John,

Countless families in D.C. are trying to stay warm this winter. As the temperature drops toward freezing, uninterrupted access to electricity, water and other utilities can be lifesaving.

Meanwhile utility costs are rising — and many people are taking extreme measures to keep their bills down, including rationing their utilities or forgoing medicine. Nobody should have to choose between food and heat. [link removed]

As a trailblazing force for climate justice, the D.C. Council must do all it can to stop utility companies from shackling people to lifetimes of poverty and instability.

Two utilities, Pepco and Washington Gas, have been shutting off more and more families' utilities for nonpayment. These companies are opting to use inhumane and punitive tactics to line the pockets of Wall Street investors at the expense of people's health and wellbeing. If Pepco and Washington Gas had spent just 1% less on shareholder dividends last year, they could have prevented more than 13,000 shutoffs.

D.C. households need immediate and lasting relief. Tell the Council to introduce legislation that bans nonpayment-related disconnections for residential power, heat and water utilities and forgives utility debt for low-income customers. [link removed]

Sincerely,

Selah Goodson Bell
D.C. Energy Justice Campaigner
Center for Biological Diversity

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Center for Biological Diversity
P.O. Box 710
Tucson, AZ 85702
United States