Pennsylvania to lift last moratorium on utility shutoffs
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commission will lift a year-old moratorium preventing utilities from terminating service to all non-paying customers, adopted as Gov. Tom Wolf ordered shutdowns to fight the coronavirus. The commission voted Thursday to lift the moratorium starting April 1 for lower-income customers, as federal aid becomes available to renters to help pay utility bills. Utilities had been permitted to resume disconnections last fall for residential customers above 300% of the federal poverty level, or about $79,000 in annual income for a family of four last year. The commission is also requiring utilities to give additional payment plan options.