Arizona Utility Agrees to Halt Power Shutoffs During Extreme Heat
Arizona Public Service (APS), the state's largest utility, has agreed to a $7 million settlement with Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to resolve a lawsuit regarding power disconnections during extreme heat. The agreement prohibits APS from cutting off electrical service for nonpayment when forecasted temperatures reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) or higher. This policy shift replaces previous rules that only protected customers between June 1 and October 15. The settlement stems partly from the 2024 death of Katherine Korman, an 82-year-old woman who died after her power was disconnected during a heatwave. Under the terms, APS will pay $2.7 million into a state consumer protection fund and allocate $3.4 million to enhance its emergency contact notification program. These funds must come from shareholder resources and cannot be passed on to ratepayers. While APS did not admit wrongdoing, stating it had followed existing regulations, the agreement aims to prevent future heat-related fatalities by ensuring vulnerable residents maintain access to cooling during dangerous weather conditions. Maric County reported a decrease in heat-related deaths recently, but risks remain significant.
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Arizona Utility Agrees to Halt Power Shutoffs During Extreme Heat
Arizona Public Service (APS), the state's largest utility, has agreed to a $7 million settlement with Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to resolve a lawsuit regarding power disconnections during extreme heat. The agreement prohibits APS from cutting off electrical service for nonpayment when forecasted temperatures reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) or higher. This policy shift replaces previous rules that only protected customers between June 1 and October 15. The settlement stems partly from the 2024 death of Katherine Korman, an 82-year-old woman who died after her power was disconnected during a heatwave. Under the terms, APS will pay $2.7 million into a state consumer protection fund and allocate $3.4 million to enhance its emergency contact notification program. These funds must come from shareholder resources and cannot be passed on to ratepayers. While APS did not admit wrongdoing, stating it had followed existing regulations, the agreement aims to prevent future heat-related fatalities by ensuring vulnerable residents maintain access to cooling during dangerous weather conditions. Maric County reported a decrease in heat-related deaths recently, but risks remain significant.
AP News