SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The California Public Utilities Commission’s Executive Director Tuesday determined that energy, water, sewer and communications companies under CPUC jurisdiction should halt customer disconnections for non-payment as a result of the State of Emergency called by Gov. Gavin Newsom due to COVID-19.

“In these unsettling and unprecedented times, many people are concerned about the health and safety of themselves and their loved ones. They should not also have to worry about their essential utility services being shut off for non-payment because they are unable to report to work due to illness, quarantine, or social distancing,” said CPUC President Marybel Batjer. “The actions we are taking today will ensure that utility services remain available for California’s most vulnerable populations.”

Certain utilities and service providers have already announced voluntary moratoriums on service disconnections for non-payment, and tuesday’s action ensures that they continue the moratoriums and that any energy, water, sewer and communications company under the CPUC’s jurisdiction follows suit.

The CPUC’s Executive Director’s letter to the utilities, which the CPUC’s Commissioners will have an opportunity to ratify in the near future, is available at www.cpuc.ca.gov/covid.

The CPUC regulates services and utilities, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians’ access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.