Our utility customers continue to keep the lights on, the water running, and gas services safely connected as the world faces a global pandemic. They are not only providing critical services but giving back and helping those in need. In this blog series, we recognize the honorable actions utilities are taking to support their communities during this exceptional time.

ComEd
ComEd provides electric service to more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois and is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation. The Exelon Foundation, along with ComEd and Exelon Generation, recently announced a $2 million donation to the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund to help residents impacted by the pandemic. Donations will be used to assist those most in need with crucial resources, including emergency food and basic supplies, interim housing and shelter, primary health care services, financial assistance and support for children and other vulnerable populations. To ensure reliable power, ComEd helped to transform the McCormick Place convention center into an alternate care facility for COVID-19 patients. In addition to supporting relief organizations, ComEd will suspend all service disconnections and late payment charges through at least June 1.

Florida Power & Light
Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) provides electricity to more than 5 million customer accounts or an estimated 10 million people across the state of Florida. In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, FPL issued a one-time decrease of residential customer bills by nearly 25%. To further support the community, FPL, its fellow NextEra Energy companies and employees have also committed nearly $2.75 million in COVID-19 emergency assistance funds that will be distributed directly to those in need and to partner organizations working on the frontlines of the crisis to provide critical support. The utility is also suspending electrical disconnections, providing payment extensions and waiving certain late payment fees for customers.

San Diego Gas & Electric
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is a regulated public utility that provides energy service to 3.6 million people through San Diego and southern Orange County. In response to the coronavirus outbreak, SDG&E joined other regional partners to launch the San Diego COVID-19 Community Response Fund. The fund will quickly deploy resources into the community to support programs and organizations supporting impacted populations, particularly those that are disproportionately affected by the global pandemic. As an additional step to help customers, SDG&E will not shut off service to those with unpaid bills until further notice.

Stay tuned as we share additional inspiring stories of how our utility customers are promoting health, safety and hope during this challenging time. To read the first blog in this series, click here. Part three in our series can be read here.