Share Your Extreme Heat Story With CUB

Posted on July 18, 2024 by Cassie Allen
Tags, Energy, General Interest

Climate change is making Oregon’s summers hotter, drier, and longer. More frequent heat waves, or periods of intense hot weather, come with hotter temperatures. Everyone deserves to stay cool and safe during the summer, but not everyone can access air conditioning or other cooling devices.

CUB is working hard to ensure extreme temperatures don’t mean extreme bills. We are also pushing for stronger consumer protections so everyone can maintain life-saving electricity during extreme weather.

Get Involved: Share your story about the most recent heatwave to help with this advocacy!

Electricity is Necessary as Oregonians Endure Extreme Heat

Our summers are getting hotter. Just a few decades ago, it was rare for Oregon temperatures to break 90 degrees for more than a few days a year. With new record highs come new challenges for Oregonians. Having air conditioning is becoming a necessity for many people. We also see higher electricity usage each summer while energy rates have increased.

2024 Heat Wave

Beginning July 4th, households across the state experienced the first heat wave of the summer as temperatures soared to the high 90s and even 100s. Portland International Airport reported a high of 104 degrees. In Salem and Eugene, temperatures hit 106 and Hermiston reached a record-breaking 110 degrees, shattering the daily record high of 106 set in 1968.

As our climate changes, Oregonians need help keeping up with rising temperatures, especially households without access to air conditioning. Prolonged heat exposure has deadly consequences. Sadly, 16 deaths have been reported by the Oregon State Medical Examiner due to possible heat exposure from the recent heat wave.

Expanding Access to Cooling Devices

CUB knows that heat waves are a serious issue impacting Oregonians. After a deadly heat wave in 2021 left close to 100 people dead, state and local governments across Oregon have made it a priority to expand access to air conditioners. CUB helped pass the Emergency Heat Relief Bill (SB 1536) in 2022 to provide vulnerable populations access to air conditioners, air filters, and cooling centers during extreme heat.

After the passage of the Emergency Heat Relied Bill, low-income Oregonians have access to free AC units and air filters. The Oregon Health Authority’s Air Conditioner and Air Filter Program can help you or someone you care about receive a free AC unit. To qualify, Oregon residents must not already own an air conditioner and be at risk for a heat-related illness. Additionally, Oregonians must have received medical assistance from the Oregon Health Plan, the Oregon Department of Human Services, or Medicare in the last twelve months.

Preventing Disconnections During A Heat Wave

It’s crucial to the health and safety of all Oregonians that people’s power isn’t shut off during heat waves. CUB wants to expand policies that limit and reduce shut-offs and protect customers during heat waves. In the words of Bob Jenks, CUB’s Executive Director, “Too many people are trying to survive too many hot days without power.”

Everyone needs to stay cool and safe during a heat wave. That’s why Oregon’s utilities aren’t allowed to shut off people’s power due to nonpayment while there’s a heat advisory in place. But there are exceptions to the law that still cause people to go without power during extreme heat.

Utilities are legally required to keep providing energy service on a Friday, weekend, or holiday. If a heat wave is forecasted, utilities can’t disconnect service for that day. In addition, if a customer was disconnected 72 hours before the advisory, the customer may request to have their power turned back on due to the severe weather event.

“We need changes to these rules to ensure that utilities are the ones taking the initiative to reconnect to these people in these particular circumstances and that the burden is not falling on customers who have already experienced lots of difficult choices leading up to a disconnection — and are going to face a lot of difficulties following a disconnection, depending how long they’ve been shut off for.”
- Sarah Wochele

But customers are falling through the cracks. Sarah Wochele, CUB’s Policy Associate, recently spoke to OPB about the issue of nonpayment disconnections during a heat wave. In the article, Sarah points out that “if [a customer] was disconnected on Monday or Tuesday of last week, there is nothing in the rules that says that a utility has to automatically reconnect [them] once a severe weather moratorium hits.”

Share Your Heat Wave Story

During heat waves, people are at risk of heat exhaustion, stroke, or even death. CUB is concerned about how Oregonians across the state are being impacted by extreme heat. Have you or someone you care about been affected by a heat wave? CUB wants to hear from you!

We’re asking Oregonians to share their extreme heat story with CUB. Sharing your story helps us better advocate for Oregon utility customers. We will share these stories with regulators in upcoming cases to ensure that the human impacts of extreme heat are made a priority.

Share Your Heat Wave Story Today!

As energy costs have continued to rise over the past few years, we know people are struggling. Especially during extreme weather, everyone needs access to affordable energy! With utility companies asking to raise rates even more next year, we need to be loud about how the impacts of high energy bills affect everyday Oregonians.

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