The Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities will resume utility disconnections.
The moratorium on disconnections for past due bills ended on Wednesday, Nov. 3.
At the BPU board meeting Nov. 3, Johnetta Hinson, BPU executive director of customer service, said that the BPU would slowly return to normal operations. They will begin a modified collection process starting Nov. 4, she said.
Usually the BPU disconnects from 200 to 250 customers a day, she said. They will start with half that many and slowly ramp it up, she said.
Hinson said customers are encouraged to see if they qualify for utility assistance through the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program. Other utility assistance could be available through the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program or through social service agencies in Kansas City, Kansas.
Customers also are encouraged to contact BPU customer relations to speak with a customer service representative about utility payment arrangements, she said.
Residents and board members did not discuss extending the moratorium further. According to BPU information, if utilities are disconnected, customers will have to pay the bill and also could be charged a deposit to turn it back on. New customers also pay a customer service fee.
One resident asked if the BPU would add a medical device to its list of approved medical devices for which the electricity would not be turned off. A family member needs the medical device, which runs on electricity, for survival, she said. It was not the first time she made the request. She said her husband’s doctor tried unsuccessfully to have the equipment added to the list.
Her request was supported by activist Beto Lugo-Martinez, executive director of Clean Air Now.
BPU General Manager Bill Johnson said he would have customer service contact the resident with information about how to apply to get the equipment on the approved list. Information about the BPU life support program is at https://www.bpu.com/ForHome/ElectricService/LifeSupportProgram.aspx.
The BPU also has a cold weather rule in its policies that takes effect Nov. 1 through March 31.
However, temperatures have not been cold enough yet for the rule to kick in.
The policy says BPU will not disconnect residential electric customers for nonpayment of bills when the National Weather Service forecasts the temperature will remain at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for 24 hours.
So far, temperatures have been freezing a few nights, but rebounding to the 50s during the daytime. Temperatures will reach the 60s this weekend. The long-range forecast calls for near normal temperatures from Nov. 10 to 16.
Customers who have BPU billing or service questions may call 913-573-9190 to speak with a utility representative.