Extreme Heat Disconnection Protections

Each summer, heatwaves threaten the health and safety of our communities. Being disconnected from power during or before a heatwave can be particularly dangerous for people with medical conditions, seniors, and children. For families already struggling to keep the lights on, shutoffs from past-due bills can also have a cascading impact.

Thankfully, Oregonians are protected from disconnection for past-due bills during certain extreme heat events. These protections are designed to keep Oregonians connected to life-saving cooling devices during heatwaves and other extreme weather events.

Extreme Summer Weather: Disconnection Limits & Added Protections

Losing access to heating, cooling, and other essential services during extreme weather can be life-threatening. Now, customers of Oregon’s for-profit utilities have stronger permanent protections.

Protections: Disconnections for non-payment are limited during extreme heat and very poor air quality events.

Learn More: CUB Blog - Extreme Summer Weather Disconnection Protections

You Need to Call Your Utility to Regain Service in Extreme Weather

Extreme weather protections are available for all customers. If you have been disconnected because of past-due bills ahead of an extreme weather event, you must call your utility company to get gas or power restored during the protected times. Utilities will not reconnect you automatically. Income-qualified customers and medical certificate customers are not required to pay up-front costs to reconnect in these instances.

Hot Weather Protections

Year-Round Heat Protections
Hot-weather protections apply when an extreme heat warning, extreme heat watch, or heat advisory is issued, regardless of the time of year. These protections only apply to electric utilities (PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power).

All Electric Residential Customers:

• No disconnections 24 hours before a hot weather event, during the event, and 48 hours after.

Electric Bill Discount Program Participants & Medical Certificate Holders:

• No disconnections 24 hours before a winter weather event, during the event, and 48 hours after.
• No upfront costs for reconnection for anyone who has been disconnected up to seven days before the event. Past due balances and applicable reconnection fees will be applied later.

We need to keep each other safe and informed during extreme summer weather. Share these protections with your community to stay safe!

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