WASHINGTON JOINS IN CRUSADE AGAINST UTILITY SHUTOFFS

          HARRISBURG, December 7 – State Senator Leanna M. Washington (D-Phila.) joined the Pennsylvania chapter of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) at a press conference yesterday as they rallied against utility shut-offs during the winter.

          “For those unable to afford the high costs of heating their homes, the shut-offs will force them to either freeze or find dangerous, often fatal, ways to heat their homes this winter,” Washington said.

          Washington is the prime Democratic co-sponsor of legislation (Senate Bill 1005) that would allow consumers whose utilities were shut off before December 1 - the date of the winter moratorium - to pay a small fee to have their services turned back on so they can have heat this winter.  It only affects low-income consumers.

          “While the winter moratorium on utility shut-offs for low income persons went into effect less than a week ago, many people forgot about the large numbers of low-income persons whose utilities were already shut off- many as early as summer-and could not afford to have them turned back on.”

          Washington added that this reconnection fee would not exceed $50 and the security deposit would be no more than $100 to restore services.

          “These are homes with children living with no heat – grandmothers and grandfathers living with no heat and no hot water to take a bath with,” Washington said.  “Something must be done now.”