Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis plans to ask the state’s utility companies to delay customer disconnections for non-payment, days after Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency. Lewis says the heat can be deadly and no one should go without power in these conditions.
“While I understand they do not want to give the preference that people may not pay, this is life or death for people and we cannot be looking at profit margins over people’s health and life.”
Lewis says there’s currently a heat advisory disconnection policy in place that if it’s over a certain temperature customers cannot be disconnected. The District Three Democrat represents 10 parishes, that include Baton Rouge and New Orleans, says he’ll make the request at today’s PSC meeting.
“I will make a formal request today to all utilities. That includes water and natural gas to not disconnect anyone’s services throughout the heat state of emergency that the governor has issued.”
While it is common for electric utilities to pause disconnects following natural disasters and other emergencies, Lewis believes utilities are a human right, not a privilege and not a commodity…
“I need everyone to come to the table to center our people, center their health, and make choices that are just good for our society. Even if it’s not the best business practice for them.”
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