Baton Rouge – 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.”
My name is Alfreda I been talking to LUS to try to get my brother’s lights on. He been living in a house for a week and half with no lights or air. He does have an old bill but they tell me he has to pay old bill first. I asked them if there no way else to help him bc heat kills. No I’m sorry we cannot. Please help him I’m begging. I know he is hor in there.
My name is Alfreda I been talking to LUS to try to get my brother’s lights on. He been living in a house for a week and half with no lights or air. He does have an old bill Please help him I’m begging. I know he is hor in there.
Help
No they do not need to turn off water, I have had my water off for almost a month, I had been trying to gather the money to get it turned on and the utility company will not take what I have, so sad I have a son that suffer will a bad stomach , so with not fresh water or hot water , it will cause bacteria, for him could someone ease help, and it is hot because people need water to drink , folks not alway have money to buy bottle water, I live in Alexandria la. Please help
We have 84 people here without lights in Alexandria La most of them are elderly..and again we have not water it’s been turned off , I am begging again yes I owe a bill but I am trying to gather my money .Thank you so much
We have 84 people here without lights in Alexandria La most of them are elderly..and again we have not water it’s been turned off , I am begging again yes I owe a bill but I am trying to gather my money .Thank you so much