During pandemic, some Idaho utilities won’t cut service but tax relief deadlines remain
With more than 100,000 Idaho children home from school and many others self-isolating, Intermountain Gas announced Tuesday that the company will not cut natural gas from homes for now, even with unpaid bills.
The gas company is one of several utility services in Idaho that have made similar announcements.
Intermountain Gas serves about 368,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 75 communities in southern Idaho.
As of Tuesday morning, seven people in Idaho had tested positive for novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 disease, and more than 350 Idahoans had been tested. The local, state and federal governments are encouraging people to stay home, if possible, to stop the spread of the virus.
Intermountain Gas said it has filed requests with regulatory commissions for a waiver of customer late fees, and will work with customers to set up payment plans as needed.
“We know our customers look to us to provide safe and reliable natural gas service, which requires employees being available 24/7 to fulfill critical roles and emergency response,” the company said in a news release. “We also know some of our business and residential customers might have trouble paying their bills because of coronavirus-related hardships.”
Idaho Power suspends shutoffs
Also on Tuesday, Idaho Power said it is temporarily suspending power shutoffs during the outbreak.
“We have a long history of working with our customers when they need us most. That commitment continues during the current COVID-19 outbreak,” spokesman Brad Bowlin said. “We are temporarily suspending disconnections for homes and small businesses facing hardship during the coronavirus pandemic.”
Idaho Power customers who are struggling are asked to call customer service at 208-388-2323 or 1-800-488-6151.
Suez won’t cut water service
Suez Water, the water company that services Boise, issued a statement to customers on Monday saying they will not shut off water to customers, unless it is an emergency.
“The critical importance of having water available is even more heightened during this crisis as washing hands often is one of the most important things we can all do to ensure health and safety,” Suez wrote.
Sparklight, CenturyLink end data limits
Sparklight, formerly known as Cable One, services the area with high-speed internet, cable television, and phone services. The company said it is offering exemptions for customers during the pandemic.
On March 13, Sparklight said it would offer unlimited data to customers for 30 days and would waive late fees for the next 60 days due to COVID-19 hardship. The company also will offer payment deferrals to customers who call to make arrangements.
“We understand that our customers rely on their internet service to stay connected to family, work, school and information, and we are committed to ensuring they receive the assistance they need during this time,” said Julie Laulis, president and CEO, in a news release.
CenturyLink announced it would also suspend its data cap. In an email to customers Monday, the company said that for the next 60 days, it would waive late fees and not terminate service at homes or small businesses affected by COVID-19.
Boise trash collections continue
The city of Boise said that trash, recycling and compost would be collected as normal, but collection times may change to start by 6 a.m. or continue through the evening. Collection days and weeks are set to stay the same.
Ada County continues evictions
Ada County will still follow through on eviction orders, Sheriff Stephen Bartlett said at a news conference Tuesday. Evictions are ordered by 4th Judicial District judges after a landlord sues, and the sheriff follows those orders.
“All of our civil services will continue as scheduled at this time,” he said.
Property tax deadlines unchanged
The deadlines for property-tax relief applications have also not changed. Bob McQuade, the Ada County assessor, said at the same news conference that all applications for the circuit breaker program for low-income homeowners and the homeowner’s exemption program are still due April 15.
That deadline is set at the state level, he said. He encouraged anyone who needs help with the forms to call his office.
“Download the form and just sign it,” McQuade said. “Once you’ve done that, you still have your rights and we can work well into late April or even May with you, but if you don’t get that application to us by April 15, really any ability to qualify for that has been shot.”
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 12:12 PM.
