Home / Crime and Justice / Arizona Utility Settles Lawsuit Over Heatwave Shutoffs
Arizona Utility Settles Lawsuit Over Heatwave Shutoffs
16 Apr
Summary
- Utility won't cut power in extreme heat above 95°F.
- Settlement follows death of an 82-year-old woman.
- APS pays $7 million, including consumer protection funds.
Arizona Public Service (APS) has reached a $7 million settlement, agreeing to cease electrical disconnections for nonpayment during temperatures of 95°F (35°C) or higher. This crucial policy change comes after a lawsuit, partly initiated by the 2024 death of an 82-year-old woman, Katherine Korman.
Korman's power was disconnected in May 2024 due to nonpayment, on a day when temperatures reached approximately 99°F (37°C). She was discovered deceased six days later. The settlement mandates APS to pay $2.7 million to a state consumer protection fund and an additional $3.4 million to enhance a program that facilitates emergency contact notifications to prevent shutoffs.
Attorney General Kris Mayes stated that no Arizonan should face power disconnection risks due to inability to afford bills, especially in dangerous heat. While APS acknowledged no wrongdoing, asserting compliance with existing regulations, the settlement introduces a critical safeguard: power will remain on during dangerous heat, irrespective of calendar dates.
