{"id":"AGY-ST-UTILITIES-HOUSING-AG-016","kind":"order","level":"sector-regulator","jurisdiction":"Texas (State public utility commission)","state":"TX","metro":"","industry":"","agency":"ST-UTILITIES-HOUSING-AG","eco":"","issuer":"Public Utility Commission of Texas (Chairman DeAnn T. Walker, Commissioners Arthur C. D\u0027Andrea and Shelly Botkin)","authority":"16 TAC 22.5(a); 16 TAC 25.480(j)(1)(B), 25.498(i)(1)(B)","instrument":"Order Directing Certain Actions and Granting Exceptions to Certain Rules, Project No. 50664, Issues Related to the State of Disaster for the Coronavirus Disease 2019","title":"Retail electric providers directed to offer deferred payment plans on request; exceptions granted to the water, sewer and electric rules on late fees, deferred-payment interest, estimated bills and disconnection for nonpayment until the Governor\u0027s disaster declaration is terminated","dateIssued":"2020-03-26","effective":"2020-03-26","end":"By its terms \u0027until the Governor\u0027s disaster declaration is terminated\u0027; narrowed and re-dated by the Second Order of April 17, 2020 (exceptions to May 15, 2020, residential customers), the Third Order of May 14, 2020 (to June 13, 2020) and the Fourth Order of July 16, 2020 (electric disconnection exception to August 31, 2020, Ex. 019)","startDate":"2020-03-26","endDate":"2020-04-17","quarters":["2020Q2","2020Q3"],"types":["OTHER"],"addressees":["all retail electric providers","retail public water and sewer utilities under 16 TAC ch. 24","electric utilities outside customer-choice areas under 16 TAC 25.28-25.29"],"clause":"Accordingly, it is ordered that, until the Governor\u0027s disaster declaration is terminated, 1. All retail electric providers must offer a deferred payment plan to customers, upon request. 2. Exceptions are granted to the following water and sewer rules: 16 TAC 24.165(c), which relates to assessment of late fees on customers for delinquent bills; 16 TAC 24.165(d), which authorizes a water utility to charge interest on a deferred payment plan; 16 TAC 24.165(i), which relates to requirements for estimated bills; 16 TAC 24.167(a)(2)(A), which allows a retail public utility to disconnect water or sewer service for nonpayment; 16 TAC 24.167(a)(2)(F), which authorizes a utility to disconnect water service for non-payment of a solid waste charge; and 16 TAC 24.167(e), which requires a retail public utility to disconnect water service for nonpayment of sewer charges. 3. Exceptions are granted to the following electric rules: 16 TAC 25.28(b), which relates to assessment of late fees on customers for delinquent bills; 16 TAC 25.29(b)(1), which allows an electric utility to disconnect electric service for nonpayment; and 16 TAC 25.480(c), which relates to assessment of late fees on customers for delinquent bills.","enforcement":"Tex. Util. Code 15.023 (administrative penalties for violation of Commission orders and rules); the order finds \u0027a public emergency and imperative public necessity\u0027 under 16 TAC 22.5(a)","functions":["OP billing and collections of every REP, water, sewer and electric utility (late fees, deferred-payment interest and estimated-bill rules suspended; mandatory deferred payment plans)","SV disconnection for nonpayment suspended (rule authority withdrawn)","CB customers","OF tariff and rule compliance"],"notes":"Companion to the COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program order of the same date (Ex. 017). The Commission had on March 16, 2020 issued an Order Suspending Rules requiring all filings to be made electronically through the Interchange until the disaster declaration ends (Project 50664 item 3, read, not saved).","sourceUrl":"https://interchange.puc.texas.gov/Documents/50664_106_1057675.PDF","snapshot":"","fileExists":true,"fileBytes":111751,"grade":"primary","character":"","description":"","collection":"AGY-ST-UTILITIES-HOUSING-AG","url":"/library/AGY-ST-UTILITIES-HOUSING-AG-016","exhibitUrl":"/exhibit/AGY-ST-UTILITIES-HOUSING-AG-016","citation":"Public Utility Commission of Texas (Chairman DeAnn T. Walker, Commissioners Arthur C. D\u0027Andrea and Shelly Botkin), Order Directing Certain Actions and Granting Exceptions to Certain Rules, Project No. 50664, Issues Related to the State of Disaster for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Mar. 26, 2020) (Ex. AGY-ST-UTILITIES-HOUSING-AG-016)","stateName":"Texas","related":[]}