# What This Bill Actually Does

This bill prevents electric companies from cutting off your power during extreme heat waves and extreme cold snaps. The basic idea is simple: losing electricity during dangerously hot or cold weather can literally kill people, so utility companies shouldn't be allowed to shut off service to customers during these emergencies, even if they haven't paid their bills.

Right now, electric utilities can disconnect your power if you fall behind on payments, and there's limited protection against this happening at dangerous times. This bill changes that by requiring utilities to treat extreme weather events the same way they currently treat winter months in some states—as periods when cutting off electricity is too risky. So if your state experiences a heat wave with temperatures that pose a serious health threat, or a dangerous cold snap, the power company can't disconnect you during that time, regardless of whether you owe money. This protects vulnerable people like elderly folks and those with disabilities who are especially at risk from temperature extremes.

The bill does include one important exception: utility companies can still temporarily shut off power to specific neighborhoods if they need to do maintenance work or prevent fires caused by their equipment. This allows them to keep their electrical infrastructure safe and functioning. The bill also requires that states and utility companies update their rules every ten years to account for changing climate conditions, since extreme weather patterns are shifting over time.

Preventing Unnecessary Deaths During Life-Threatening Events Act

DelBene, Suzan K.

Preventing Unnecessary Deaths During Life-Threatening Events Act This bill modifies the procedures for terminating electric service under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978; utilities may not terminate electricity during an extreme heat weather event or extreme cold weather event.