IMMEDIATE ADOPTION
Number
200494
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. RAINEY, KOVAC, LEWIS, JOHNSON, AND COGGS
Title
Resolution urging the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to continue the moratorium on utility disconnections for nonpayment during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Analysis
This resolution urges the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to continue the moratorium on utility disconnections for nonpayment during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Body
Whereas, By order dated March 24, 2020 in Docket No. 5-UI-120, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin ordered that no public utility may disconnect service to any customer for nonpayment; and
Whereas, As set forth in a June 26, 2020 order, on June 11, 2020, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin voted to authorize utilities to resume disconnections effective July 25, 2020; and
Whereas, Based on the increasing spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin since the June 11 vote, by order dated July 24, 2020, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin extended the moratorium on residential customer disconnections for nonpayment until September 1, 2020; and
Whereas, The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin will meet on August 20, 2020 to discuss whether further modifications or extensions should be provided beyond September 1, 2020; and
Whereas, The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is requiring that any comments from utilities and stakeholders be filed by no later than August 10 to be considered by the August 20 meeting; and
Whereas, We Energies reported that approximately 32,000 customers, a significant number of whom are likely city of Milwaukee residents, were eligible for disconnection as of the time of its July 2020 report to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin; and
Whereas, Based on recent trends, it is likely that Wisconsin will continue to face a surge of COVID-19 cases throughout August; and
Whereas, As the majority of Commissioners determined in the July 24 order, energy utility disconnections for nonpayment put customers at risk by denying them access to basic services in their homes that are needed to meet hygiene standards and social distancing guidelines necessary to protect the customers and public health during this COVID-19 public health emergency; and
Whereas, When residential disconnections are scheduled to resume on September 1, thousands of City of Milwaukee households will depend on secure housing and basic energy utility services as their children begin the school year at home through virtual learning; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the City of Milwaukee urges the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to continue the moratorium on residential utility disconnections for nonpayment during the COVID-19 public health emergency; and be it
Further Resolved That the City Clerk’s Office is directed to work with the City Attorney to file a public comment in Docket No. 5-UI-120 consistent with this resolution.
Requestor
City Attorney
Drafter
TDM:tdm
July 24, 2020
LRB 176246-1
K. Broadnax
07.27.2020