Governor Cooper issues Executive Order to prohibit utilities from shutting off service for non-payment

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Governor Roy Cooper:

“Good afternoon. Thank you for joining today’s update on COVID-19 in North Carolina. As of this morning, we have 1,498 confirmed positive cases and unfortunately, this virus has now taken the lives of eight North Carolinians. As a state, I know we are keeping their families and loved ones in our prayers. Our Stay At Home order is in effect now. I know it’s hard, but prevention is still the single most important thing you can do right now.

“Prevention means maintaining physical distance from each other, washing hands, coughing into the elbow. Those simple things can save lives, including your own. It’s vitally important that everyone take this order seriously and obey it. Don’t let down your guard. Staying home slows the spread of this illness. It lets our hospitals and healthcare workers keep up with the demand. If we don’t slow the spread and flatten the curve, our medical system will be stretched beyond its capacity.

“You only have to turn on the TV or glance at your iPhone to see what happens when hospitals get more cases than they can handle. I know our economy has taken a hit and so have the finances of people across North Carolina. That’s why I took action to make unemployment benefits more widely available. With the federal boost of $600 a week, it can help keep people afloat who’ve lost their jobs.

“Help for small businesses is on the way along with federal stimulus checks. But we know we’ll have to do more. Now we are taking another step to help families. Today, I have signed an executive order to prohibit utilities from shutting off service to people who are unable to pay.

“This action is particularly important since tomorrow is the first of the month, and I know that’s a date many families fear when they can’t make ends meet. Today’s action orders that electric, gas, water and wastewater services can’t be shut off for the next 60 days. Telecommunication companies that provide phone, cable and internet services are strongly urged to follow these same rules.

“This order encourages banks not to charge customers for overdraft fees, late fees and other penalties. The order is in effect for 60 days, and we will be able to re-evaluate where we are in the arc of this pandemic to determine if protections are needed longer.

“I appreciate companies like Duke Energy, Dominion Energy, AT&T, Spectrum, local electric co-ops and many others for already announcing policies to prevent shutoffs. I know there are too many companies to name, but I commend them for doing the right thing.

“Households are already getting help in other ways. The State of Emergency I declared outlaws price gouging. Those unemployment benefits I mentioned earlier will start going out this week. And at the outset of this pandemic, Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley took the important step to stop newly entered evictions from moving forward. I am grateful for her swift action and I know many families are too.

“In consultation with Attorney General Josh Stein, who is here with us today, this order strongly encourages the delay of any evictions that had already been entered. People should pay their bills, and the vast majority want to and do. But during this crisis, some just don’t have enough money.

“These protections will help families stay in their homes and keep vital services like electricity, water, and communications going as we #StayatHome. I've activated additional National Guard personnel for state active duty, bringing our total by the weekend to 180.

“These additional guard servicemembers will help get supplies where they’re needed as quickly as possible and conduct engineering assessments should we need to begin building alternative hospital facilities. And as with every day, we continue to push for more medical supplies like protective gear for health care workers. To date, North Carolina has received 17.6 percent of what it’s asked for from the Strategic National Supply.

“That’s not enough, and we are pushing to get these orders filled any way we can. We’re searching high and low to get medical supplies from other sources, and we’ll keep pushing until we get what we need. I continue to ask that you be mindful of families who need food and avoid overbuying at the grocery store, particularly tomorrow and this week. Federal food assistance for families in need comes in at the first of the month.

“That’s tomorrow, April 1. Food supplies remain strong, so just buy what you need so that there’s enough for everyone. As we settle into a new rhythm of life, please know that if we all do our part we’ll get through these times. The decisions we’re making to battle this invisible enemy have not been easy. But they are necessary to save lives.

“Every time I’ve spoken from this podium, I have encouraged North Carolinians to look out for each other in the face of this crisis. Today, I am honored to sign an order that does just that. Helping each other through this is how we will achieve victory. This virus may be tearing through our state right now, but it won’t tear through the bonds we share with each other.”