Virginia’s State Corporation Commission has extended the moratorium on service disconnections for utility customers due to unpaid bills caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The SCC order extends the ban through Aug. 31 and gives the General Assembly time to address the economic impact of the crisis on utility customers.

During the crisis period, electricity, natural gas, water and sewer utilities regulated by the SCC must offer extended payment plans with no late fees or reconnection charges to residential and small business customers whose unpaid bill amounts are the result of COVID-19 issues.

Reacting early to the crisis in mid-March, the SCC ordered a 60-day ban on service cut-offs. In a mid-May order, the ban was extended an additional 30 days through June 15.

In explaining the need for an additional extension, the SCC stated, “Our purpose since our original order on March 16th imposing a moratorium on service shut-offs has been to protect Virginia’s utility...