Submitted by State Sen. Norm Needleman
(May 3, 2023) — The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority announced it has extended the utility shutoff moratorium for gas and electric service disconnections for residential financial hardship customers until October 31, 2023.
The announcement came after State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg and State Sen. Norm Needleman, co-chairs of the General Assembly’s Energy and Technology Committee, addressed a letter to PURA leaders requesting the extension. Thousands of people would be at risk of struggling during high summer heat without this change.
This extension will pair with the Winter Protection Program, to be in place from November 1, 2023 to May 1, 2024, and will protect vulnerable customers from shutoffs for another year and allow them access to a more affordable discount rate for low-income customers that will start on January 1, 2024.
