On June 14, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 246, which ends the moratorium on utility shutoffs as of July 1, 2021 that was put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Executive Order also establishes a sixth-month grace period, in which no residential customers will face disconnection of their gas, electric, or water, services before the end of the grace period on December 31, 2021. Additionally, households with residential internet service accounts currently in effect that are being used by school-aged children for educational purposes will also be protected from disconnection. The annual Winter Termination program will remain in effect and preclude electric or gas shutoffs for certain households, including some seniors and low-income families, through March 15, 2022.
Cable and utility companies went above and beyond during the pandemic to ensure that struggling residents would not have their essential services shut off. With nearly half of the population vaccinated, residents and businesses alike are ready to return to pre-pandemic normalcy. This is a small step to allow New Jersey’s utility and cable companies to resume normal operations and help New Jersey’s economy get back on track.
Should you have any questions, please contact Hilary Chebra, Manager of Government Affairs at hchebra@chambersnj.com.
