Don’t Let Utilities Shut Off People’s Power
PSC decision allows utilities in Wisconsin to start disconnecting power as of July 25.
On June 11, the Public Service Commission (PSC) made a terrible decision: It allowed utilities in Wisconsin to start disconnecting power, as of July 25, from people who’ve fallen behind on their payments.
Gov. Tony Evers, to his credit, in March urged the PSC to issue a moratorium on such shut-offs, which it did, until July 25, on the assumption that the coronavirus pandemic would be under control by now and that our economy would be humming.
But neither is true. The pandemic is back with a vengeance, and the unemployment rate stands at 12 percent.
Many people simply can’t pay their utilities right now. To allow the utility companies to shut them off will be a disaster.
It’ll deprive thousands of their ability to get on the Internet and thereby interfere with their ability to get or hold a job.
It’ll also likely have a disproportionate negative effect on people of color, who already are facing the brunt of this pandemic and this recession.
The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign is joining with the Sierra Club, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, and other nonprofit groups in urging the Public Service Commission to reverse its decision and to the moratorium until next April.
We are also urging utilities to have a heart and to not shut off power to people who need it to stay healthy, safe and connected.
Utilities are big players in the influence peddling game in the state capitol.
Over the last ten years, they’ve contributed almost $3 million to candidates and committees ($2,947,733). This includes large individual, PAC, and corporate contributions. About 72 percent went to Republicans and 28 percent to Democrats.
Here’s a list of the top six recipients:
Former Gov. Scott Walker, $583,297
Republican Assembly Campaign Committee, $322,483
Committee to Elect a Republican Senate, $294,896
State Senate Democratic Committee, $153,901
Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee, $119,483
Gov. Evers, $116,025
Please contact the PSC commissioners and urge them to change their minds on this issue and to extend this much-needed moratorium.
Here’s how you contact them: PSCConsumerAffairsMail@wisconsin.gov.
Matt Rothschild is the executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.
More about the Coronavirus Pandemic
- MHD Release: Milwaukee Health Department Launches COVID-19 Wastewater Testing Dashboard - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Jan 23rd, 2024
- Milwaukee County Announces New Policies Related to COVID-19 Pandemic - County Executive David Crowley - May 9th, 2023
- DHS Details End of Emergency COVID-19 Response - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Apr 26th, 2023
- Milwaukee Health Department Announces Upcoming Changes to COVID-19 Services - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Mar 17th, 2023
- Fitzgerald Applauds Passage of COVID-19 Origin Act - U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald - Mar 10th, 2023
- DHS Expands Free COVID-19 Testing Program - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Feb 10th, 2023
- MKE County: COVID-19 Hospitalizations Rising - Graham Kilmer - Jan 16th, 2023
- Not Enough Getting Bivalent Booster Shots, State Health Officials Warn - Gaby Vinick - Dec 26th, 2022
- Nearly All Wisconsinites Age 6 Months and Older Now Eligible for Updated COVID-19 Vaccine - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Dec 15th, 2022
- City of Milwaukee Bi-Weekly COVID-19 Update - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Dec 9th, 2022
Read more about Coronavirus Pandemic here
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