In 27 states, utility companies have the power to disconnect service for non-payment, even during the hottest days of summer, with potentially deadly consequences. We spoke with those affected to shed light on this pressing issue.
Michael Crowley, a chef from Richmond, Virginia, vividly remembers a blistering August day in 2022 when he returned home from work to find his power shut off. “It felt like 100 degrees outside,” he recalled. That day, he discovered his electricity bill was overdue, something he hadn’t realized because he believed it was included in his rent—an assumption that stemmed from changes in property management rules he wasn’t informed about. “No one told me about the overdue bill,” he said, reflecting on the communication failures that left him without power for three days in sweltering heat that reached 93°F.
During that agonizing time, Crowley resorted to battery-operated fans to fight off the heat, but they offered little relief. He expressed deep concern for his cat, Arya, who seemed frightened and anxious. “I was freaking out,” he admitted. “What was I supposed to do?”
The issue of power disconnections during summer raises significant safety alarms. Last summer, a woman in Arizona sadly lost her life after her utilities were disconnected over just a $51 debt. Fortunately for Crowley, Virginia has since enacted a ban on utility shutoffs when temperatures reach 92°F or higher—a recognition of the dangers associated with extreme heat.
Yet, in 27 states, utility companies remain able to cut off power during extreme temperatures, even in states notorious for high heat like Hawaii and Florida. Selah Goodson Bell, a campaigner with the Center for Biological Diversity, highlighted the increasing lethality of heatwaves, stating they cause more fatalities than other extreme weather events. “This year is likely to be the hottest on record,” she warned, stressing the urgent need for states to take further action to protect utility customers.
Complicating efforts to address this crisis is the lack of reliable data on disconnections. In 22 states, utilities are not required to report shutoffs, making it challenging for policymakers to identify which communities are most affected. Sanya Carley from the Energy Justice Lab pointed out that only 10% of utility companies make their data public. “The lack of transparency regarding data is a significant issue,” she stated.
What data is available reveals alarming trends. By 2022, utilities had disconnected power to over 3 million customers due to unpaid bills, with more than 30% of those cutoffs occurring during the summer months. A 2023 analysis revealed that households faced electric shutoffs over 1.5 million times and gas shutoffs 380,000 times in the first ten months of 2022 alone, representing dramatic increases from the previous year.
As energy costs continue to climb, many families find themselves forced to choose between basic necessities, such as food and electricity. Reports indicate that the average monthly bill rose by 2% from 2021 to 2022, with forecasts predicting an 8% increase in 2024. Low-income households, in particular, struggle to maintain a stable and comfortable living situation. Robin Line, a resident of low-income housing in Los Angeles, described the dire conditions of her building: “The windows are not sealed, and it’s not weatherized,” she explained, highlighting how this jeopardizes her health during the scorching summer months.
Despite her challenges, Line has managed to avoid disconnection through ongoing communication with officials. “I’ve begged, pleaded, and borrowed,” she said, though the process of obtaining help has been incredibly frustrating for her.
Current protections for consumers facing shutoffs often fall short. In Arizona, while there is a ban on disconnections for overdue bills, cooperatively and publicly owned utilities are exempt. In Florida, Tallahassee has certain protections that only kick in during extreme heat, which happens rarely. Shelby Green from the Energy and Policy Institute argued that current policies do not address the full range of heat-related risks.
On a positive note, there have been strides made in some areas. Maine and Chicago have both enacted laws to prevent summer shutoffs during extreme heat. Additionally, initiatives are underway to improve data transparency regarding disconnections at a federal level, aimed at empowering advocates and policymakers to better protect vulnerable communities.
Victor Sanchez from the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy strongly advocates for lasting solutions. “Access to water and power shouldn’t just be secured during extreme weather,” he asserted. “It should be a year-round commitment.” As the nation grapples with extreme weather and rising energy costs, the dialogue surrounding utility shutoffs and protections has become increasingly critical.
