Lawmakers hear pitch for bill to bar utility shutoffs during extreme heat

Representative Kate McCann presented legislation (H.88) that would bar utilities from disconnecting essential services during periods of extreme heat and would create year‑round protections for customers who cannot pay. She told the House Energy and Digital Infrastructure Committee the measure aims to “prevent utility shutoffs during heat waves and ensure continued access to those essential services during periods of extreme heat.”

The bill’s sponsor said the proposal was developed with support from the Center for Energy, Poverty, and Climate and cited a National Consumer Law Center report on extreme heat and utility consumers. McCann said only 19 states had mandatory limits on summer disconnections as of July 1, 2023, and called H.88 a way to extend protections to Vermonters “regardless of a nonpayment issue.”

Committee members pressed for more Vermont‑specific data and for detail on implementation. Representative Howland asked, “What statistics for Vermont do you have to show a need for this bill?” McCann replied the bill is proactive and pointed to 2023 being the hottest year on record and to national data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showing energy insecurity among lower‑income households and certain demographic groups. Representative Kleffner asked how “extreme heat” would be defined; McCann said the bill text specifies a 92°F threshold for a defined period.

Members also asked how utilities would be paid when service continues despite nonpayment. On that point McCann said, “Don't have a good answer for that…to be explored,” and committee members noted the question would need follow‑up with utilities or the Public Utility Commission. Representatives asked whether the Public Utility Commission or utilities had been consulted; McCann said there had been “some back and forth” and she would follow up with the committee.

The pitch session did not include committee votes. McCann said existing Vermont rules protect consumers from disconnection during extreme cold (citing an existing PUC disconnection provision she referenced as “3.3”) but that similar protections for heat do not exist. The committee chair said the session was introductory and that the committee would decide later whether to take additional testimony or formal action on H.88.

The presentation included several quantitative points drawn from national sources: the sponsor cited 19 states with summer shutoff protections (as of 07/01/2023), a 92°F threshold appearing in similar laws, and EIA data showing nearly 30% of the U.S. population faces unaffordability of essential utility services. The sponsor and members discussed demographic groups named in national data as more likely to experience energy insecurity — lower‑income households, older adults, households with children, renters, and people identifying as Black or Hispanic/Latino.

Because this was a pitch session, the committee did not make a formal recommendation; members requested follow‑up information on Vermont‑specific incidence, utility and PUC positions, and models for funding continued service when customers cannot pay.