The Department of Commerce (Commerce) recently released their Electric & Natural Gas Utilities Economic Impact Survey Analysis, highlighting the impacts COVID-19 has had on affected utilities and their customers’ ability to pay their
utility bills.
Commerce’s analysis indicates that the responding electric and natural gas utilities face at least $36 million in deferred bill payments from March through May 2020. During these months, over 22,000 households filed and received financial assistance.
Utilities expect a significant revenue reduction due to customers’ inability to pay for services.
The results of the survey informed Commerce’s primary recommendations for addressing the financial crisis experienced by many utilities as a result of COVID-19 impacts:
- Continue using funding from the Washington State Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to subsidize low-income customers;
- Consider using CARES Act funds to mitigate impacts of COVID-19 on the state’s residential energy customers; and
- Review best practices from other states on supporting small business’ ability to pay for essential utilities and determine if such options can be added to existing programs, or if existing programs could be modified to support small business
energy bill pay assistance.
For the full survey analysis and report, click here.