Save Lives by Stopping Extreme Weather Utility Shutoffs
When extreme weather strikes, a utility denying power over a billing dispute can risk the lives of seniors, children and anyone with a medical condition. A problem with your utility bill should not lead to a life threatening situation, and there’s no reason for utilities to voluntarily shut-off people’s power during these extreme weather events. By preventing utilities from denying service during episodes of extreme weather, the “No Extreme Weather Shutoffs Act” sets clear rules for when a shut-off is safe, and when it’s simply too dangerous.
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Senior citizen advocates
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Advocates for people with disabilities
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Child welfare advocates
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Utilities that want to maximize the leverage of power shutoffs, even if it risks lives
This act shall be known as the No Extreme Weather Shutoffs Act
To prevent utility shutoffs when extreme weather means such shutoffs would have life-threatening impacts
(a) “Affected Entities” means entities that deliver energy that powers heating or cooling to a residential property.
(b) As of 90 days after passage of this Act, Affected Entities may not shut off or stop energy delivery to a residential property on days when, with regard to the location where the meter is located:
-(i) A state of emergency has been declared by a governmental unit due to weather; or
-(ii) Temperatures have reached levels established by DEPARTMENT [with responsibility for public health in state] which, based on best available scientific evidence and research, energy shutoff would be a threat to health and safety.
(c) Within 60 days of passage of this Act, and annually thereafter DEPARTMENT [with responsibility for public health in state] shall:
-(i) Issue emergency regulations establishing temperatures at which, based on best available scientific evidence and research, energy shutoff would be a threat to health and safety; and
-(ii) Establish a process to make such temperature declarations available on its website and communicate them to Affected Entities. However, a failure of Affected Entities to receive such notice does not relieve the requirements of section (b) above.
(d) DEPARTMENT [with responsibility for utility regulation] shall have enforcement authority over Affected Entities for violation of these provisions.