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Maryland PSC Orders Utilities to Provide Extended Notice to Customers Affected by Bill Assistance Funding Shortage
Read full press release here where the Maryland Public Service Commission has ordered electric and gas utilities in the state to provide a longer notice period to customers facing service disconnection as a result of a funding shortage in two utility bill assistance programs administered by the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP). While the Commission has opted not to impose a moratorium on service shut-offs for affected customers behind on their bills, it recognizes that most Maryland utilities have voluntarily halted disconnections to customers whose assistance applications have been recently denied, and strongly encouraged all other Maryland utilities to do the same until at least July 31, 2024.
In April of this year, the Commission became aware that funding had run out for the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) and the Gas Arrearage Retirement Assistance Program (GARA) and, that as a result, OHEP would begin denying these program applications as of April 17, 2024 through June 30, 2024 (the end of the current fiscal year).
Order No. 91202 (ML# 310333) (06/18/2024)
Press Release (06/18/2024)
