Air Quality Disconnection Protection and Municipalization

AB 24 expands utility disconnection protections to safeguard California ratepayers during periods of unhealthy air quality. Under this bill, electricity and gas services cannot be shut off when air quality is classified as "unhealthy for sensitive groups" or worse, ensuring residents can rely on filtration, heating, and cooling systems to stay safe indoors. Additionally, customers who have already been disconnected will be temporarily reconnected during the air quality warning and for three days afterward, allowing them time to set up a repayment plan. By aligning air quality protections with existing temperature-based shutoff rules, AB 24 prioritizes public health and ensures vulnerable communities are not left without essential utilities during hazardous conditions.