Elizabeth City community members collectively have more than $2 million in unpaid utility bills. | Pixabay
Elizabeth City community members collectively have more than $2 million in unpaid utility bills. | Pixabay
Gov. Roy Cooper's recent executive order that provides a 60-day extension for utility cutoffs and late fees comes as Elizabeth City customers reportedly owe more than $2 million in unpaid bills.
That $2 million figure is anticipated to grow in the next two months, the Daily Advance reported on June 2, due to lingering financial hardships residents face because of COVID-19's economic impact.
“North Carolinians need relief to help make ends meet during the pandemic,” Cooper said in a May 30 statement about extending the utility order. “Extending housing and utility protections will mean more people can stay in their homes and stay safe as we all work to slow the spread of this virus.”
The executive order includes prohibiting the cutoff of electric, gas, water and wastewater utilities and extends payment plans for at least six months to those not up to date on their bills, the Daily Advance reported. The order also prevents evictions for three weeks for those tenants behind in rent.
“North Carolinians want to pay their rent, but for far too many people – through no fault of their own – that’s just not possible right now,” Attorney General Josh Stein said in the May 30 statement.
The article also reported that Elizabeth City is planning to write off about $400,000 in utility bills and has suffered a more than $100,000 loss of revenues due to the governor's executive order.
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