Policy Solution
Utility shut-off restrictions
Mandate
Summary
Governments can ban utility disconnects for nonpayment during heat emergencies. Providing low-income families access to air conditioning and other utilities during high temperatures can save lives.
Implementation
Mandate that utility companies cannot shut-off essential utilities for nonpayment during an extreme heat event.
Considerations for Use
Restrictions should be clearly defined by temperature thresholds. Eligibility can be determined through income requirements, certain medical conditions, or other socioeconomic factors. Shut-off restrictions should be accompanied by community education on ways to conserve energy.
Overview
Climate:
Cold, Hot/Dry, Hot/Humid, TemperatePolicy Levers:
MandateMandates are government regulations that require stakeholders to meet standards through building codes, ordinances, zoning policies, or other regulatory tools.Trigger Points:
No-regrets actions (low cost/low effort but substantial benefit)Interventions that are relatively low-cost and low effort (in terms of requisite dependencies) but have substantial environmental and/or social benefits.Intervention Types:
Planning/PolicySectors:
Informal Settlements, Public Works
Case Studies
Impact
Target Beneficiaries:
Heat-vulnerable communities, ResidentsPhase of Impact:
Emergency response and managementMetrics:
Number of families participating in program
Implementation
Intervention Scale:
City, State/ProvinceAuthority and Governance:
City government, State/provincial governmentImplementation Timeline:
Short-term (1-2 Years)Implementation Stakeholders:
City government, Industry, State/provincial governmentFunding Sources:
Private investmentCapacity to Act:
High, MediumBenefits
Cost-Benefit:
LowPublic Good:
MediumGHG Reduction:
N/ACo-benefits (Climate/Environmental):
N/ACo-benefits (Social/Economic):
Save on utilities