By Craig Bennett
Order Directing Certain Actions and Granting Exceptions to Certain Rules
On March 26, 2020, the Public Utility Commission of Texas issued an order providing relief and consumer protections to water, sewer, and electric utility customers in Texas. The order requires utilities to offer a deferred payment plan to customers and limits the ability of utilities to charge late fees, interest on deferred payments, or to disconnect service for non-payment of bills during the current coronavirus state of emergency.
Order Related to COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program
On March 26, 2020, the Public Utility Commission of Texas issued an order establishing a COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program, a customer assistance program for eligible residential customers of retail electric service in the areas of this state open to customer choice. The order creates a customer assistance fund designed to offer financial assistance to customers during the current coronavirus state of emergency, and limits the ability of electric utilities to disconnect customers for non-payment of bills.
Meet Craig
Craig R. Bennett counsels clients on administrative and regulatory law matters related to compliance, enforcement, litigation, and judicial review of administrative agency decisions. Prior to Jackson Walker, Craig served as a Master Administrative Law Judge with the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings for 18 years. Outside of his practice, Craig serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law, where he has taught Texas Administrative Law since 2007.
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Please note: This article and any resources presented on the JW Coronavirus Insights & Resources site are for informational purposes only, do not constitute legal or medical advice, and are not a substitute for legal advice from qualified counsel. The laws of other states and nations may be entirely different from what is described. Your use of these materials does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Jackson Walker. The facts and results of each case will vary, and no particular result can be guaranteed.