Resolution #20-5 Proposed by: Rep. Mara Candelaria Reardon, Indiana
Recommending Federal Rate Relief Remedies for Low Income Water and Wastewater Customers Resulting from the COVID-19 Health Emergency
WHEREAS,
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus (GLLC) members are keenly aware of the financial hardships and public health issues of assuring a consistent and continued supply of clean water and proper treatment of wastewater as life-dependent, essential
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services; and
WHEREAS,
many utility customers are already falling behind on their utility bills and will need uniform programmatic assistance and financial help to get back on their feet following
the current pandemic; and
WHEREAS,
during this crisis, if customers are unable to pay their electric and/or natural gas bills,
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they are unlikely to be able to pay their water and wastewater bill; and
WHEREAS,
the GLLC recognizes the need for a LIHEAP-like water and wastewater funding assistance program, recognizing that water and wastewater services are essential for
public health and safety; now therefore be it
RESOLVED,
that the GLLC supports the creation of a low-income and emergency customer assistance program for water and wastewater services, provided by either municipal or privately owned utilities, at the federal and state levels to ensure that all households, regardless of race or income, are able to better afford water and wastewater services; and
RESOLVED,
that the GLLC appreciates and supports efforts to increase the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (“LIHEAP”) afforded to electric and gas customers; and be it
further
RESOLVED,
that the GLLC acknowledges that Congress should expand funding and access to funding with consideration to all of the tens of thousands of water and wastewater systems nationwide, whether investor-owned or municipal systems; and be it further
RESOLVED,
that this resolution be shared with the appropriate state and federal officials.
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