Tennessee PUC orders utilities in jurisdiction to continue to suspend disconnections

The Tennessee Public Utility Commission has ordered private-investor owned utilities in its jurisdiction to continue to suspend the disconnection of utility services for nonpayment of bills.

The disconnection suspension applies to all private-investor owned natural gas, electric, water, and wastewater utility companies. The suspension will be in effect until at least August 10, when the commission’s next conference is scheduled. The commission recognizes the challenges customers and businesses face as Tennessee businesses transition to reopening safely.

“We certainly understand the challenges facing consumers who rely on public utility services,” Tennessee Public Utility Commission Chair Robin Morrison said. “But as our state transitions into its new normal, we must begin to look forward to the near future with an understanding that suspensions of service cut-offs is not a long-term solution.”

The commission invites the utilities under its regulatory oversight to file comments on the impact of suspensions to its business by July 15.

“To be clear, we recognize that there can be no one-size-fits-all policy that encompasses the entirety of a public utility’s operations or the challenges faced by its customers. So before we move to eliminate and lift the suspension of cut-offs, more information would be of great value to the commission,” Morrison said. “I greatly appreciate the work Tennessee’s regulated utilities have done during this historic time in our state and nation.”

Tennessee’s state of emergency status is set to expire on June 30, 2020.

The commission’s regulatory jurisdiction and authority extends only to private investor-owned public utilities and not to utility services provided by any city, county, utility district or cooperative entity.