Utility Shut-offs – California

Utility shut-offs soar for poor PG&E customers, By David R. Baker, November 20, 2009, San Francisco Chronicle: “The number of low-income households cut off by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. after they fell behind on their utility bills jumped 75 percent this year, according to a state report released Thursday. For the 12 months that ended in August, 91,393 low-income households lost their utility service, compared with 52,202 in the previous 12-month period. Most soon paid to have service restored. The report, from a division of the California Public Utilities Commission, found that shut-offs increased throughout the state as the recession devastated home finances…”