Panel rejects Northam’s bid to extend moratorium on utility disconnections

RICHMOND, Va. (AP)- The State Corporation Commission has rejected a bid by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam to extend a moratorium on utility service disconnections that was set to expire on Monday.

In a letter to Northam that was dated Thursday, the commission said the consumer protections it mandated should continue beyond Oct. 5. That portion of the order calls for jurisdictional utilities to continue to offer extended payment plans of up to 12 months.

The commission also directs customers on those or similar plans should not be charged late fees and should not be disconnected and that for those customers, the moratorium protections continue.

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