New law aims to protect Virginians from utility shutoffs

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A new law aimed at protecting Virginians from utility shutoffs has gone into effect.

Monday, July 1, marked the start of a number of laws passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Glenn Youngkin during the 2024 legislative session.

The ‘ Emergency Utilities Protection Act ,” prevents the disconnection of utility services for the following reasons:

• Before an account is 60 days past due for customers of utilities regulated by the State Corporation Commission or 45 days past due for municipal utility customers.
• When the temperature is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and is at or above 92 degrees Fahrenheit
• On Fridays, weekends, state holidays and the day before a state holiday
• During a state of emergency declared by the governor in response to a public health emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic
• For customers who have received state energy assistance in the past 12 months

Under the new law, provisions have been added for greater transparency and some have already been in place.

Each utility company must provide disconnection notices in English and Spanish and include information regarding plans, state, federal or utility energy assistance programs.

A notice of nonpayment delivered to the customer prior to disconnection by at least one or two of the following methods (one for municipal utility customers and two for customers of utilities regulated by the State Corporation Commission): mail, email, text message, phone call or door hanger.

The provisions are for electric, gas, water, and wastewater utilities under the regulation of the State Corporation Commission .

The act was introduced in both House and Senate chambers with companion bills– H.B. 906 and S.B. 480 by Democratic House Delegate Irene Shin and Democratic State Senator Lashresce Aird.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRIC ABC 8News.