Working Together to Help Residents Manage Their Utility Bills
The DCSEU and three District agencies charged with serving DC utility consumers kicked off “#Here2HelpDC,” a public awareness campaign to inform residents and businesses about energy and money-saving initiatives that will help minimize negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We want District residents and businesses to know that we are with them every step of the way during the COVID-19 recovery. By partnering with District agencies, consumers can easily find help and resources to maintain their essential services."
Here2HelpDC began as a response to COVID-19, and has been a partnership among the DCSEU, DOEE, the DC Public Service Commission, and the Office of the People's Counsel. This public awareness campaign has informed residents about consumer protections, consumer assistance, and energy and money-saving initiatives that will help minimize energy use impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
These District organizations have continued to share tips and tools to help consumers conserve energy and water resources, reduce billing costs, and use relief and payment programs. The campaign gives residents a trusted clearninghouse of information for where to turn for help.
"Working together, we can teach consumers self-help measures that will save them from even more hardships when things get back to normal," said People's Counsel Sandra Mattavous-Frye. "I am pleased to have OPC participate in #Here2HelpDC."
Willie L. Phillips, Chair of the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia noted too that "We want District residents and businesses to know that we are with them every step of the way during the COVID-19 recovery. By partnering with District agencies, consumers can easily find help and resources to maintain their essential services."
"Residents in the District have faced an unprecedented level of uncertainty and hardship. It is the priority of DOEE to help ensure that they will not experience more difficulties as we all emerge from this emergy," said Tommy Wells, Director of DOEE. "#Here2HelpDC will aid in the effort to inform and educate the public of their options going forward."
The #Here2HelpDC campaign continues into FY 2021 with a website operated by the Commission, and with regular meetings with the utilities to determine how to continue to reach out effectively to consumers in need of information and support. Residents can also call the DC311 call center and ask for #Here2HelpDC to be put in touch with staff that can direct consumers to money- and energy-saving resources.
