At a Public Utility Commission of Texas meeting Wednesday, AARP Texas said it will renew calls for the PUC to institute a total moratorium on disconnecting utility services due to non-payment.
Currently, the PUC prohibits electric providers from disconnecting service when the National Weather Service has a heat advisory in place.
, first filed alongside the Texas Consumer Association back in July, argues the state should go one step further, halting all disconnections through Sept. 15.“It kind of builds up, all of those individuals are not able to pay for their bill. The providers just kind of hold off until there’s cooler weather, and then there’s an influx of individuals that have their electricity disconnected right before there’s another heat wave,” said AARP’s State Director of Advocacy and Outreach Stephanie Mace.
Responding to a request from NBC5, Public Utility Commission of Texas Chief Press Officer Ellie Breed issued a statement: "Protecting the health and safety of Texans is the Commission’s top priority at all times. The PUCT has rules in place to ensure reliable and continuous electric service during extreme heat and cold. These rules prohibit electric providers from disconnecting service for non-payment to any customer during extreme weather events.
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