SAN DIEGO, March 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- With the coronavirus pandemic causing significant impact on the economy and people's livelihoods, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced today that it will temporarily suspend service disconnections. The disconnection moratorium will remain in place until further notice.

The company is urging customers who are struggling to pay their utility bill due to financial hardships stemming from the coronavirus to call its Customer Contact Center at 1-800-411-7343 to make payment arrangements.

"With our entire region already experiencing many disruptions due to the coronavirus, the last thing we want our customers to worry about is whether they can afford to keep their lights on," said Scott Crider, SDG&E's vice president of customer services. 

SDG&E will also waive late payment fees for business customers whose finances have been hit hard by the coronavirus. The company does not charge residential customers a late payment fee. 

SDG&E's response to the pandemic also includes adopting a number of precautionary measures to protect the health and well-being of its customers, employees, and the communities it serves.

Health and Safety Precautions

SDG&E is following hygiene protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The protective and preventative measures SDG&E is undertaking to reduce the risk of infection include the following:

• Providing additional hand sanitizers throughout its facilities, including branch offices/payment locations
• Cleaning facilities more frequently with hospital-grade disinfectants
• Limiting access to critical operational facilities
• Implementing additional hygiene measures while performing work in customer homes and businesses, including social distancing and the use of personal protective equipment

To ensure operational stability, SDG&E has also implemented employee travel restrictions and protocols to limit in-person, onsite group meetings. 

Scam Alert

During times of uncertainty, scams targeting utility customers increase. For this reason, we urge SDG&E customers to call the company's Customer Contact Center at 1-800-411-7343, if they are suspicious about any coronavirus-related emails or calls they receive from people claiming to be with the company. 

For Updates 

As the coronavirus pandemic is rapidly evolving, we may have to modify customer access to non-critical programs or services. Please check sdge.com for ongoing updates.

SDG&E is an innovative San Diego-based energy company that provides clean, safe and reliable energy to better the lives of the people it serves in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The company is committed to creating a sustainable future by providing its electricity from renewable sources; modernizing natural gas pipelines; accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles; supporting numerous non-profit partners; and, investing in innovative technologies to ensure the reliable operation of the region's infrastructure for generations to come. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE). For more information, visit SDGEnews.com or connect with SDG&E on Twitter (@SDGE), Instagram (@SDGE) and Facebook.

SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric