NEW WESTMINSTER - New Westminster City Council and the New Westminster Electric Utility Commission are introducing additional COVID-19 customer relief measures to help residential and small commercial customers experiencing financial hardship during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
“We recognize this is very challenging time for many families and businesses in our community as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Jonathan Coté. “The City of New Westminster is committed to supporting our residents and local businesses, and we hope that we can provide some financial relief for those who need it by waiving electric utility bill payments for the next few months.”
In addition to allowing customers the option to defer bill payments or arrange for flexible payment plans, new relief measures will include the following:
- Reduce all electric utility bills by 1% for the remainder of the year for all New Westminster Electric Utility customers
- Bill credit for up to 3 months for all eligible residential customers who have been laid off, unable to work or have closed their businesses (application required)
- Waive up to 3 months for all eligible small business customers who have closed their business and ceased operations due to a government order or because of a reduction in business on or after March 15, 2020 due to COVID-19 (application required)
- Move the remaining Climate Action Levy of 2.5% to the current Rate Rider
Further details, including eligibility requirements, will be posted over the coming days on the City of New Westminster website at www.newwestcity.ca. Application documents are expected to become available online starting the week of April 20, 2020.
New Westminster Electric Utility is an essential service with many critical functions that must operate 24/7 in order to power the city. The City of New Westminster continues to monitor the situation closely and will implement new measures as the situation progresses based on information and advice provided by health authorities.
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Media Contact:
Rod Carle
General Manager
New Westminster Electric Utility
604-527-4569 or