Access to Utility Service

Disconnections, Metering, Payments, Telecommunications, and Assistance Programs

Delivery of electricity, gas, water, and telecommunications services are some of the biggest problem areas for consumers today. Skyrocketing prices, de-regulation, and widespread terminations all make access to utility service an area essential to a consumer law practice.

What You Need to Know in This Evolving Area

• Rights to prevent disconnections and to reconnect service
• Deposits, late charges, level billing plans, master metering, other metering issues
• Right to utility service
• Discount rates and affordability programs
• Federal fuel assistance program
• Weatherization and energy efficiency programs
• Utility allowances in subsidized housing
• Tenant strategies to maintain service despite landlord non-payment
• Telephone and Telecommunications issues
• Affordable water service
• Manufactured homes and utility service
• Using bankruptcy to restore service
• Municipal and REC utility service
• Oil, propane, and other deliverable fuels

Praise

"The NCLC manual series is the primary authority in their respective subjects. Many of the queries I get from lawyers and lay people on a regular basis can be easily answered by referring to the manuals." — Alan M. White, Professor of Law, CUNY