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Call on Texas Governor Abbott to Halt Utility Shut-Offs During the COVID-19 Emergency

Water and Electricity are Critical to Protecting Public Health

COVID-19 is sweeping through Texas, which means now is a critical time for all Texans to be practicing good hygiene and staying at home. That becomes nearly impossible for people if their water and electricity are shut off. Many people are out of work because of the COVID-19 crisis and don’t have a safety net to help them pay their bills.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) issued an order to stop any of the for-profit electric and water utilities from disconnecting customers during the COVID-19 emergency, but did nothing to protect the many Texas residents who get their water and/or electricity from city-owned utilities and cooperatives. Some of these cities and utilities have voluntarily suspended disconnections, but many haven’t taken this necessary action. The PUC order also did nothing to ensure that customers who have already had their water or electricity cut off will be reconnected.

It’s time for Governor Greg Abbott to issue and executive order to ensure that all Texans have water and electricity during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

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111 - Topic - Climate & Energy

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222 - Subtopic - Texas

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TX Governor Greg Abbott

Subject: Halt utility shut-offs and reconnect customers

Message:

I’m calling on you to issue an executive order prohibiting any residential electric and water utility disconnections and requiring utilities to reconnect any residential customers who were disconnected . The order should last for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency. The Public Utility Commission of Texas issued an order to stop any of the for-profit electric and water utilities from disconnecting customers during the COVID-19 emergency, but did nothing to protect the many Texas residents who get their water and/or electricity from city-owned utilities and cooperatives. Some of these cities and utilities have voluntarily suspended disconnections, but many haven’t taken this necessary action. The PUC order also did nothing to ensure that customers who have already had their water or electricity cut off will be reconnected. Of the dozens of utilities that still are disconnecting customers, most serve small towns and rural areas of Texas. Residents in these areas are less likely than their urban counterparts to have options and access to programs that would provide assistance. It will be very difficult for people to follow your executive order to stay at home and distance from others if their water or electricity is shut off. It is essential that people have access to water for drinking, cooking and washing, and electricity for refrigeration of food and medicines. Both compassion and pragmatism support a statewide order to ensure that all residents have access to water and electricity in their homes. These are basic necessities. Depriving anyone of them during this emergency is both cruel and puts public health at risk. Each passing day that Texans go without water or electricity adds to suffering and endangers more people, so I urge you act without delay. Sincerely,

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Call on Texas Governor Abbott to Halt Utility Shut-Offs During the COVID-19 Emergency

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