TURN Calls on Governor Newsom & the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to Save Lives During This Unprecedented Heatwave!

July 1, 2024

California Public Utilities Commission
President Alice Busching Reynolds
Commissioner Darcie L. Houck
Commissioner John Reynolds
Commissioner Karen Douglas
Commissioner Matthew Baker
General Counsel Christine Jun Hammond
Executive Director Rachel Peterson

Dear President Reynolds, Commissioners Houck, Reynolds, Douglas, Baker, General Counsel Christine Jun Hammond, and Executive Director Rachel Peterson,

The lives of millions of California residents are endangered by the forecasted extreme and extended heat wave.

I request, on their behalf, that the CPUC take immediate action today to issue an emergency order suspending utility disconnections for nonpayment, July 1–31, and to order the immediate restoration of service for customers whose service has already been disconnected for non-payment.

This morning, Governor Newsom issued the attached press release, California prepares for dangerous heat wave ahead of Fourth of July, that leads with:

With temperatures set to exceed 110 degrees throughout much of the state this week, Governor Gavin Newsom is urging Californians to take extra precautions as they celebrate the Fourth of July. The Governor directed the Office of Emergency Services to activate its State Operations Center and move into Phase II of its Extreme Temperature Response Plan.

This is triggered by National Weather Service (NWS) predictions of excessive heat activity and moves the state into action to coordinate an all-hands response by state government.

The “extreme” threshold is a rare level of heat that lasts for multiple days, remains hot at night, and which places everyone at risk for heat-related illnesses. It also can be deadly for those without an effective way to cool down or stay hydrated. Customers who are elderly, small children, or medically vulnerable are especially at risk. Extreme heat has been the leading cause of weather-related deaths in California, as well as the rest of the U.S.

I strongly urge the Commission to join the “all-hands response by state government,” and prevent unnecessary deaths due to the lack of air conditioning tied to utility shut-offs, by issuing an emergency order to suspend utility shut-offs for non-payment, and restore service for customers who have been shut-off, for at least the month of July.

Sincerely,