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Some Utility Providers Suspend Service Shutoff for Non-Payment During Coronavirus Pandemic
By: WOUB News Team
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Several utility providers have temporarily stopped shutting off service for customers who are behind on their payments.
On March 12, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) recommended that all public utility providers under its jurisdiction “to review their service disconnection policies, practices, and tariff provisions and to promptly seek any necessary approval to suspend otherwise applicable requirements that may impose a service continuity hardship on residential and non-residential customers or create unnecessary COVID-19 risks associated with social contact.”
The following Athens County-area providers have suspended shutoff temporarily, until further notice:
- AEP Ohio
- Buckeye Rural Electric
- Columbia Gas
- Consumers Gas Cooperative
- Le-Ax Water District
- Madison Energy
- Athens County Water and Sewer Department
WOUB has reached out to other local providers to determine if they are also suspending shutoff.