This petition stems from a deeply personal struggle. Like many, I once fell on hard times and was beset with challenges. Just as I was working to turn my life around, I was hit by a staggering utility bill, three times what I was expecting. This is a reality all too common for countless individuals and families across the nation who are trying their utmost to stay afloat.

In the United States alone, around 31% of adults, nearly a third of the population, have reported difficulties in paying their energy bills according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Utility companies are often relentless, charging exorbitant late fees, unreasonable deposits, and demanding huge payments even from those financially struggling and in desperate need of a payment arrangement.

We are calling on lawmakers to regulate this sector in a fair and humane way, preventing utility companies from exploiting vulnerable customers who have found themselves in a financial bind. No one struggling to make their way back should be hit with unreasonable penalties that only serve to deepen their hardship.

We appeal to public compassion and common sense. Let us stand together in the face of these injustices by signing this petition, and help ensure that utility companies cannot prey on those who are simply trying to get back on their feet.