Utility Consumer Protections During California COVID-19 Outbreak

Below is a list of consumer protection provisions enacted in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in California. This list covers both Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs), which are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and Publicly Owned Utilities (POUs). Please visit your specific utility’s webpage for more specific information about protections and benefits available to you.

For additional resources related to the COVID-19 Outbreak, please visit the State of California’s COVID-19 Awareness Website: https://covid19.ca.gov/

Consumer Protections by Industry

Electricity & Natural Gas Utilities - Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs)

Disconnections: All electric and natural gas IOUs are suspending service disconnections due to non-payment for both residential and commercial customers until further notice. Please read our press release for more information.
Flexible Payment Plans: The electric and natural gas IOUs are offering customers the opportunity to create flexible payment plans if financial hardship is a challenge.
Low Income Programs: Two programs – California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) – offer bill discounts for low-income customers. Customers already enrolled in CARE or FERA do not have to renew their applications during the COVID-19 outbreak. Customers are encouraged to contact their utility to see if they qualify for CARE or FERA, amounting to an 18-20% discount on their monthly bill.

More information on Electric & Natural Gas IOU actions related to COVID-19 are available on the utility websites:

Alpine Natural Gas	https://alpinenaturalgas.com/
Bear Valley Electric Service	https://www.bves.com/
Catalina Island Gas Services	https://www.sce.com/customer-service/faqs/catalina-island
Liberty Utilities (CalPeco Electric)	https://california.libertyutilities.com/truckee/residential/safety/covid-19-statement.html
Pacific Gas and Electric Company	https://www.pge.com/en_US/about-pge/company-information/protective-protocols/covid19.page
Pacific Power (PacifiCorp)	https://www.pacificpower.net/about/newsroom/service-safety-covid-19.html
San Diego Gas & Electric	https://www.sdge.com/coronavirus
Southern California Edison	https://www.sce.com/safety/coronavirus
Southern California Gas Company	https://www.socalgas.com/coronavirus
Southwest Gas Corporation	https://www.swgas.com/en/covid19
West Coast Gas Company	https://www.westcoastgas.com/

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Electricity - Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs)

Disconnections: All CCAs are suspending service disconnections due to non-payment for both residential and commercial customers until further notice. Please read our press release for more information.

More information on Community Choice Aggregator actions are available on the California Community Choice Association website: https://cal-cca.org/about/ccas-and-covid-19/

More information on individual CCA actions related to COVID-19 are available on the utility websites:

Apple Valley Choice Energy	https://avchoiceenergy.com/
CleanPowerSF	https://www.cleanpowersf.org/covid-19
Clean Power Alliance	https://cleanpoweralliance.org/
East Bay Community Energy	https://ebce.org/
King City Community Power	https://www.kingcitycommunitypower.org/
Lancaster Choice Energy	https://www.lancasterchoiceenergy.com/
Marin Clean Energy	https://www.mcecleanenergy.org/news/press-releases/temporary-collection-suspension/
Monterey Bay Community Power	https://www.mbcommunitypower.org/
Peninsula Clean Energy	https://www.peninsulacleanenergy.com/
Pico Rivera Innovative Municipal Energy	https://www.poweredbyprime.org/
Pioneer Community Energy	https://pioneercommunityenergy.ca.gov/
Rancho Mirage Energy Authority	https://ranchomirageenergy.org/
Redwood Coast Energy Authority	https://redwoodenergy.org/
San Jacinto Power	http://sanjacintopower.com/
San Jose Clean Energy	https://www.sanjosecleanenergy.org/
Silicon Valley Clean Energy	https://www.svcleanenergy.org/
Solana Energy Alliance	https://solanaenergyalliance.org/
Sonoma Clean Power	https://sonomacleanpower.org/office-closure
Valley Clean Energy	https://valleycleanenergy.org/news/vces-response-to-covid-19/

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Water & Sewer Companies - Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs)

Disconnections: All large water and sewer IOUs are suspending service disconnections due to non-payment for both residential and commercial customers until further notice. Also, to the extent possible, companies intend to reconnect recently disconnected customers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Please read our press release for more information.
Water Quality: Water and sewer utilities are continuing essential work functions to provide clean and safe tap water during the COVID-19 outbreak.

More information on Water & Sewer IOU actions are available on the California Water Association (CWA) website:
http://www.calwaterassn.com/largest-regulated-water-utilities-halt-water-shutoffs-during-coronavirus-crisis/

More information on individual Water & Sewer IOU actions related to COVID-19 are available on the utility websites:

Alisal Water Corporation
Bakman Water Company	https://www.bakmanwater.com/
California American Water Company	https://amwater.com/caaw/
California Water Service	https://www.calwater.com/
Catalina Island Water Service	https://www.sce.com/customer-service/faqs/catalina-island https://www.sce.com/safety/coronavirus
DelOro Water Company	http://www.delorowater.com/
East Pasadena Water Company	https://epwater.com/customer-resources/emergency-disaster-relief-program/
Fontana Water Company	http://www.fontanawater.com/
Golden State Water Company	https://www.gswater.com/covid-19-updates/
Great Oaks Water Company	https://www.greatoakswater.com/COVID19.html
Liberty Utilities (Park Water and Apple Valley Ranchos)	https://california.libertyutilities.com/compton/residential/safety/covid-19-statement.html
Lukins Water	http://www.lukinswater.com/
San Gabriel Valley Water Company	https://www.sgvwater.com/
San Jose Water Company	https://www.sjwater.com/COVID-19
Suburban Water Systems	http://www.swwc.com/suburban/covid19/

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Electricity & Natural Gas Utilities - Publicly Owned Utilities (POUs)

Disconnections: Some electric and natural gas POUs are suspending service disconnections due to non-payment for both residential and commercial customers until further notice. Please check with your specific utility for more information.
Flexible Payment Plans: Many electric and natural gas POUs are offering customers the opportunity to create flexible and extended payment plans if financial hardship is a challenge.

More information on Electric & Natural Gas POU actions are available on the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) website: https://www.cmua.org/cmua-members-suspending-shutoffs

More information on individual Electric & Natural Gas POU actions related to COVID-19 are available on the utility websites:

Alameda Municipal Power	https://www.alamedamp.com/Archive.aspx?ADID=471
Anaheim Public Utilities	https://www.anaheim.net/226/Public-Utilities
Banning Public Utilities Department	http://banning.ca.us/57/Banning-Electric-Utility
Burbank Water and Power	https://www.burbankwaterandpower.com/
City of Azusa	https://www.ci.azusa.ca.us/132/Light-Water
City of Colton	https://www.ci.colton.ca.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=101
City of Corona	https://www.coronaca.gov/i-want-to/learn-more-about/coronavirus
City of Healdsburg	https://www.ci.healdsburg.ca.us/AlertCenter.aspx
City of Needles	http://cityofneedles.com/utilities/
City of Palo Alto	https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/depts/utl/default.asp
City of Shasta Lake	https://www.cityofshastalake.org/AlertCenter.aspx
City of Ukiah	http://www.cityofukiah.com/coronavirus/
Glendale Water and Power	https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/glendale-water-and-power
Imperial Irrigation District	https://www.iid.com/about-iid/news-resources/-item-757
Lodi Electric Utility	http://lodielectric.com/352/Electric-Utility
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power	https://www.ladwp.com/
Modesto Irrigation District	https://www.mid.org/
Moreno Valley Utility	http://www.moval.org/mvu/about-covid19-update.html
Pasadena Water and Power	https://ww5.cityofpasadena.net/water-and-power/covid19/
Pittsburg Power Company - Island Energy	http://pittsburgpowerco.com/blog/
Rancho Cucamonga Municipal Utility	https://www.cityofrc.us/rcmu
Redding Electric Utility	https://www.cityofredding.org/departments/redding-electric-utility
Riverside Public Utilities	https://riversideca.gov/press/information-regarding-covid-19-coronavirus
Roseville Electric Utility	https://www.roseville.ca.us/news/what_s_happening_in_roseville/utility_updates%20_regarding_c_o_v_i_d-19
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)	https://www.sfwater.org/
Silicon Valley Power	https://www.siliconvalleypower.com/
SMUD	https://www.smud.org/en/Corporate/About-us/News-and-Media/2020/2020/SMUD-suspends-power-shutoffs-for-non-payment
Truckee Donner PUD	https://www.tdpud.org/customer-service/covid-19-response
Turlock Irrigation District Water & Power	https://www.tid.org/news-and-resources/safety-tips-and-resources/coronavirus/
Vernon Public Utilities	http://cityofvernon.org/city-news/336-coronavirus-covid-19-response-and-information

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Water & Sewer Companies - Publicly Owned Utilities (POUs)

Disconnections: Many of the larger water and sewer POUs are suspending service disconnections due to non-payment for both residential and commercial customers until further notice. Please check with your utility for specific provisions. Please read our press release for more information.
Water Quality: Water and sewer utilities are continuing essential work functions to provide clean and safe tap water during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Flexible Payment Plans: Many of the water and sewer POUs are offering customers the opportunity to create flexible and extended payment plans if financial hardship is a challenge.

More information on Water POU actions are available on the California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) website: https://www.cmua.org/cmua-members-suspending-shutoffs

More information on individual Water & Sewer POU actions related to COVID-19 are available on the utility websites:

Alameda County Water District	https://www.acwd.org/721/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Updates
Borrego Water District	http://www.bvgsp.org/
Crescenta Valley Water District	https://www.cvwd.com/
Cucamona Valley Water District	https://www.cvwdwater.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=247
Desert Water Company	https://dwa.org/latest-updates/282-dwa-waives-late-fees-and-cancels-water-shutoffs
East Bay MUD	https://www.ebmud.com/water/about-your-water/water-quality/coronavirus/
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District	http://www.evmwd.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=6690&TargetID=1,47,49,48,3,2
City of Fillmore Water & Sewer	Letter
Helix Water District	https://hwd.com/coronavirus-updates/#shutoffs
Irvine Ranch Water District	https://www.irwd.com/learning/liquid-news/irwd-offices-temporarily-closed-to-the-public
Las Virgenes Municipal Water District	https://www.lvmwd.com/your-water/water-quality/covid-19
City of Long Beach Water	https://lbwater.org/news-media/public-updates/
Modesto Irrigation District	http://www.mid.org
North Coast County Water District	https://nccwd.com/billing/16-resources/143-links.html
Olivenhain Municipal Water District	https://www.olivenhain.com/covid19information/
Placer County Water Agency	https://www.pcwa.net/newsroom/covid-19-faqs
Rancho Water District	https://www.ranchowater.com/373/COVID-19-Ongoing-Updates
Roseville Utilities	http://roseville.ca.us/news/what_s_happening_in_roseville/utility_service_updates_regarding_covid-19
Rowland Water District	https://www.rowlandwater.com/rowland-water-district-temporarily-suspends-water-shutoffs/
City of Sacramento Department of Utilities	https://sacramentocityexpress.com/2020/03/18/city-waives-delinquent-utility-penalties-to-ensure-households-have-access-to-critical-services-during-covid-19-outbreak/
City of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission	https://sfwater.org/index.aspx?page=1321
City of Santa Rosa Water	https://srcity.org/812/My-Water-Bill
Santa Clarita Valley Water	https://yourscvwater.com/customer-care/
Scotts Valley Water District	https://www.svwd.org/customer-info/bill-pay-options
Sunnyslope County Water District	http://www.sscwd.org/
Valley Center Municipal Water District	http://www.vcmwd.org/
Vista Irrigation District	https://www.vidwater.org/covid-19-information
Walnut Valley Water District	https://www.wvwd.com/drinking-water-coronavirus-covid-19/
Western Municipal Water District	https://www.wmwd.com/

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Small Local Exchange Carriers (LECs)

Disconnections & Fees: All small LECs are suspending service disconnections for both residential and commercial customers for 60 days from March 18, 2020. Companies are also waiving late fees and collection efforts.

More information on actions taken by small LECs: Letter from March 18, 2020

More information on individual LEC actions related to COVID-19 are available on the utility websites:

Calaveras Telephone Company	http://www.caltelconnect.com/telephone
Cal-Ore Telephone Company	https://comm.cot.net/covid-19/
Ducor Telephone Company	https://varcomm.net/
Foresthill Telephone Company	https://sebastiancorp.com/
Happy Valley Telephone Company	https://www.tdstelecom.com
Hornitos Telephone Company	https://www.tdstelecom.com
Kerman Telephone Company	https://sebastiancorp.com/
Pinnacles Telephone Company	http://www.pintelco.com/home.html
Ponderosa Telephone Company	http://www.goponderosa.com/
Sierra Telephone Company	https://www.sierratel.com/ Access Program for Schools and Households
Siskiyou Telephone Company	http://www.sisqtel.net/
Volcano Telephone Company	https://www.volcanocommunications.com/
Winterhaven Telephone Company	https://www.tdstelecom.com

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Communications Companies

Affordable Internet Service Plans: Several broadband Internet and wireless cellphone service companies are offering free or low-cost internet access options in response to the COVID-19 health emergency. These services are offered in the areas each company serves, or as otherwise described.
- For assistance in signing up for internet offerings, click here to find the closest call center in your area.
- To find out more about affordable internet plans offered in your zip code, click here to visit our CPUC interactive map.
  
  This listing will be updated as more information becomes available. This list is not guaranteed to be complete, or to be an endorsement for the companies listed. The CPUC is not liable for inaccuracies. If you are aware of any additional programs, please contact the Communications Division at: cd_director@cpuc.ca.gov.

FCC's Keep Americans Connected Pledge: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) encouraged all providers to pledge, for the next 60 days, to do the following:
- Not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
- Waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic.
- Open Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them.

The largest fixed broadband and wireless cellphone providers in California – listed below – have all signed onto the FCC pledge, which is available at this link: Keep Americans Connected Pledge.

Fixed Broadband Companies

AT&T Wireline	AT&T has announced it is offering two months of free service to new customers of its affordable broadband program and has also expanded program eligibility. AT&T waived data overages for internet wireline and fixed wireless internet customers for 60 days. AT&T’s Website AT&T's COVID-19 Response Website AT&T’s Affordable Broadband Plan, Access from AT&T
Charter Communications	Charter is increasing speeds and offering free access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students that do not already have a subscription. Charter does not charge for data overages. Charter’s Website Charter's COVID-19 Response Website Charter’s Affordable Broadband Plan, Spectrum Internet Assist
Comcast	Comcast is increasing eligibility and speeds to their affordable broadband and new subscribers will receive 60 days free. Comcast waived data overage for 60 days. Comcast’s Website Comcast’s COVID-19 Response Website Comcast’s Affordable Broadband Plan, Internet Essentials
Consolidated Communications	Consolidated Communications does not have an affordable broadband plan. Consolidated Communications’ Website Consolidated Communications’ COVID-19 Response Website
Cox Communications	Cox Communications is increasing eligibility and service speeds to their affordable broadband program. New eligible subscribers will receive one month free. Cox waived data overages for 60 days. Cox’s Website Cox’s COVID-19 Response Website Cox’s Affordable Broadband Plan, Connect2Compete
Frontier Communications	Frontier Communications provides an affordable broadband and landline service bundle as part of their LifeLine offering. Frontier Communications’ Website Frontier Communication’s Affordable Broadband Bundle
Sierra Telephone Company	Sierra Telephone Company does not have an affordable broadband plan. Sierra Telephone Company’s Website
Sonic Telecom	Sonic is offering three months of free internet access and unlimited nationwide home telephone service to households with K-12, college students, or senior citizens 60 or older. Sonic does not have an affordable broadband plan. Sonic’s Website Sonic’s COVID-19 Response Website
Suddenlink	Suddenlink is providing free broadband for 60 days to any new household in their service area to impacted K-12 and/or college students who do not currently have home internet access. Suddenlink additionally offers an affordable broadband plan. Suddenlink’s Website Suddenlink’s COVID-19 Response Website Suddenlink’s Affordable Broadband Plan, Altice Advantage
Wave	Wave offers an affordable broadband plan. Wave’s Website Wave’s COVID-19 Response Website Wave’s Affordable Broadband Plan, Simply Internet

Wireless Companies

AT&T Wireless	For the next 60 days, AT&T will waive all wireless overage fees for customers. AT&T does not have an affordable service plan. AT&T Wireless’ Website AT&T's COVID-19 Response Website
Sprint	Sprint is providing unlimited data for 60 days to customers with metered data plans, and providing 20 GB of free data to customers with hotspot/tethering-capable devices. Sprint does not offer an affordable service plan. Sprint’s Website Sprint’s COVID-19 Response Website
T-Mobile	T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile are providing unlimited data for 60 days to all customers, and providing 20 GB of free data to customers with hotspot/tethering-capable devices. T-Mobile does not offer an affordable service plan. T-Mobile’s Website T-Mobile’s COVID-19 Response Website
U.S. Cellular	Californians are not eligible for U.S. Cellular’s affordable Lifeline service offer. U.S. Cellular does not offer an affordable service plan. U.S. Cellular’s Website U.S. Cellular’s COVID-19 Response Website
Verizon	Verizon does not have an affordable service plan. Verizon’s Website Verizon's COVID-19 Response Website

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Letter from CPUC Directing Utilities to Provide Information Regarding Consumer Protections

Letter from CPUC Directing Utilities to Provide Information Regarding Business Continuity

More Resources

Small Businesses

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Small businesses and nonprofits can apply for SBA disaster assistance programs online or seek assistance from SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-569-2955/1-800-877-8339 (TTY). For more information: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

SBA COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources

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More COVID-19 Information