Coronavirus: Gov. Cooper Signs Order Prohibiting Utility Shut-Off

NORTH CAROLINA — North Carolina utility companies will not be allowed to shut off service to customers for nonpayment for the next 60 days, Gov. Roy Cooper said Tuesday afternoon in announcing a list of new consumer protections put in place by executive order.

The announcement comes as North Carolina residents continue to reel from the impacts of recent policies related to slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus, also called COVID-19.
The number of COVID-19 cases in North Carolina jumped to 1,498 Tuesday, and is now linked to at least eight deaths and 157 hospitalizations.

Under the new order announced Tuesday, utilities that provide water, gas, sewer, electricity and wastewater services are prohibited from disconnecting service due to lack of payment during the 60-day period, which Cooper said could be extended. While the order does not target phone, cable and internet providers, those companies are also “strongly urged to follow these same rules,” Cooper said.

The order directs utility companies to give customers at least six months to pay outstanding bills without interest. It also encourages the delay of evictions and for banks to not charge overdraft fees.

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“This action is particularly important since tomorrow is the first of the month, and I know that’s a date many families fear when they can’t make ends meet,” Cooper said. “These protections will help families stay in their homes and keep vital services like electricity, water, and communications going as we Stay at Home.”

The new executive order is one of many issued by Cooper this month. Cooper declared a state of emergency for the entire state March 10. Public schools throughout the state have been ordered closed through at least May 15. In addition, Cooper ordered a statewide ban on all dine-in service at restaurants and bars. As of Monday evening, all of North Carolina was under a 30-day "stay-at-home" order, which means residents are directed to stay in their homes unless they need to leave for essential activities, such as for jobs, food, medicine, outdoor exercise or to help others.

The order also bans gatherings of more than 10 people, and its directs residents stay at least six feet from each other. Essential services will be allowed to remain open.

The economic scale of these new policies is also starting to emerge. More than 300,000 residents have filed for unemployment in North Carolina since March 16, WRAL reported.

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