Rising Power Cuts Impact More Households

Rapid Summary

• Electric utilities in the U.S. are increasingly shutting off power to households, especially notable during last year’s hot summer.
• Over 662,000 disconnections occurred between January and September 2024 from six major utilities, a 20% increase from the previous year.
• Shutoffs pose serious threats to health and daily life by cutting off essential services like medical equipment and food storage.
• States are urged to enact shutoff bans during extreme heat and control utility rate hikes. Currently, only a patchwork of data on shutoffs exists nationwide.
• utilities such as Georgia Power and Duke Energy saw notable increases in disconnections,while others like PG&E showed steady growth since 2022.
• The utilities earned $10 billion in profits during this period,highlighting concerns over their business practices towards low-income customers.
• Efforts are ongoing to prevent utility cutoffs; certain states have temperature or date-based bans on power shutoffs.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Utility disconnects highlight a critical infrastructure challenge that parallels global issues related to energy security and affordability. The reliance on dated business models that strain low-income households poses ethical concerns about equitable access to essential services.For India, where regions experience extreme weather conditions similar to those described in the U.S., this trend underscores the necessity for robust regulatory frameworks that protect consumers while promoting sustainable energy practices.

Moreover, as climate change intensifies globally frequenting heatwaves or cold spells, examining international approaches—like expanding renewable infrastructure or implementing flexible payment plans—could offer valuable insights into improving India’s energy justice landscape.

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!Digital collage of a Black hand turning off a light switch