Shutoffs Possible As Washington's Utility Moratorium Expires

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington's utility moratorium has run its course, expiring on Thursday. The moratorium prevented utility providers from shutting off water, electricity, or natural gas services to customers, even if they had overdue bills that would normally cause providers to cut off service.

The utility moratorium was put into place around the same time as the eviction moratorium near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, as a safeguard for vulnerable residents struggling to stay afloat amid the economic fallout and mass layoffs of spring 2020. The state recently prolonged the eviction moratorium "bridge" through October, but the utility moratorium did not get the same treatment.

Now that the moratorium has expired, some utilities could begin cutting off services to customers with overdue accounts as soon as Friday. According to an estimate from the Washington State Department of Commerce last month, more than half a million Washingtonians are at risk of losing electricity, natural gas or water service now that the moratorium has ended.

Some areas are at greater risk than others: Seattle, for example, has extended both its eviction and utility moratoria into January. In Pierce County, Puyallup has promised to keep its utility moratorium active until the COVID-19 pandemic State of Emergency is lifted. Most other communities, however, are no longer protected.

While utilities have the option to cut services off now, the Office of the Governor says it is encouraging those utilities to:

• Make good faith efforts to reach and work with customers with overdue accounts.
• Help those customers find local, state, and federal financial assistance programs.
• Offer extended repayment plans for at least one year.
• Waive disconnection or reconnection fees.
• Refrain from reporting overdue accounts to credit bureaus for 180 days.

The governor's office is also encouraging anyone with overdue utility bills to research financial assistance options of their own, and to reach out to their providers ASAP to set up a repayment plan. Utility information can be found by dialing 2-1-1.

“This moratorium has provided hundreds of thousands of Washington families much-needed peace of mind during the pandemic, and now utility companies are eager and ready to help their customers make a plan that keeps their services on,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “I urge people make that call as soon as they can. That call can give a family one less thing to worry about as fall and winter approaches.”

The Department of Commerce recommends customers with overdue utility bills ask utility providers about payment plans, financial assistance, or federal assistance to help get those bills paid. Many utilities have promised to make repayment flexible, respecting the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The state’s not-for-profit, community-owned utilities are committed to working with our customers facing arrearages due to the impact of COVID,” said Washington PUD Association Executive Director George Caan. “Our efforts continue to focus on making contact with customers, connecting them with assistance and working with our customers to establish a pathway to recovery.”

Related stories:

Inslee Extends Eviction Moratorium 'Bridge' Through October

Durkan Extends Seattle's Eviction Protections Into January

Puyallup's Utility Moratorium Will Remain In Effect