AGA touts members’ role in economic recovery and assistance in the era of COVID-19
While the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has rattled the United States and the world, American Gas Association (AGA) President and CEO Karen Harbert this week expounded on utilities’ roles in assisting the vulnerable and tackling the recovery to come.
“Natural gas utilities have always had programs in place to help those experiencing financial distress, but this pandemic has brought unprecedented financial challenges, and companies are working with customers to ensure they have the tools they need during this difficult time,” Harbert said. “Companies are proactively reaching out to customers to share the variety of payment options and financial resources available for those who need assistance. The industry has also worked to increase funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a program that gets dollars in the hands of the most vulnerable. Natural gas utilities are part of the communities they serve, and the support they provide goes far beyond the energy they deliver—we are seeing that now more than ever.”
Many utilities, such as Consumers Energy and Xcel Energy, instituted a variety of customer assistance measures during the heart of the pandemic, such as pledges to halt shutoffs for a limited time. Older adults and low-income households received particular attention, as they were among the most vulnerable.
Economists have repeatedly fretted over the economic hardships to come, though, and those fears were only fueled this month by a report from the National Bureau of Economic Research’s Business Cycle Dating Committee, which announced that the U.S. had officially entered recession in February.
“All across the country, we have been facing difficulties and challenges that no one could have envisioned,” Harbert said. “During this unpredictable time, natural gas utilities have been a constant—ensuring reliable delivery of natural gas to the frontlines and the families who rely on it. As some states begin to open back up, the natural gas industry will continue to play an integral role in the economic recovery of this nation—helping to rebuild the communities they serve and providing the support that Americans need to get back on their feet.”
