This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.
With the sweltering heat becoming an increasing concern in California, the state’s utilities can no longer disconnect power for delinquent bills during dangerous heat waves. This measure is crucial, as losing electricity can mean a loss of water in rural areas and a lack of cooling options in urban settings during prolonged high temperatures.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) determined over a year ago that existing protections for customers lagging in payments were inadequate when facing extreme heat. Utilities were instructed to devise enhanced protective measures.
However, when utility companies presented their updated plans in December, the CPUC found these proposals insufficient, stating they provided inadequate health protections. The May 1 deadline was missed, prompting consumer advocates to file urgent motions for action.
As California faced another heat wave, the CPUC took matters into its own hands. They voted unanimously to lower the temperature threshold for power shutoffs from 100 to 90 degrees and mandated utilities to adopt region-specific standards within six months.
Defining Extreme Heat
During the record-breaking heat wave two years ago, The Utility Reform Network urged the CPUC to reassess its extreme heat criteria, emphasizing that “heat kills more people directly than any other weather-related hazard.”
Existing regulations prohibited disconnections if temperatures were forecasted to exceed 100 degrees within 72 hours. Yet, a single threshold failed to consider the varied experiences of heat across California’s diverse regions.
While the CPUC didn’t treat this as an emergency, it directed utilities to work with stakeholders to revise the 100-degree standard. Utilities suggested using the CalHeatScore tool, which evaluates heat impacts by ZIP code considering factors like cooling center availability and demographics.
Utilities proposed setting the disconnection limit at CalHeatScore Level 3 and retaining the 100-degree benchmark as a fallback. Advocates, however, pushed for a more inclusive safety net, advocating for Level 2 and a 90-degree threshold.
Utilities claimed they couldn’t meet deadlines due to CalHeatScore’s incomplete system. Advocates challenged this, arguing there was insufficient justification for maintaining the 100-degree cutoff.
By May, with utilities lagging, consumer advocacy groups urged the CPUC to intervene.
Advocates Prevail
The CPUC sided with advocates, rejecting utilities’ proposals as unchanged from previous practices. It highlighted that 41 counties already had extreme heat thresholds below 100 degrees.
While 90-degree days might be common in places like Bakersfield, they pose risks in coastal or mountainous areas where fewer homes have air conditioning. For example, San Francisco considers temperatures above 85 degrees extreme, while Del Norte County defines it as anything over 76.8 degrees.
The CPUC emphasized the need for a more protective temperature threshold to safeguard residents unaccustomed to high temperatures.
Utilities to Comply
Despite initially advocating for narrower protections, utilities now stress their compliance with the new standards. Last December, major utilities argued that more extensive protections would increase unpaid balances without significant health benefits, labeling the 90-degree threshold as “overbroad.”
These protections apply only to disconnections for non-payment and do not prevent outages from equipment failures or emergencies. Advocates argue the changes are vital, as electricity loss can lead to severe consequences, like eviction or child custody issues.
All three utilities expressed readiness to comply with the CPUC’s new regulations. Edison noted the strengthened protections, while SDG&E supported the additional safeguards. PG&E emphasized disconnection as a last resort after all outreach efforts.
The CPUC’s Public Advocates Office pushed for stronger protections, with Director Linda Serizawa acknowledging the vote’s importance in providing timely consumer protection.
CalMatters is a nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization bringing Californians stories that probe, explain and explore solutions to quality of life issues while holding our leaders accountable.
Original Story at stocktonia.org