Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Witnesses tell House committee Vermont's 15‑day disconnect policy puts people with disabilities at risk
Summary
Residents and an advocacy director told the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee that a 15‑day disconnect window and rigid payment‑plan rules can leave people with disabilities without life‑supporting electricity. Witnesses urged medical exemptions and income‑based assistance.
Kils Ochem, a resident of Waterbury, told the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee on Feb. 11 that automated billing and a short disconnect window leave people with disabilities and low incomes with untenable choices.
“I am, I'm disabled, and I am on the border of poverty,” Ochem said, describing a system where "the day that you are over by, like, 1 day, they send out that notice, and you have 15 days ... and then you get your electricity cut off." She said automated notices and irregular mail delivery reduce the practical time people have to respond.
Committee members pressed Ochem to clarify the timing of notices; Ochem said the practical countdown appears to begin immediately after a…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
