Emergency order required to prevent utility shutoffs in extreme summer heat, OPC tells Maryland regulators
BALTIMORE – State utility regulators should take immediate action to prevent utilities from terminating critical utility services this summer because of the serious health threats of extreme heat, the Office of People’s Counsel said in an emergency petition filed today with the Maryland Public Service Commission.
OPC’s petition asks for an order barring utility terminations through September 15 or, alternatively, placing strict limits on when a utility may terminate a customer’s service. The Commission should also temporarily waive fees and deposits for customers who have had their power terminated but wish to reconnect service this summer.
“Extreme heat poses immediate risks to utility customers facing terminations,” said Maryland People’s Counsel David S. Lapp. “Summer hasn’t even started yet, but Maryland is facing triple-digit heat indexes. Preventing terminations is vital to protect the health of the most vulnerable, including children, older adults, and low-income households that are disproportionately affected by extreme heat because of poor housing conditions and rising utility rates.”
Current rules do not adequately protect Maryland households against shutoffs during extreme heat, OPC’s petition explains. Current standards rely on temperatures only—without accounting for humidity—and only consider temperatures exceeding 95 degrees over a 72-hour period. The heat index, which accounts for humidity, better reflects the impact of heat on human health, and the National Weather Service has warned that a heat index of over 90 degrees or above poses serious health risks.
The Maryland Department of Health already has reported one heat-related death this year, before summer has officially started. Expected record-breaking temperatures this summer make additional protections more crucial than ever, OPC’s filing states, with warnings of “extreme” heat already issued for this week.
The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel is an independent state agency that represents Maryland’s residential consumers of electric, natural gas, telecommunications, private water and certain transportation matters before the Public Service Commission, federal regulatory agencies and the courts.
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