slew of call from long-time PG&E customers who were being shaken down by PG&E for huge, unreasonable deposits after just a few late payments.  “Instead of working with customers,” he said, “PG&E was hitting them when they were down.”  

TURN urges consumers who are having trouble paying their bills to call their utility immediately to request a payment plan and information about special rates and financial assistance.