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Avangrid seeks to end summer-only suspension of gas disconnects; advocates and physicians raise health concerns
Summary
Avangrid proposed aligning gas practices with affiliates by removing suspension of gas disconnects on extreme heat days, arguing gas loss less often deprives cooling; advocates, disability and public‑health commenters disputed that gas disconnects are lower risk and urged protections for vulnerable residents.
Avangrid asked PURA to remove the policy of suspending gas disconnections on hot‑weather days, arguing that gas service does not present the same immediate cooling risk as electric service and that suspending disconnects compounds backlogs. A company presenter said the change would align Connecticut practice with affiliates and other jurisdictions.
Stakeholders and public‑health commenters pushed back. Disability and consumer advocates said gas is needed for hot water, cooking and other household functions and that disconnections during extreme temperatures can still have grave health impacts for vulnerable people. A public‑health physician noted extreme heat can exacerbate hygiene and illness risks and said suspending disconnects during heat events provides important protection. Avangrid said it was not seeking to change winter protections and that any policy change would be considered with public‑safety concerns in mind; no immediate policy decision was made and PURA will take comments and filings on the proposal.
