CCIF’s July 2021 report on these issues may be downloaded here.
Suddenly and drastically, COVID-19 created economic hardship for millions of electric customers. The number of residential customers “at risk” of falling behind on bills for essential electric service (many for the first time) has increased significantly. In addition, because of mandated shutdowns and stay-at-home orders, businesses of all sizes (including commercial and industrial class customers) are closing or experiencing similar economic challenges. Unfortunately, rising uncollectibles and a shrinking customer base increase the burden on all remaining customers, and public policies intended to assist customers, like blanket prohibitions on disconnects and debt collection, may have unintended consequences.
Given the magnitude and duration of the public health and associated economic crises, the collaboration of state commissioners, consumer advocates, and the electric industry on relevant matters concerning electric customers has never been more important. Therefore, CCIF will facilitate a series of dialogues aimed at recognizing electric and customer-related needs in light of economic uncertainties surrounding the pandemic as well as highlighting innovative programs and identifying potential opportunities to address those needs. Through this process, CCIF participants will explore important questions, including:
- How can we balance the need of electric customers continuing to receive service with electric companies’ need to recover costs to provide safe, affordable, reliable, equitable, and increasingly clean and resilient electric service?
- Should pre-pandemic priorities be reassessed?
- What existing electric company programs to reach and support customers are working, and what new and creative approaches should be explored?
- How might state commissioners, consumer advocates, and electric company representatives work together to both coordinate with, and secure support from, relevant local, state, and federal entities to assist customers?
A list of related links featured during the CCIF Kickoff on October 30, 2020, as well as a few others that you may find helpful, may be downloaded here.