Funding to assist NC families with rent, utilities during Covid runs out today

CONTACT: Rory McIlmoil, Appalachian Voices, rory@appvoices.org, (423) 433-9415 Jovita Lee, Center for Biological Diversity, jlee@biologicaldiversity.org, (919) 925-2486 As of 6 pm today, the roughly $175 million allocated for Governor Roy Cooper’s HOPE program — which has provided financial relief for renters unable to pay their rent or utility bills — will have run out after…

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Energy cost hike would burden N.C. families

The Covid and economic crisis has laid bare the monthly struggle too many Americans have faced for a long time — whether to pay their electric bill or buy other essentials like food, medicine or school supplies and risk having their power shut off.

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One million N.C. households at risk of losing electricity and water during pandemic

CONTACT: Rory McIlmoil, Sr. Energy Analyst, Appalachian Voices, rory@appvoices.org, (423) 433-9415 Al Ripley, Director, Consumer, Housing and Energy Project, NC Justice Center, al@ncjustice.org, (919) 274-8245 William Barber, III, Environmental Justice Committee Co-Chair, NC Poor People’s Campaign, william.barber.iii@gmail.com, (202) 567-6800 Maria Michalos, Eastern Regional Communications Manager, Natural Resources Defense Council, mmichalos@nrdc.org, (631) 848-1588 Raleigh, N.C. —…

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Va should expand utility shutoff ban during Covid-19 crisis

protester in car

CONTACT: Peter Anderson, Senior Program Manager Virginia, 434-293-6373, peter@appvoices.org Rory McIlmoil, Senior Energy Analyst, 828-262-1500, rory@appvoices.org Appalachian Voices sent a letter today to the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) urging the commissioners to extend and strengthen the existing moratorium on water, gas and electric utility disconnections and late payment fees to protect families who are…

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NC governor extends moratorium on utility shutoffs during Covid crisis

protester in car

CONTACT: Al Ripley, Director, NC Justice Center, Director of Housing, Consumer and Energy Project, 919-274-8245 Rory McIlmoil, Appalachian Voices, Senior Energy Analyst, 828-266-1500 Tyler Fitch, Vote Solar, Southeast Regulatory Manager; Press contact Hilary Lewis, 202-455-0361 Luis Martinez, Natural Resources Defense Council, Senior Attorney and Director Southeast Energy; Press contact Maria Michalos, 631-848-1588 N.C. Governor Roy…

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Groups urge expansion of NC utility shutoff moratorium during Covid-19

CONTACT: Rory McIlmoil, Sr. Energy Analyst, Appalachian Voices, rory@appvoices.org, (423) 433-9415 Maria Michalos, Eastern Regional Communications Manager, Natural Resources Defense Council, mmichalos@nrdc.org, (631) 848-1588 Al Ripley, Director, Consumer, Housing and Energy Project, NC Justice Center, al@ncjustice.org, (919) 274-8245 Hilary Lewis, Communications Director, Vote Solar, hilary@votesolar.org, (202) 455-0361 *NOTE: The letter to the governor was updated…

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NC governor orders halt to utility shutoffs during pandemic

CONTACT: Al Ripley, Director Consumer, Housing and Energy Project NC Justice Center (919) 274-8245 al@ncjustice.org Rory McIlmoil, Senior Energy Analyst Appalachian Voices (828) 262-3385 rory@appvoices.org Today, Gov. Roy Cooper announced an order directing all electric, gas, water and wastewater utilities operating in the state to suspend service shutoffs, late payment fees and reconnection fees to…

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