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Exemption eyed for CUC reconnection fee
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Posted on Mar 31 2008
Low-income customers will be exempted from paying utility service reconnection fees under a bill before the House of Representatives.
Customers who have had their utility service cut off must pay $60 to get the service restored.
If enacted, House Bill 16-56 will benefit residential customers of Commonwealth Utilities Corp. who are receiving or who qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
The exemption will be extended to families who have a household member with a heart illness or to an “invalid.”
The bill notes that LIHEAP recipients depend on their limited monthly allowance to pay their utility bills. However, despite getting government aid, many recipients have had their utility services disconnected because they cannot pay their share of the bills.
“It is unreasonable to expect customers who qualify for financial assistance for their utilities to be able to pay reconnection fees,” the bill states.
The measure, sponsored by Rep. Ralph Torres and four other lawmakers, is backed by the House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation, and Commonwealth. It now awaits vote on the House floor.
