Essential Businesses & Utility Company no Shut-Off Orders

Aside from supermarkets and drug stores, a lot of confusion persists over exactly what business are allowed to operate in Massachusetts during the COVID-19 period. To allay this confusion, here is a list of Massachusetts Businesses Deemed “Essential Businesses” During COVID-19: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-essential-services

Further, the Baker-Polito Administration has taken steps to temporarily prohibit Massachusetts utility shutoffs to protect customers During the COVID-19 suspension. Governor Baker’s Office has directed the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to prohibit investor-owned utility companies from shutting off gas, electric, and water utility service to any customers for failure to pay any portion of a bill until the current State of Emergency is lifted or the DPU issues other directives.

That action builds upon the DPU’s earlier, March 13 moratorium which requested that utility companies refrain from initiating gas and electric service disconnections for residents throughout the Commonwealth, as this is now a state order during this emergency. The recent order builds upon the DPU's initial request on March 13, extending the moratorium to cover all utility customers, including residential, commercial, and small businesses, throughout this State of Emergency.

The Governor’s Order also prohibits investor-owned utility companies from sending customers any communications that threaten to shut off gas, electric, due to failure to pay any amount of a bill that companies have issued customers. Penalties of up to $1 million per violation can be assessed against utility companies that violate that order.

If you feel that a utility company is seeking immediate payment of electric. Gas, water or sewer charges during the COVID-19 outbreak, call our office. We’d be glad to speak with you, without any charge.