Suspension on disconnections extended through July for Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas customers

Due to the ongoing and growing cases of COVID-19 in Florida, Tampa Electric and Peoples Gas have extended their suspensions of disconnections for non-payment, giving customers through the end of July.

Originally, the companies had suspended such actions back in March, but as the pandemic has stretched on, so has the need for assistance. While this saves customers from the worst outcome at the moment, though, the costs do still accrue, and the companies have urged customers to pay what they can.

“We are committed to continue doing the right thing for our customers, which is why we’ve been working to help residential and commercial customers who are experiencing unexpected financial hardship,” Nancy Tower, president and CEO of Tampa Electric, said. “We hope the temporary extensions that we offered over the past several months have helped relieve some of the pressure.”

Coupled with the suspensions are a mix of payment extensions and utility-bill assistance options. Both companies offer flexible, interest-free payment extensions to customers in need, along with financial assistance — methods other utilities across the country have adopted to mitigate the impacts of the disease and related economic hits. Tampa Electric has also mustered sizable reductions to its bills since the crisis began, providing a 20 percent reduction on summer bills for residential customers and up to that amount for business customers.

“We are encouraged that many people have been able to return to work as Florida’s businesses continue to reopen,” T.J. Szelistowski, president of Peoples Gas, said. “We understand that for others, more time is needed. We urge those customers to reach out so we can help – just call us.”

Both utilities have also emphasized careful use of energy, and offer programs to help customers play things smart. At Tampa Electric, that has taken the form of free online energy audits, phone-assisted audits, energy calculators to figure out usage and cost, and a neighborhood weatherization for low-income customers, which helps customers make their homes more energy efficient. Peoples Gas also offers online energy audits and calculators.