Elderly could get time to pay power bill

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The bills follow the public outcry after the December death of 89-year-old Elizabeth Verdin of Greenville. She died of hypothermia five days after power to her home was disconnected.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Karl Allen of Greenville requires the elderly to list their age and income with their power companies in order to be protected. Anyone 65 or older with a taxable income of $15,000 or less would be covered.

Utilities would have to notify DSS of any planned disconnection and could not stop service for at least 45 days. DSS would investigate each case, determine what help might be available and "provide whatever other assistance" it can."

A a bill sponsored by Rep. John Scott of Columbia is similar to Allen's but allows disconnections after 30 days instead of 45 and includes those elderly with incomes of $25,000 or less.

Residents said they like the idea behind both bills.

The Rev. John Berry of Piedmont, who heads a Greenville-area Baptist ministers association, said senior citizens need oversight.

"I think you should have someone to look after them at that age," he said. "Life is more important than getting 60 days behind on a bill."

Bill Blanks, an 84-year-old Richland County farmer, talked to Scott about the problem.

"I don't think people realize how elderly people forget," he said. "People can have money in the bank and forget to pay their bills."

Allen said he proposed his legislation because Verdin's death was so preventable.

"The elderly are sometimes very proud, and some in their advanced age are not as sharp as they were when they were younger," he said. "Getting that agency involved in that 45-day period would be the best shot at assuring that this doesn't happen again. I think it's the least that can be done."

Scott said there are a variety of reasons why the elderly might not pay their bills. Some might be on medication and forget, he said, while others might be too ill to get out to pay the bill.

"I think we can do a better job at saving people's lives," he said.

Hali Stephens of Easley said she worries that DSS may be too overwhelmed to take on the issue of power disconnections. She said she also wonders if 65 is the right age. But she praised lawmakers for trying something.

"I think that's a good start," she said. "At least they're addressing it."

Tim Pettit, a Duke Power spokesman, said both bills recognize the importance of identifying those with special needs, "an essential part of any safety net."

The state Office of Regulatory Staff, which looks after consumers' interest in utility regulation, last week announced a ban on disconnections for the elderly until March 31 if temperatures are forecast to reach 32 degrees or lower for the next day. The agency also is working on recommendations to the state Public Service Commission for permanent rules changes for disconnections.

Duke has already tightened its disconnection procedures and put in place a moratorium on any disconnections for the elderly for the rest of this winter.

"We look forward to additional dialogue with the ORS and the state's other regulated utilities as we explore the appropriate safety net for customers who are elderly or have special or medical needs," Pettit said.

Rep. Harry Cato of Travelers Rest, who chairs the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee and signed as a sponsor of Scott's bill, said he wants to see what the ORS recommends before lawmakers pass anything. But he said he agreed with the idea behind both bills.

"I do like the concept of having a third-party agency, whether it's DSS or somebody else, that the utilities can notify," he said.