Lights Out
Local energy bill assistance group reports increased need for services
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Central Coast Energy Services, which provides energy bill assistance to low-income households in Monterey, Santa Cruz and southern Santa Clara counties, is reporting a spike in applicants requesting help to keep their lights on. Through October of this year CCES has committed assistance to 1,923 PG&E customers, up from 1,534 all of last year, according to a news release.
"While the increase in need of emergency assistance with shutoff notices can very well be attributed to a slump in the economy," the release says, "PG&E customers are encountering extreme enforcement of payment policies and less options to actually pay past-due bills."
A CCES representative will be testifying about the need for payment plans and additional options for PG&E customers to pay their bills at the California Public Utilities Commission meeting tomorrow.
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