With utility disconnections set to resume in Washington, advocates push for more time
Washington banned utility disconnections for non-payment during the pandemic, but that protection is set to expire in July.
Author: Michael Crowe
Updated: 7:24 PM PDT May 24, 2021
SEATTLE — With some utility shutoffs set to resume this summer, advocates are raising the alarm for people in Washington state that have fallen behind on payments during the pandemic.
Governor Jay Inslee previously told utilities not to disconnect service during the pandemic, coupled with a moratorium on evictions.
The Utility and Transportation Commission has oversight over several private utilities such as Puget Sound Energy (PSE), Avista, Pacific Power, Cascade and Northwest Natural. This does not include government-operated bodies such as Seattle City Light or Seattle Public Utilities, or public utility districts (PUDs).