Send an email: Keep the power on in Oregon!

Keep the Power on in Oregon!

The State of Oregon should be doing everything it can to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This means extending the power shut off moratorium.

To protect families from losing power during the COVID-19 pandemic, Oregon’s Public Utility Commission (PUC) — the body that regulates investor-owned utilities — made an important decision in 2020 to keep every Oregonian’s power on, even if they could not afford their utility bill. Now the PUC wants to end this critical protection on April 1.

On February 23rd, the PUC is voting on whether or not to extend the utility shut-off moratorium beyond April 1st, 2021. It’s up to all of us to speak out and demand that this critical protection is extended.

ACT NOW and submit a public comment to the PUC to keep the power on for Oregionians struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tell the PUC how you and your neighbors are impacted by COVID-19 in the sections provided and sign your name at the bottom!

COVID-19 is still impacting people across Oregon, especially elders, low-income, Black, Indigenous, and communities of color. The National Bureau of Economic Research found that utility shut-offs increase the likelihood of COVID-19 infections, specifically people at high risk.

Shutting off power can harm families and workers already deeply impacted by loss of income and even loss of loved ones during the pandemic. Children can’t attend online school if their power is shut off. Power shut offs can even result in death for people who need electricity to run critical home medical equipment.

We have the chance to extend this life-saving protection and keep the power on for people across Oregon struggling to pay their bills during the pandemic and economic recession. Thank you for taking action.

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Subject

Message

Dear Public Utility Commissioners, 

The State of Oregon should be doing everything it can to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring people can stay at home, which means extending the power shut off moratorium. 

COVID-19 is still impacting people across Oregon, especially low-income, Black, Indigenous, and communities of color. The National Bureau of Economic Research found that utility shut-offs increase the likelihood of COVID-19 infections and impact already communities most vulnerable to COVID-19. The majority of Oregonians live in areas that are at extreme and high risk of COVID-19 transmission and over 2,000 Oregonians have died from the virus.

[ADD YOUR STORY ABOUT WHY THE PUC MUST EXTEND THE UTILITY SHUT OFF MORATORIUM] 

Shutting off power can harm families and workers already deeply impacted by loss of income and even loss of loved ones during the pandemic. Children can’t attend online school if their power is shut off. Power shut offs can even result in death for people who need electricity to run critical home medical equipment. 

We have the chance to extend this life-saving protection and keep the power on for people across Oregon struggling to pay their bills during the pandemic and economic recession. 

I urge you to extend the utility disconnection moratorium beyond its current proposed date of April 1, 2021. 

Sincerely,
[ADD YOUR NAME HERE]