Amid heat wave, Virginians now have new protections from power shut-offs 

A blistering summer heat wave has engulfed much of Virginia, and other parts of the nation. High temperatures and humidity have led to dangerous conditions that have caused several deaths and hundreds of heat-related illnesses in the commonwealth.

The heat also means higher electric bills for everyone — including people who could hardly keep up with payments before the heat wave started.

Fortunately, important protections preventing utilities from disconnecting customers during extreme weather are now in place, thanks to a Virginia law that came into effect on July 1. The legislation was introduced by Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg, and Del. Irene Shin, D-Herndon.

That law prohibits Virginia electric, water, and gas utilities from shutting off service when temperatures are below freezing or above 92°F, during a state of emergency declared by the governor in response to a public health emergency, or on Fridays, weekends, state holidays or the day before a state holiday.

“Right now we are seeing the overlap of extreme heat and unnecessarily high utility rates, and just because someone is having trouble paying a bill shouldn’t mean that their life is put into jeopardy,” says Matt Allenbaugh, Virginia campaign coordinator for Appalachian Voices, the nonprofit organization that produces this publication. “We applaud Sen. Aird and Del. Shin for championing these bills and providing safety and dignity to folks across Virginia.”

Advocates have been trying to pass these protections for years. When this campaign started, Virginia was one of only seven states to provide no protections from disconnections during extreme weather events.

“This legislation is long overdue,” says Kajsa Foskey of the Virginia Poverty Law Center. “As utility costs continue to increase, more and more customers are at risk of losing access to essential utilities because they can’t afford to pay. With the increased frequency of extreme temperatures, shutting people off cannot be the answer, especially when consequences can be deadly.”

Appalachian Power and Dominion also offer programs to help customers hit by unusually large bills.

“When it’s this hot for this long, we know the equipment customers use to stay cool is running harder and longer,” says Teresa Hall, media contact for Appalachian Power. “Generally, customers see higher bills in the winter, but with the length of this heat wave, customers need to be bracing for higher bills.”

Hall pointed to a number of payment assistance programs offered by the utility, including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, offered through the federal government. Applications are open through Aug. 15. Dominion also offers a number of programs for its customers.

Customers struggling during this heat wave can also apply for cooling assistance through the Virginia Department of Social Services each summer from June 15 through Aug. 15. Available assistance can include window air conditioning units, repair or replacement of central air conditioning and heat pumps, as well as help with electric bills and security deposits.

In addition, Appalachian Power and Dominion Energy customers earning below 150% of the federal poverty level can access a Percentage of Income Payment Program. This program caps monthly utility bills at 10% of income for households with electric heat and 6% of income for households with other heating sources. Appalachian Power’s Percentage of Income Payment Program went into effect on July 1.

Unfortunately, the 21% of Virginia residents served by electric cooperatives and municipal utilities do not have access to a Percentage of Income Payment Program. State law would need to be changed to expand the program beyond Appalachian Power and Dominion.