Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
In the letter, the elected officials pointed out that losing access to basic utilities including running water, electricity, heat, and internet adds to the economic burdens already felt during theCOVID-19 pandemic.
By Michael V. Cusenza
More than 100 members of Congress recently urged the leaders of both Legislative chambers to put a nationwide moratorium on essential utility service disconnections as Americans are asked to stay home throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, 113 senators and representatives pointed out that losing access to basic utilities including electricity, water, heat, and internet adds to the economic burdens already felt during the tumultuous public health crisis. Utilities provide New Yorkers the ability to follow essential Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and help stop the spread of COVID-19. Specifically, access to running water is essential for consistent hand washing, while electricity keeps refrigerators running, allowing families to preserve food and delay trips to the grocery store, the elected officials noted.
The utility shut-off moratorium would not only provide comfort and security for American families, the pols said, but it would also begin to address the systemic issues driving utility burdens across the country. Newly unemployed Americans must pay bills while trying to stay healthy. Communities of color and rural, tribal, and low-income communities are especially impacted by utility insecurity. A moratorium would provide immediate relief and a sense of stability for vulnerable New Yorkers and families across the nation.
“We all have an essential role to play combatting the coronavirus pandemic,” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said. “As we ask people to stay home, wash their hands, and follow public health guidelines, we must ensure all Americans have uninterrupted access to critical utilities. We are in this together, and it is our duty as public officials to make these resources available for the public good.”
In the letter, the officials pushed for at least a six-month nationwide moratorium in order to provide a sufficient grace period for families to recover from unemployment and other pandemic-related impacts. Additionally, the missive requests that all late fees and bill payments for low-income families be forgiven through the end of the grace period.
“We applaud the many utilities and that have taken voluntary steps to prevent disconnections during this crisis. Many states have also issued orders to keep utility services connected.For all of us to get through this together we need to have a national policy with clear standards that utilities can follow, and ensure that no family is left behind in the patchwork of policies,” the pols wrote.“The federal government should provide utilities with support for operations as well as customers, especially in light of declining utility revenues caused by unemployment, small business shutdowns, and rising poverty.Congress cannot simply give low-wealth Americans a short-term reprieve on disconnections without ensuring them adequate time to recover from job losses and other coronavirus impacts. Families should not be condemned to a growing and unpayable utility burden that comes due at the end of this national emergency. We must ensure that these essential services are maintained when the COVID-19 pandemic threat has passed and the country’s economy has stabilized.”
