Addressing the Health Impacts of Utility Shutoffs Project
This project, generously funded by The San Joaquin Valley Health Fund and The California Endowment, focuses on the health impacts of utility shutoffs, including risks like pneumonia, flu, bronchitis, and dangerous practices. It includes GIS mapping, participatory research, storytelling, documentaries, policy advocacy, and reframing shutoffs as a public health issue. Additionally, it examines the role of the California Public Utilities Commission in regulating various utilities in the state.
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Addressing the Health Impacts of Utility Shutoffs This project is generously funded by The San Joaquin Valley Health Fund and The California Endowment
Background In 2015, shutoffs reached a shocking high with about 817,000 households shut off for non payment. Over 2 million people mostly children Health impacts include increased risk for pneumonia, flu, bronchitis, colds, heat stroke, hypothermia and hyperthermia Additionally: sanitation issues, dangerous heating and lighting practices, financial tradeoffs including foregoing healthy food, medicine and other necessities 2 PolicyVoice is a project of TURN
Addressing the Health Impacts of Utility Shutoffs Demographic Analysis GIS mapping Participatory Research Survey Storytelling and Narrative work Mini-documentaries Policy Advocacy Ratepayer mobilization Reframing shutoffs as a public health issue PolicyVoice is a project of TURN
Page 6 CA Public Utilities Commission Commissioners serve 6-year staggered terms. CA Governor President/Com missioner Picker Commissioner Commissioner Rechtschaffen Commissioner Guzman Commissioner Peterman Randolph The CPUC regulates privately owned telecommunications, electric, natural gas, water, railroad, rail transit, passenger transportation, and in state moving companies. CPUC Proceedings: Investigations, Rulemakings, Applications, & Complaints.
Page 6 Utility Companies In CA Regulated by a local Board of Directors or other elected officials Regulated by the CPUC Two Types Publically Owned Utilities (POUs): Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs): 1) Los Angeles Department of Water and Power 1) PG&E 2) SCE 2) Sacramento Municipal Utility District
Late or Missed Payment Another Tenant s bill Most Common Reasons For a High Bill Medical Baseline bill Estimated Bills Deposits Back billed 6
How did the bill get so high? Late or missed payments Another tenant s bill Estimated bill Deposits Medical Back billed Did not pay monthly balance Payment plan too high Bill too high Not on CARE or Medical Baseline No payment plan offered PolicyVoice is a project of TURN
If you cannot resolve the complaint with the utility, file a complaint with the CPUC. Pay the current balance due each month or until the dispute is resolved. Call The Utility Speak to a Supervisor or Manager Tell them you are disputing the past due amount Tell Utility you want to open a complaint Disputing a Bill PolicyVoice is a project of TURN
The Complaint Process for a Shutoff Customer Calls CBO Contact the Utility to dispute amount/open a complaint Find out if customer contacted the Utility File a CPUC complaint Do a Shutoff Intake What did the utility say? Negotiate PolicyVoice is a project of TURN
CARE/Medical Baseline Utility Account holder s name and address Account number 48-hour notice Status Shutoff Important Questions to ask Medical baseline customer Time period amount owed Amount Owed None offered Payment plan? How much Payments made? How much? PolicyVoice is a project of TURN
The Complaint Process for a Shutoff Yes Notify TURN of resolution Contact the Utility to dispute /negotiate/open complaint. Yes What did the Utility say? Fill out Intake Form Yes Resolved? Did the Customer Call the File CPUC complaint No Utility? Ask them to call the Utility Is this a complaint? No Explain No PolicyVoice is a project of TURN
Shutoff/48 hour notice Call the Utility File a CPUC complaint Speak to a Supervisor CPUC 800 Number Speak to a Manager PolicyVoice is a project of TURN
Consumer Rights and Protections Rights and Protections Against Power Shut-offs Utilities: Must give CARE customers 3-6 months payment plan Cannot shut-off a customer s power for nonpayment on Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays. Cannot disconnect medical baseline or life support customers without an in-person visit from a utility representative. Must notify customers before power is shut-off. Must give customer an explanation for the shut-off and their options to prevent termination. Can offer customers payment plans.
Payment Plans If you can t pay your electric or gas bill, ask for a payment plan. Keep In Mind: Payments should be affordable. Payment plan does not include the monthly service charge. Utility company may refuse to speak with an advocate if the client is not present.
What Shouldnt A Customer Pay 1) They have been back-billed more than 3 months 2) They have been coerced into paying someone else s bill. 3) Meter or Billing errors
CPUC Low-Income Programs The CPUC is responsible for administering Low-Income Programs (also known as Public Purpose Programs). FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance) Energy Savings Assistance Program CARE (CA Alternative Rates for Energy) Medical Baseline Federal Low-Income Programs LIHEAP
Page 20 Financial Assistance Programs LIHEAP (requires proof or citizenship) For All Utility Customers: REACH (administered by the Salvation Army) For PG&E Customers: Energy Assistance Fund For SCE Customers: Gas Assistance Fund (one time grant) For SoCalGas Customers: Neighbor-to-Neighbor Fund For SDG&E Customers: Each program has different eligibility requirements.
Page 19 Filing A Complaint Submitting a complaint to the CPUC directly: Include the following in a complaint: Customers name and account # File a complaint online at www.cpuc.ca.gov/static/forms/c omplaints/index.htm Service address Mailing address Call the CPUC hotline at 1- 800-649-7570 Name of the company Write a letter to the CPUC at: CPUC, Consumer Affairs Branch 505 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco, CA 94102-3298 Utility account # A brief description of the complaint Copies of any bills you are disputing
Group Exercise 1. What does Medical Baseline cover? 2. What should Medical Baseline cover? 3. Under what circumstances should people NEVER be shut off? PolicyVoice is a project of TURN
