Electric utilities in the United States are increasingly disconnecting power to households, particularly during the scorching summer months, a recent report reveals. The surge in power shutoffs is a stark reminder of the impact of climate change, which leads to more intense, frequent, and prolonged heatwaves across the country.
The consequences of power shutoffs can be severe, especially during extreme weather conditions such as freezing temperatures or blistering heatwaves. Apart from health risks, households may also face challenges like losing access to essential services like phone, internet, medical equipment, and food storage. Basic comfort and survival become difficult when electricity is cut off.
A report by the Center for Biological Diversity highlighted that six major investor-owned utilities disconnected customers over 662,000 times between January and September 2024, marking a significant increase from the previous year. Companies like Georgia Power, DTE Energy, Duke Energy, Ameren Corporation, Pacific Gas & Electric, and Arizona Public Service were among those mentioned in the report.
Lead author Selah Goodson Bell emphasized that all power shutoffs and their associated harms are preventable. State and local governments have the authority to protect customers by implementing policies like comprehensive shutoff bans during extreme weather conditions and regulating utility rate hikes. While many states already prohibit shutoffs during cold weather, an increasing number are now extending these bans to heatwaves.
Data on power shutoffs remains fragmented across the country, with 22 states not mandating utilities to report disconnections. Of the states that do report, only 20 states and Washington, D.C. have up-to-date information. The report focused on the six utilities due to their comprehensive disconnection data and customer base spanning various regions in the U.S.
In Georgia, Georgia Power disconnected customers for nonpayment over 180,000 times in the first nine months of 2024, representing a significant increase from the previous year. Similar trends were observed with other utilities like Duke Energy, DTE Energy, Ameren, Pacific Gas & Electric, and Arizona Public Service.
The report attributed the rise in shutoffs to factors like inflation, rate hikes, and climate change. However, the underlying issue lies in the outdated utility business model that disproportionately impacts low-income customers. Despite recording substantial profits, the utilities could have prevented all shutoffs with a minimal allocation of shareholder dividends.
Apart from increased electricity consumption to combat extreme temperatures, customers are also bearing the costs of grid repairs post-disasters like wildfires and hurricanes. The report highlighted utilities’ efforts to expand gas infrastructure and fossil fuel energy sources, undermining climate change mitigation initiatives like rooftop solar.
While some utilities claim that disconnection is a last resort and offer energy assistance programs, the report underscores the need for systemic changes to address energy injustices. With more states enacting heat-based shutoff bans and strengthening existing regulations, there is growing momentum to hold utility companies accountable and protect vulnerable customers from power disruptions. A recent report by the Center for Biological Diversity has shed light on the impact of temperature-based shutoff bans on utility disconnections in different states. The report revealed that summertime shutoffs in Illinois decreased by 13 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, indicating a positive change.
However, the situation in Michigan and California tells a different story. Despite having temperature-based shutoff bans for extreme heat, utilities such as DTE Energy and PG&E still saw a peak in disconnections during the summer months. According to Goodson Bell, these bans are not sufficient to protect customers as they do not require utilities to automatically restore power to households that were disconnected before a heat event. This leaves vulnerable households in harsh conditions without access to electricity if they are unable to pay their bills in time.
On the other hand, Arizona Public Service has successfully avoided a spike in summertime shutoffs by implementing a date-based shutoff moratorium from June 1st to October 15th. This policy was put in place by state regulators following a tragic incident in 2018 where a 72-year-old woman died after her power was cut off due to a $51 unpaid bill. Despite this, Goodson Bell highlights that even date-based protections may not be sufficient as extreme heat events are increasingly occurring outside of the summer months.
To address these issues, Goodson Bell suggests that states should consider implementing both temperature and date-based restrictions to extend the period of protection for customers. Additionally, he recommends a complete ban on shutoffs for certain vulnerable customers, such as those with medical conditions. Sanya Carley, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania who studies utility disconnections, emphasizes the importance of adopting as many protections as possible to mitigate the widespread harms caused by utility shutoffs.
In conclusion, the findings of the report underscore the need for comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of utility customers, especially during extreme heat events. By implementing a combination of temperature and date-based restrictions, as well as specific protections for vulnerable customers, states can take significant steps towards minimizing the negative impacts of utility disconnections.
