I apologize to my colleagues. I'm going to read this. It's going to be a little bit longer, but I just want to get the information out there.
The Power Corporation recognizes many of our customers will be facing financial impacts by the effects of the COVID-19 virus. We will adjust our policy on load limiters and disconnect as follows:
- customers experiencing financial hardship and who are having difficulties in paying their power bills, NTPC will provide customers with the option to further bill payment or enter into a flexible payment plan without penalty; and
- NTPC will not, I repeat, will not disconnect any customers. NTPC will limit customers who are in arrears but will adjust the approach to acknowledge that the current challenge exists.
Our limited policy will be adjusted as follows:
- If people haven't gone in and set up payment plans in the communities with smart meters, our load limit policy will be changed from 15 minutes on / 15 minutes off to 15 minutes on / 5 minutes off to ensure the homes are safe and kept warm;
- In communities that have manual meters, consumers may exceed the 15 amps usage will continue to have their powers undisturbed until the meter is manually reset. The meters can be reset by the customers; and
- If COVID-19 is identified in the community, all limiters, and I repeat, all limiters, will be removed until the pandemic declaration is over.