Hi all –

 

We hope your organization will sign on to this letter urging the Council of the District of Columbia to pass robust legislation that permanently prohibits residential power, heat, and water utility disconnections for non-payment and forgives low-wealth customers' utility debt.   

 

Countless households in D.C. and across the United States are trying to stay cool in the wake of relentless, record-breaking heat waves. During this crisis, access to electricity, water, and other utilities is particularly life-saving. However, due to rising utility costs, far too many families are taking extreme measures to keep their bills down and food on the table, like rationing air conditioning or foregoing medicine. Will you join us in urging the Council to act?

 

Here's the link to sign on. The deadline is COB Thursday, September 14th.  

 

Original signatories include: Food & Water Watch; Green New Deal for DC; Latino Economic Development Center; We Power DC; Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA); Namati; DC Environmental Network; and Sierra Club, District of Columbia Chapter.  

 

Sign your organization onto this letter, which urges the Council to:  

  1. Prohibit utility disconnections for non-payment  
  2. Forgive low-wealth customers’ utility debt 
  3. Require more demographic data in disconnection and arrearage reports  
  4. Use progressive financing mechanisms to fund the above measures  

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask by emailing sgoodsonbell@biologicaldiversity.org.  



Thanks! 

Gaby and Selah

 

 

Gaby Sarri-Tobar

(she/ her/ ella)

Campaigner, Energy Justice Program

Center for Biological Diversity

1411 K Street. NW, Suite 1300

Washington, D.C. 20005

Work: (202) 594-7271

Cell: (240) 462-5461

Twitter: @GabySarriTobar