Arizona utility will not terminate power service for nonpayment during temperatures of 95 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Arizona’s largest utility, Arizona Public Service (APS), has reached a significant settlement regarding customer disconnections during extreme heat. The agreement, which amounts to million, prohibits the utility from disconnecting electrical service due to nonpayment when temperatures rise to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) or higher. This legal development comes in the wake of a harrowing incident in 2024, where an 82-year-old woman named Katherine Korman died after her power was disconnected in the midst of a heatwave.

Attorney General Kris Mayes announced the settlement, highlighting concerns around disconnection practices as a critical factor in the lawsuit. The state previously enforced a temporary prohibition on service disconnections for nonpayment between June 1 and October 15. However, this new agreement extends those protections to include high-temperature conditions, reflecting a growing recognition of the urgency to protect vulnerable residents from the dangers posed by extreme heat.

Under the terms of the settlement, APS will allocate .7 million to a state consumer protection fund dedicated to assisting residents in need. An additional .4 million will be invested in enhancing a program that allows customers to designate emergency contacts—such as family members or friends—who will receive notifications related to bill payments and potential disconnections. This initiative aims not only to improve communication but also to mitigate the risk of disconnections during critical weather conditions.

In defense of its actions, APS stated that it had made multiple attempts to contact Korman regarding her outstanding bill prior to the disconnection. The utility asserted that independent regulators had reviewed the case and deemed that APS had complied with all existing outreach and disconnection protocols.

Despite acknowledging the tragic incident, APS did not admit to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement agreement. The utility emphasized its commitment to customer safety and suggested that it has consistently complied with state regulations in its operations.

The implications of this agreement extend beyond APS and individual customers. In Maricopa County, which encompasses Phoenix, there were 430 heat-related deaths last year—a decrease from previous years—but the community remains on high alert concerning the risks associated with extreme temperatures. This ongoing issue underscores the urgent need for policies that prioritize public safety and well-being, especially for the most vulnerable segments of the population.

With this settlement, Arizona signals a shift towards stricter consumer protections and a proactive stance against the dangers of heat-related fatalities, ensuring that no resident faces power disconnection under perilous conditions.