Moratorium on utility disconnections ends

Relief funds are available

New Mexicans struggling with their utility bills are getting continuing relief after the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) issued an order Thursday (May 6) to protect utility customers from having their services shut off due to nonpayment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The news comes as a welcome announcement for New Mexicans who had been protected under a previous moratorium on disconnections for water, gas and rural cooperative utilities, which expired May 4.

The New Mexico Department of Finance Administration (DFA) is helping community members secure rent and utility assistance, and the PRC encourages customers with past due balances to contact their utility providers to set up a payment plan.

The new PRC order states customers cannot be disconnected while an application for relief funds from state, federal or private sources is being processed.

In advance of the moratorium expiration, the PRC held a public workshop for utility providers and customers Thursday, April 29. At the meeting, the group announced that 8.7 percent (21,250) of utility accounts are in arrears, and the total amount past due is $7.5 million with an average of around $350 past due per household.

“We’re not going to disconnect you,” said Luis Reyes Jr., CEO of Kit Carson Electric Cooperative. “The problem is getting people to make payment arrangements for federal money.”

KCEC is working with the nonprofit Youth Heartline to help co-op members apply for utility assistance through the DFA. The Taos Public Library serves as a temporary command center to help the public get the assistance they may need.

According to the PRC, less than 2 percent of the 21,250 residential accounts in arrears are on installment plans. “With all this free money, more people should be applying,” said Reyes.

For more information, visit renthelpnm.org or call 833-485-1334.