For utility regulators, struggle to reach fair pandemic cost recovery unfolds

摘要

As emergency COVID-19 orders begin to roll off, current and formerutility regulators said the challenge of balancing the interests ofratepayers and utilities will be substantial and unprecedented.Utility commissions across the nation will soon shift fromimplementing consumer protections such as moratoriums on serviceshutoffs to determining how they should allow utilities to recovercoronavirus-related costs. Those cost recovery mechanisms stand toeither alleviate or exacerbate financial hardship for customers andutilities alike, depending on their design and a host of other factors,according to regulators.