Coronavirus ban on shutoffs of electricity and gas extended in Wichita, KC suburbs
Saying the coronavirus pandemic continues, Kansas utility regulators Tuesday extended an emergency order barring utilities from shutting off service to customers who can’t pay their bills right now.
The order by the Kansas Corporation Commission covers all electric and natural gas utilities under state regulation, including the major providers in Wichita and the Kansas City suburbs, such as Evergy electric, Kansas Natural Gas Service, Black Hills Energy and Atmos Energy.
The new order prohibits shutoffs due to nonpayment of bills through May 15.
It also covers a scattering of small water and telecommunications systems in rural Kansas, said Linda Berry, commission spokeswoman.
The commission was among the first Kansas agencies to take action to address the COVID-19 threat and passed its first no-shutoffs order on March 16.
“That order was, is, effective for 30 days and would expire tomorrow,” KCC staff attorney Brian Fedotin said Tuesday. “This order notes that since the pandemic threat remains, this is a second emergency order . . . effective immediately.”
Unregulated utilities, including municipal water systems and most telephone and internet services, are covered by a separate no-shutoff order issued by Gov. Laura Kelly. That will be in effect until May 1 or until the state’s disaster emergency declaration is lifted.
This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 12:30 PM.
