California Commission Lowers Power Shutoff Threshold to 90 Degrees After Rejecting Utility Proposal

The California Public Utilities Commission voted 4-0 on Thursday to require utilities to stop shutting off power to customers behind on bills once temperatures reach 90 degrees, down from the prior 100-degree threshold. The commission rejected a December proposal from the state's largest utilities that would have set the cutoff at Level 3 on the CalHeatScore index with a 100-degree backstop.

Regulators found the plan offered no meaningful change from prior practice after the companies missed a May 1 deadline to develop better safeguards.

Consumer advocates had filed protests and emergency motions seeking a Level 2 threshold and 90-degree backup. The commission had concluded more than a year earlier that existing protections were insufficient. The new rules apply only to shutoffs for unpaid bills.

They do not affect outages from equipment failures, wildfire prevention, or other emergencies. Extreme heat is already defined below 100 degrees in 41 of California's 58 counties, including 85 degrees in San Francisco and 76.8 degrees in Del Norte County. A region-specific standard is expected within six months.

Director Linda Serizawa of the commission's independent Public Advocates Office said the vote would provide consumers with protection that takes effect when they need it most. PG&E, Edison, and SDG&E stated they are prepared to comply with the updated policies.