As heat waves become more intense and last longer due to climate change, setting rules around when utilities can shut off power for people who don’t pay their utility bills is one of the top concerns for consumer advocates and state regulators, reports CalMatters’ Alejandro Lazo.
On Thursday the California Public Utilities Commission voted to decrease the temperature at which utilities are barred from shutting off power to delinquent customers — from 100 to 90 degrees. The move comes after advocates pushed for a wider safety net, partly, out of concern for residents in rural areas, where losing power could also mean losing water and ways to cool down.
The decision rejects what utilities wanted, which was a higher cutoff threshold involving CalHeatScore — a newly created state tool that scores heat by ZIP code — and keeping the 100-degree default when the index wasn’t available.
Two California laws also underscore the growing concern of sweltering temperatures on students and educators, write CalMatters’ Alejandra Reyes-Velarde and Ana B. Ibarra.
Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this week signed a law requiring the state’s board of education to consider educating students about heat illness and its symptoms. Though the law has no mandates, it “promotes awareness and prevention” and gives students “the knowledge to protect themselves,” said Assemblymember Tom Lackey, a Palmdale Republican and bill author.
Another law, passed in 2024, requires schools to draft rules for outdoor activities when there are heat waves. The law had a key deadline this month, which required schools to have heat-safety plans — such as specifying safe indoor activities as alternatives to outdoor ones — ready by July 1.
But critics of the legislation say neither requires the state to spend money nor do much to make schools safer, like updating HVAC systems and shade structures.
Read more about how extreme heat affects utility shutoffs and classrooms.
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Other Stories You Should Know
CalMatters marks 11-year anniversary
From CalMatters’ Editor in Chief Kristen Go:
Tomorrow marks 11 years since CalMatters started publishing.
Our mission has been unwavering: To help all Californians access clear, trusted information in the moments they need it, when they vote, when they share and when they show up.
Our reporting helps someone understand what a ballot measure would really do. It helps a reader follow what their elected officials promised, how they voted and what happened next. It helps a parent, student, worker or neighbor understand how public decisions affect their life.
Our newsroom is privileged to bring you and everyone in California clear information every election and every day.
And our journalists work tirelessly to make that happen: Reviewing the California budget line by line, pushing to unlock public records, digging through massive datasets, obsessing over every detail of our voter guide, and translating complicated policy into clear news you can use.
We can do this thanks to the members who support our nonprofit and independent newsroom with donations.
Their generous support helps all Californians vote with confidence, ask better questions, follow the facts, share information they trust and hold the powerful accountable.
And right now, your gift can have double the impact, thanks to a match from a generous CalMatters contributor and board member.
Republicans’ money advantage
Democrats were successful in gerrymandering the state so that districts lean more blue for the November election. But when it comes to campaign cash, Republicans are leading the race, reports CalMatters’ Maya C. Miller.
After redistricting, some congressional districts that were solidly Republican are now considered flippable or must-wins for Democrats in order to win control of the U.S. House. For the state’s two most competitive districts, a costly June primary puts Democratic candidates at a financial disadvantage compared to their GOP competitors.
In the Central Valley, for example, Republican Rep. David Valadao has more than $3.3 million in cash on hand. His Democratic opponent, progressive newcomer Randy Villegas, only has about $571,000 after fending off a Democratic opponent. Villegas’ campaign spent more than $1.45 million in the two months leading up to that primary, while Valadao’s camp spent less than $280,000.
California Voices
A state bill intended to reduce construction costs for affordable housing would also reduce access to electric vehicle charging for those who need affordable transportation the most, writes Michelle Pierce, an electric vehicle advocate and consultant who founded EV Nirvana.
Other things worth your time:
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The Army veteran killed outside his Escondido ‘Trump house’// The New York Times (gift)
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9th Circuit upholds CA switchblade ban // The Mercury News (gift)
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Katie Porter, book influencer // SFGate (free)
