Nov 20, 2009 8:47 pm US/Pacific
Poor PG&E Customers Struggle To Keep Lights On
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / KCBS) ―
The number of low-income California households whose power was cut for not paying utility bills jumped 27 percent this year, with PG&E customers in San Francisco the most likely to lose service for falling behind on payments.
A report by the state Public Utilities Commission found a 75 percent increase in the number of low-income households serviced by Pacific Gas and Electric that struggled with power bills only to lose service entirely.
"Many of these disconnections can be avoided," said Dana Appling, director of the commission's Division of Ratepayer Advocates, by negotiating payment plans instead.
A spokesman for the privately-run utility rejected Appling's assertion. "We work with you to determine, how much can you afford every month," said Brian Swanson. "Based on that, we work up a payment plan so you can pay your bills. And in addition to that, we can offer energy efficiency tips and energy conservation tips to help lower your bills."
Swanson noted that PG&E offers a program for low-income households that can lower rates by as much as 20 percent. He said that program, known as CARE, enrolled 160,000 more households in 2009 than 2008.
The PUC report covers a 12-month period that ended in August.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments