HB 1002

Electric utilities; disconnection procedures for nonpayment; Percentage of Income Payment Program; eligibility. Prohibits electric, gas, water, and wastewater utilities from disconnecting any residential customer due to the nonpayment of bills or fees prior to making reasonable efforts to offer bill payment assistance, arrange a payment plan, or provide information to the customer for other bill payment assistance or energy savings programs. The bill also requires each such utility to provide all required notices in any language that meets the threshold for having state election materials printed in that language. The bill also amends the Percentage of Income Payment Program, which provides electric bill payment assistance to eligible customers, to include participation by any retail electric customer of Dominion Energy Virginia or Appalachian Power with a household income at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, beginning January 1, 2027, and directs the Department of Social Services to update its rules and guidelines related to the Program accordingly.