After facing prolonged temperatures in the high 90s for weeks longer than even their traditionally warmer fall would call for, Arizonans heading into the winter weather season were in thousands of cases across the state facing miles-high stacks of overdue heating bills coming due after the state’s two-year-long Covid ban on shut-offs was finally coming to an end.
Responding proactively to head off a utility disconnection crisis, The Arizona Department of Economic Security announced this month that the state would make $36 Million in energy assistance available to families in need of a helping hand. Tapping once again into the partnerships that had been so crucial to distributing millions in LIHEAP aid to the state throughout the Covid crisis, this time an alliance formed between Arizona Public Service Co., the Salt River Project, Tucson Electric Power, UniSource Energy Services, and Southwest Gas had crafted the pilot project.
Michael Wisehart, Dept. of Economic Security Director, explained that “public-private partnerships like this are integral to ensuring families have access to the resources they need. With the utility companies’ collaboration, we will be able to distribute assistance to help customers keep their lights on and their accounts current. We are grateful for their partnership in supporting Arizona families. After this initial pilot, DES intends to expand this payment model to all utility providers statewide.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey capped off the welcome news with comments of his own underscoring the importance of new and innovative alliances like these to help “will increase efficiency, and…the Department’s partnership with private utility companies …is a significant benefit to individuals and families across Arizona. I’m grateful to the Department, APS, SRP, TEP, UES, and Southwest Gas for their dedication to getting resources to those in need, and I look forward to the ways the new investment and partnership will help fellow Arizonans.”
JB Reporting
(Source: Arizona launches $36M program to help families pay utility bills | TheHill)