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· TEXAS LEGAL SERVICES CENTER
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Press Release October 9, 1998 |
Contact: |
AUSTIN, TX -- The Public Utility Commission of
Texas (PUC) adopted today an emergency rule to suspend disconnection
of electricity because of the intense summer heat.
The petition was submitted by Texas Ratepayers'
Organization to Save Energy and Texas Legal Services Center and is
supported by Consumers Union, AARP, and the Office of Public Utility
Counsel. Under the emergency rule, regulated utilities may not
disconnect electricity until after September 30, 2000. The utilities
are also required to work with customers to set up a deferred payment
plan.
According to Carol Biedrzycki, executive
director of Texas ROSE, "At least 44 Texans have died because of the
heat. This ban is necessary to protect people who are afraid to use
their air conditioning for fear they won't be able to pay their bills
next month."
Under the emergency rule utilities have to work
with customers to set up affordable deferred payment plans. "Make
partial payments while the ban is in effect," Biedrzycki advised.
"Past due bills add up fast and will hit you all at one time when the
ban is lifted."
The petition claims the PUC's rules don't go
far enough to keep people safe in the Texas summer heat. This is the
second time the PUC has adopted an emergency rule on disconnection in
summer. The first was adopted on August 12, 1998.
Texas Legal Services Center executive director
Randall Chapman said, "Our office works with legal aid programs
throughout Texas helping represent their clients in utility law
matters. Many clients have access to life saving air conditioning,
but frequently won't use AC units for fear of high electric bills.
The inability to pay one's electric bill is not a capital crime in
Texas. No one should die out of fear of high electric bills. This
measure represents a balanced plan to allow folks to use life saving
air-conditioning. Customers will be guaranteed the protections and
they will be allowed additional time to pay back the expense in the
autumn when electric bills are lower."
The emergency rule passed today is mandatory
for regulated utilities. Consumers served by city-owned utilities
and electric cooperatives will benefit only if the utilities
voluntarily comply with the disconnection ban.
Biedrzycki noted that she has received phone
calls from devastated customers in Llano whose electric bills tripled
this month because of higher than normal air conditioning use and an
increase in fuel charges. There are more than 1 million customers of
over 150 utilities who cannot appeal to the PUC. They must appeal
to their city council or rural electric cooperative board. "Even
though the PUC has no jurisdiction, the emergency action today should
be sufficient proof to the cities and rural electric cooperatives
that their customers must have the same protection," Biedrzycki said.
The Texas PUC is reviewing its rules designed
to protect residential electric consumers. Biedrzycki and Chapman
agree, "We should never again be put in a position of taking body
counts to justify levelized billing plans for all electric service
retailers. Just as northern states have disconnection bans in
winter, Texas should adopt permanent rules to protect Texans from the
deadly effects of scorching heat."
Texas Ratepayers' Organization to
Save Energy (Texas ROSE) is a statewide membership organization that
works for weatherization and other energy conservation programs which
help low-income families, reduce electric bills and protect the
environment.
Texas Legal Services Center is the
statewide legal aid organization that represents low income families
before state agencies.
Consumers Union, publisher of
Consumer Reports, is an independent, nonprofit testing and
information organization serving only the consumer. We are a
comprehensive source of unbiased advice about products and services,
personal finance, health nutrition, and other consumer concerns.
Since 1936, our mission has been to test products, inform the public,
and protect consumers.
