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.