AARP-Backed Bill Would Prevent Electricity Disconnections During
Extreme Temperatures of 95 and Above; Sent to Governor's Desk
SPRINGFIELD, Ill., May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A summer with no
air-conditioning is a harsh reality for consumers across the state finding
themselves unable to keep up with soaring utility rates and facing the
prospect of having their electricity disconnected. On Tuesday, the Illinois
State Senate moved to prevent that, unanimously passing legislation to keep
utility companies at bay during the height of summer heat. The bill is now
set to be sent to the Governor.
The legislation, House Bill 5086, sponsored by State Representative Bob
Flider (D-Decatur), and State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline), passed the
Senate 58-0, after passing the House of Representatives also unanimously
earlier this month.
The bill protects consumers from having their electricity disconnected
during extreme temperatures (days where the temperature is expected to
reach 95 degrees or above). Older people, who tend to live on fixed
incomes, are most affected by excessive heat. AARP is urging the Governor
to sign the bill into law immediately.
"AARP commends Senator Jacobs and Representative Flider for their
dedication to protect Illinois consumers faced with hard times from having
their electricity shut off during the height of summer heat," said Robert
Gallo, AARP Illinois State Director. "For older consumers, facing a summer
without air conditioning can be fatal."
Excessive heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States from
1979-2003 -- more deaths than those caused by hurricanes, lightning,
tornadoes, floods and earthquakes in the nation combined, according to data
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"As the weather begins to heat up, it is important that we make sure
consumers' utility services aren't shut off when they need them the most,"
Representative Flider said. "This bill will protect our most vulnerable
citizens, especially senior citizens, from having their air conditioning
and electricity shut off at the worst possible time."
"Keeping residents' energy on during heat emergencies in order to keep
their homes cool is both a safety and a health issue. We have all heard
horror stories of people falling victim to the overpowering heat and
humidity in the summer. This bill will help low-income residents and
seniors make it through what is predicted to be another scorching summer,"
Senator Jacobs said.
Current state law provides protections for customers from having their
electric or natural gas service disconnected for non-payment during the
winter months. However, there were no similar utility termination
protections for customers cooling their homes during the summer months.
AARP is also urging the Illinois Commerce Commission to deny proposals
from ComEd and Ameren for nearly $600 million in rate hikes and much more
in new surcharges. If approved, the increases could wipe out the billion
dollar rate relief law won by Illinois consumers last year.
SOURCE AARP Illinois
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Related links:
http://www.aarp.org
CONTACT:
David Irwin, +1-312-458-3621, or Gerardo
Cardenas, +1-312-351-0228, both of AARP Illinois
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