MAYOR WHITE AND ACORN OPEN AFFORDABLE UTILITY CENTER Community is Urged to Take Advantage of Shut Off Moratorium Before it Expires on September 30th
August 17, 2006 -- Mayor Bill White and ACORN are teaming up to ensure that Houstonians hardest hit by rising energy prices maintain access to utility services as temperatures and electric prices continue to soar. The Affordable Utility Center will provide consumers with information about choices to find the lowest-priced electric provider through Houston Consumer Choice, weatherization programs, and how to qualify for the newly issued Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) summer disconnection moratorium.
"It's important to provide the people and resources to help Houstonians get the most for their money, especially during our hot summers that bring high energy bills," said Mayor Bill White. "Thank you to ACORN for their help and dedication in this effort."
The center will be located in the City of Houston's Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center. ACORN community organizers and volunteers are trained to assist consumers with finding solutions to the utility crises they are facing this summer.
"We are proud to partner with Mayor White to run the Affordable Utility Center. There are a number of barriers our communities face right now because electricity is simply not affordable. This center will provide a critical service to inform consumers about their rights and available benefits when it comes to utility service," says Toni McElroy, President of Texas ACORN.
ACORN and allies lobbied the PUC in July to issue an emergency ruling to protect certain groups of consumers from electricity disconnections during the summer months. Low-income families, seniors and the critically ill are protected from shut offs if certain necessary steps are taken to inform their electric providers of their eligibility. The moratorium will expire on September 30 th . The Affordable Utility Center will assist consumers to contact their electric provider to stop disconnections for those who qualify.
"Let's face it, electric providers aren't going to stop shutting off service this summer just out of the kindness of their hearts. If we don't get the word out to the seniors and low income families about what they need to do to protect themselves, people will be shut off and lives will be threatened," says Imelda Benson, ACORN leader from Acres Homes who actively lobbied in Austin to win the PUC emergency ruling.
ACORN is the nation's largest community organization of low-and moderate-income families, with over 220,000 member families organized into 800 neighborhood chapters in 99 cities across the country. Since 1970 ACORN has taken action and won victories on issues of concern to our members, including better housing for first time homebuyers and tenants, living wages for low-wage workers, more investment in our communities from banks and governments, and better public schools.
