City of Pasadena Approves Stimulus Effort to Support Utility Customers

The City of Pasadena City Council approved a plan to issue rebatechecks to all Pasadena electric customers—both residents and businesses—in thecoming weeks. At the April 6 City Council meeting, councilmembers approvedsuspension of the collection of the Utility Underground Surtax (UUG) for aperiod of six months, and approved a proposal to refund all electric customersan amount equal to the UUG Surtax for a two-year period from April 2018 throughMarch 2020. Former customers having paid the surtax during this period wouldalso be eligible for rebates. The total estimated value of the rebates exceeds$11 million.

“These efforts are some of the many ways in which the City isworking to minimize the financial burden to the Pasadena community during thenovel coronavirus outbreak. Providing direct rebates will be the fastest way toensure that every electric customer receives some financial relief,” saidCity Manager Steve Mermell.

All current residential and commercial electric customers canexpect to receive a rebate check for the UUG Surtax within four to five weeks.Those who were Pasadena electric customers in the past two years but who nolonger have an account will receive information on how to apply for theirrefund if their new address is known.

To further provide financial relief, councilmembers also approveda proposal to temporarily stop collection of the UUG Surtax for six months,resulting in about a 4% lower utility bill for most electric customers.

Financial efforts began in March to provide relief from COVID-19when City Council took action to suspend the accrual of any Pasadena Water andPower (PWP) late fees and penalties on delinquent utility bills until furthernotice. Additionally, any PWP customer in delinquent status would notexperience shutoff to their water or electric service until further notice.

For information on additional benefits PWP offers to low-income customers and those who rely on medical devices, visit PWPweb.com/COVID19.

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