Utility Disconnections Allowed To Resume In Iowa May 28

Many of Iowa's utility companies have been waiving or postponing disconnections on users who didn't or couldn't pay during the Coronavirus pandemic. According to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, The Iowa Utilities Board has made the decision that they will be allowed to resume disconnections, with exceptions and restrictions.

Municipally-owned utilities can resume disconnections May 28, while investor-owned utilities can start July 1. Customers who received a 12-day disconnection notice will be granted an additional seven days notice, but the new clock can start before May 28.

The exemptions apply to users quarantined after a positive Coronavirus test. Residents with "health condition that requires the use of electric or natural gas service" are also exempt.

The Iowa Utilities Board issued an order on March 27 to prohibit utility disconnections as long as Gov. Kim Reynolds’ emergency order was in place. Reynolds’ order is set to expire May 27.

For its part, the Iowa Utilities Board, while saying municipal utilities CAN start disconnections on May 28, encourages them to wait to help continue to slow the spread of Coronavirus. Confusing, isn't it?

It's best to contact your utility provider for more information. The Iowa-American Water Company, for one, will not discontinue service until positive coronavirus tests have plateaued.