Puget Sound Utilities Say No Service Cuts Amid Coronavirus Crisis

SEATTLE, WA — Public utilities around the Puget Sound area have vowed in recent days not to cut customers' electricity and water, easing fears that the coronavirus crisis will leave residents unable to pay their bills.

In Seattle, Mayor Jenny Durkan said Tuesday that the the city will let customers defer payments if the COVID-19 outbreak has affected their ability to pay bills. Residents can contact Seattle City Light for electricity or Seattle Public Utilities for water to set up a new payment plan, and can also register for a low-income utility discount if they qualify.

Puget Sound Energy, which provides electricity to more than 1 million customers in the area, announced a similar program Friday, saying it will avoid disconnecting customers, waive late fees and set up new payment plans.

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The Snohomish County Public Utility District said Monday it had also paused disconnections for late payments.

Meanwhile, in Pierce County, the Tacoma Public Utility Board will consider a $1 million emergency assistance program Tuesday for households making no more than twice the federal poverty level.

Water utilities in Bellevue, Redmond and Lakehaven have all instituted moratoriums on shutoffs, but the cities of Renton and Kent reportedly had no plans to do the same, according to ProPublica.

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