Providing for utility shutoff protections during periods of extreme heat
Summary
H3972 would create statewide utility shutoff protections during periods of extreme heat and the summer cooling season. The bill prohibits cities, towns, water districts, municipal lighting plants, electric companies, and water companies from refusing to restore or intentionally shutting off service to certain residential customers who cannot pay overdue charges because of financial hardship, when the service is needed for temperature control or to protect residents and property from weather or climate conditions. The protected period runs from May 15 through September 30, and also applies whenever the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning or advisory.
The bill also requires the Department of Public Utilities to collect and publish annual reports on existing shutoff-protection and assistance-related information, and to run an annual public information campaign about summer shutoff protections and payment assistance programs. That outreach must include accessible, multilingual, web-based materials and both virtual and in-person statewide outreach targeted to low- and moderate-income communities. The department must also collect and report data on outreach activities, including languages used, event attendance, and the number of people who enroll in arrearage management plans after the campaign.
Impact
The bill would amend multiple sections of the General Laws, including chapters 25, 40, 164, and 165, to add heat-related utility shutoff restrictions and reporting requirements. It would impose monthly reporting obligations on municipal and private water and electric providers and authorize the Department of Public Utilities to adopt regulations establishing daily fines for violations. In practical terms, the bill would limit when utilities can terminate service for nonpayment during hot weather and would expand state oversight, data collection, and consumer outreach around shutoff protections and payment assistance.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript or vote history, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to gauge formal support or opposition. Based on the bill’s subject matter and structure, it appears aimed at consumer protection and public health during extreme heat, with a focus on preventing dangerous loss of water and electricity for financially distressed households. The filing by multiple legislators suggests at least some sponsorship support, but the broader sentiment in the legislative process is not available from the materials provided.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are likely to be the scope of the shutoff ban, the financial and operational burden on utilities and municipal providers, and the enforcement mechanism. Utilities and local providers may object to being required to continue service without payment during peak summer periods and to submit monthly reports on households that would otherwise lose service, estimated costs, and geographic data. Another possible issue is the breadth of the protections, which apply to both municipal and private providers and are triggered by either a fixed seasonal window or an excessive heat warning/advisory, leaving limited discretion for shutoffs tied to financial hardship.
Protects residential customers from utility service shutoffs due to non-payment during summer and winter periods of extreme heat or cold; allows such utility services to be discontinued for non-payment outside such periods; requires an annual report to be submitted to the governor and legislature and posted publicly online.