Tallahassee Utilities must establish a minimum shut-off amount before disconnecting utilities
My first op-ed in the Tallahassee Democrat!
Feb. 5th, 2024
Good afternoon, everyone!
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’d know that it’s been a struggle to get something published in the Tallahassee Democrat, but after a few tries, I’ve finally accomplished my goal!
I wrote an op-ed about an issue near to my heart: utility disconnections.
Recently, Tallahassee Utilities shut off a woman’s power for owing 8 cents on her utility bill. Yes… eight cents. Although the issue was resolved, several customers shared similar stories about losing power for owing mere pennies, illuminating an unfair utility practice: shut offs for low balances. In the op ed, I argue that this unfair practice needs to be overhauled and replaced with a minimum shut-off amount. The City of Tavares, 10x smaller than Tallahassee, set a rule that blocks the city’s utility from disconnecting service if the past due amount is less than $25.
Tallahassee Utilities, along with hundreds of utilities across the country, are currently planning how to transition their energy system away from fossil fuels and towards clean energy. This transition is supposed to be done in a just way, where decarbonization reduces inequality and opens up market access to historically excluded populations. But if poor utility practices continue to go overlooked, inequalities will continue to be perpetuated and consumers will suffer.
We all have a right to affordable and clean energy. This transition must ensure that promise is fulfilled.
Can you share my op-ed and continue the conversation about Tallahassee needing a minimum shut-off amount?
Talk soon!
Shelby
From the Tallahassee Democrat:
Have you ever come home from a day of work to find the power out? You flick the light switch, but nothing turns on. You peek outside, see your neighbors have power, then start to wonder, “did I pay my utilities bill?”
This happened to a Tallahassee woman recently, as reported by the Tallahassee Democrat. After a day out, she returned home to spoiled goods and a dark house. She paid her utility bill, but unknowingly left a balance of 8 cents, triggering a disconnection. Tallahassee Utilities is allowed to disconnect its services until the remaining balance is paid, even for mere pennies.
Tallahassee Utilities should adopt a minimum shut-off amount to end these needless disconnections and prevent future customers from unnecessarily paying a $28.50 reconnection fee and suffering from additional inconveniences, like spoiled food or no hot water.
Thankfully, the woman, Perita Clark, didn’t sit too long without power. Tallahassee Utilities apologized for the issue and restored service, saying it was an “anomaly that she short paid and it wasn't caught.” But several customers shared similar stories, contradicting the claim.
One customer said, “I’ve been there before. I don’t remember exactly how much it was, but it was definitely less than 50 cents,” in a comment on the Tallahassee Democrat’s Facebook page. Another chimed in, saying, “I was disconnected for 14 cents after I verified with the COT representative the total amount due.” The customer detailed how she had to pay the reconnection fee and “was disconnected on the coldest night our area experienced.” Like Clark, she didn’t receive any notification, despite Tallahassee law requiring an issued notice prior to disconnection.
A pattern of unwarranted disconnections is emerging – and it’s potentially life threatening. Prolonged periods of no power could be a matter of life or death for many folks who depend upon electronic medical devices or temperature-sensitive medicines.
It’s time for the city commission to step in to prevent avoidable tragedies and protect its residents from excessive disconnections.
Most customers can’t afford to deal with the added stress of an unexpected disconnection. At a time when more than 75% of Americans are concerned about how they’re going to keep their lights on, commissioners must enforce existing rules – and establish new ones – to end unfair practices that harm consumers.
The city commission regulates Tallahassee Utilities. The commission decides the rates and other policies that dictate its operation. The commission has the authority to examine the issue and set a minimum shut-off amount.
Tavares, a city 10 times smaller than Tallahassee, has one which has been successfully put into practice. The Tavares City Council set a rule that blocks the city’s utility from disconnecting service if the past due amount is less than $25. The amount can increase to $50 if the billing period is characterized by unusually high bills due to rates or weather.
Tallahassee should put an end to unfair disconnections by replicating Tavares’ policy and setting a minimum shut-off amount of $50, for example. Any customers owing less than $50 on their bill should never have to worry about an unexpected disconnection.
Tallahassee Utilities made nearly $140 million last year by providing electricity to its residential customers. The utility can afford to adopt a minimum shut-off amount to ensure customers have uninterrupted access to an essential service.