118 HR 9122 IH: Preventing Unnecessary Deaths During Life-Threatening Events Act U.S. House of Representatives 2024-07-24 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 9122IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 24, 2024Ms. DelBene (for herself and Ms. Blunt Rochester) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 so that procedures relating to termination of electric service provide that such service may not be terminated during any extreme heat weather event or extreme cold weather event, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Preventing Unnecessary Deaths During Life-Threatening Events Act.

2.

Extreme heat and extreme cold weather events

Section 115(g) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2625(g)) is amended— (1)by inserting , subject to paragraph (4) after nonregulated electric utility which provide that; (2)in paragraph (2)— (A)by inserting electric service may not be terminated before during any period; (B)by striking installments, and inserting installments.; (C)by striking such service may not be terminated.; and (D)by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively; (3)by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; (4)by striking The procedures for termination of service and inserting the following: (1)

In general

The procedures for termination of service; and (5)by striking Such procedures shall take into account the need to include reasonable provisions for elderly and handicapped consumers. and inserting the following: (2)

Elderly consumers and consumers with disabilities

Procedures described in paragraph (1) shall take into account the need to include reasonable provisions for elderly consumers and consumers with disabilities. (3)

Extreme weather events

For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), any period of an extreme heat weather event or extreme cold weather event, as determined by the State regulatory authority (with respect to an electric utility for which it has ratemaking authority) or the nonregulated electric utility, shall be considered to be a period when termination of service to an electric consumer would be especially dangerous to health. (4)

Limitation

Procedures described in paragraph (1) may authorize temporary suspension of electric service to specific areas as required for the safe operation and maintenance of the infrastructure of the applicable electric utility, including to reduce the risk of fires caused by such infrastructure. (5)

Updated procedures

Procedures described in paragraph (1) shall be updated, as necessary, by the State regulatory authority (with respect to electric utilities for which it has ratemaking authority) or by the nonregulated electric utility at least once every 10 years, including to reflect the best available science with respect to changing climate conditions..