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Senate committee advances bill blocking residential utility shutoffs during extreme heat or cold
Summary
The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee advanced S.120A to third reading after members agreed the measure would prevent utilities from disconnecting service during National Weather Service forecasts above 90°F or below 32°F; the chair said customers remain responsible for arrears.
Stacy McCormick corporate, chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, said the committee would consider S.120A, which would prohibit termination of residential utility service when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. "We're just simply saying don't cut them off when we're having an extreme extreme weather emergency," the chair said.
Supporters framed the bill as a narrowly targeted safeguard for periods of extreme heat or cold, not a permanent forgiveness of debts. Senator Wolczyk pressed who would bear the cost while customers in arrears continued using service; the chair replied that the bill "does not indemnify anybody against their arrears" and clarified it prevents disconnection during the forecasted period but does not erase bills owed.
Committee discussion also confirmed the bill relies on the National Weather Service forecast as the trigger. A staff member noted the forecast mechanism used in the bill is the NWS promulgated forecast. Members asked about enforcement and errors in forecasting; the chair said utilities generally avoid arbitrary shutoffs and the bill would create safeguards for emergencies.
The committee moved S.120A forward for further consideration; the measure advanced to third reading in committee action recorded at the meeting. The committee did not adopt a provision in the text that would shift arrears to other customers; the chair and sponsors emphasized that existing billing and collection processes remain in place.
