By Pepper Fisher

PORT ANGELES – In order to quell the pandemic’s impact on many people’s ability to pay their utility bills, Governor Inslee last year put a moratorium on disconnecting utility customers for non-payment.

That moratorium is scheduled to end September 30, and customers will be responsible for all current and past due charges at that time. It’s going to be a hefty bill for a lot of people who may not yet be out of the woods financially.

With that in mind, the City of Port Angeles has announced their commitment to working with customers to provide options for payment of utility balances, including the waiver of interest on accounts through December of this year and a range of payment plans.

Better yet, there are a host of other agencies offering cash assistance for utility, rental and mortgage relief right now.

Clallam PUD is also offering payment plans. Nicole Clark says before you apply for their plan, you should first apply for some of these assistance programs, (click here) and the sooner the better.

“Right now is the best time for them to apply because if they wait until the end of the month, they could have several hundred applications in line ahead of them at the assistance agencies. And so we don’t want them to have a delay, if they do get their power disconnected, in waiting for those applications to be processed. You know, not only are they going to be drawing down the amount of available funds, but they may be without power while they wait.”

A complete list of local agencies that may be able to assist you is available on the Customer Service Utilities page on the City’s website (click here).

For more information, call the City of Port Angeles at 360-457-0411, or email utilities@cityofpa.us with any questions or to create a payment plan.

To reach Clallam PUD call 360-452-9771.