Updated: KY service commission orders utility companies to suspend disconnections
It’s not just students getting free home internet now: Charter Communications has expanded its free internet offer to educators, as it is now offering 60 days of free Spectrum internet to K-12 teachers and college/university professors who do not already have a Spectrum account.
Charter Communications, which owns Spectrum, started this initiative a couple weeks ago – the cable, internet and phone company previously offered 60 days of free internet to households who have a K-12 student or a college student and were not currently Spectrum broadband customers.
Charter was one of many utility companies offering service in Kentucky that looked to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to voluntary efforts to relieve financial stress by individual companies, the Kentucky Public Service Commission ordered all utilities under its jurisdiction to suspend disconnections and late payment fees.
The commission announced in a statement on March 16 that disconnections can lead to greater risk of COVID-19 transmission and are a waste of resources when there is a “pressing need to ensure continuity, and thus adequacy, of service.” The shutoffs should stop “until further notice and for at least 30 days.”
This announcement came after Louisville Gas and Electric Company, Kentucky Utilities and Old Dominion Power announced the same day they were suspending disconnects for residential customers.
On March 17, the companies said in a news release that they were also suspending disconnects for business customers.
“We appreciate the contributions, economic value and character local businesses bring to our communities and, just as our residential customers, we know they’re struggling,” Eileen Saunders, vice president for customer services, said in a statement. “We hope this policy will give them a bit of relief as they continue to try and navigate the uncertainty now and ahead.”
The companies fear their customers may have trouble paying bills due to the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
All three companies – which are part of the PPL Corporation – will suspend disconnects until May 1. They will also work with customers who have payment issues, they said in a statement.
“While we’ve historically taken similar measures during extreme weather conditions, we are in unprecedented times with this virus, and we want to ensure that our residential customers, who may need some extra time to make payments, have the additional grace period,” Saunders said. “We are committed to working with our customers who may be having difficulty paying their energy bills and connecting them with available resources that can further assist them.”
Every major utility provider in the area has temporarily suspended disconnections due to coronavirus. Kentucky American Water announced March 13 it was suspending water shutoffs.
Columbia Gas also said it was suspending shutoffs. Columbia’s shutoff suspension applies to residential, commercial and industrial customers, and will last until further notice.
“The safety of our employees and customers is at the forefront of everything we do at Columbia Gas,” Columbia Gas President Kimra Cole said in a statement. “We are taking a proactive, coordinated approach to prevent, mitigate and respond to COVID-19.”
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 1:08 PM.