New utility disconnection protections in 2026 as we step into summer: what you should know about your rights during extreme weather!
Background:
HB 2475 (the Energy Affordability Act) was passed in 2020 to direct the Oregon Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to address energy burdens amongst low income and environmental justice communities. Over the last several years, OJTA in partnership with Energy Justice Advocates, community action agencies, and the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) have been advocating for improved protections for utility customers facing disconnections in front of the PUC.
Last December, in light of the loss of federal funding, SNAP, and energy assistance during the government shutdown, we advocated for and secured a temporary 30 day disconnection moratorium through March 1st, 2026, for any customer of an investor-owned utility that self-attested to economic hardship (see Order 25-544). Many utilities also took some voluntary action prior to that. Around the same time, the PUC issued Order 25-543 which gave permanent disconnection protections under specific circumstances such as extreme weather. These rules apply to Oregon’s for-profit utilities: PGE, Pacific Power, Idaho Power, NW Natural, Cascade, and Avista.
As we head into what is already looking like an extremely hot and smokey summer, we want to highlight some summer protections you have during extreme weather.
Extreme Weather: Disconnection Limits & Added Protections
We know that losing access to heating, cooling, and more in extreme weather can be life-threatening- especially for frontline communities hit hardest by the climate crisis. Now, the new permanent Division 21 rules prohibit utility disconnections for non- payment on Fridays and weekends, recognized state and federal holidays, and during extreme heat, extreme cold and very poor air quality.
Extreme weather protections are available for all customers. However, if you have been disconnected because of past due bills ahead of an extreme weather event, you must still 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 reconnection fees in these instances.
Hot Weather Protections
Due to climate change, Oregon is seeing hotter and hotter summers. Now, year round hot-weather protections apply when there is an extreme heat warning, extreme heat watch, or heat advisory issued, no matter the time of year. Just as recently as the first weekend in May there was a heat advisory in Multnomah County. These protections only apply to electric utilities (PGE, Pacific Power, and Idaho Power).
Under the permanent Div. 21 rules, all electric residential customers may not be disconnected 24 hours before a hot weather event, during the event, and 48 hours after. Bill discount program participants & medical certificate holders may not be disconnected 24 hours before a hot weather event, during the event, and 48 hours after. There’s an added protection for bill discount program participants & medical certificate holders where utilities are prohibited from collecting up-front reconnection fees for anyone who has been disconnected up to seven days before the event. Past due balances and applicable reconnection fees will be applied later.
Air Quality (Smoke) Protections
Air quality protections apply year-round any time the Air Quality Index (AQI) is forecasted to be at or above 100. Residential customers are prohibited from being disconnected during the air quality event and 48 hours after. Bill discount program participants & medical certificate holders are prohibited from being disconnected during the air quality event, and 48 hours after. They are not required to pay up-front costs for reconnection if they have been disconnected up to seven days before the event. Past due balances and applicable reconnection fees will be applied later.
Wildfire Evacuation Protections
While wildfires are more and more present every summer the Div. 21 rules provide for protections that apply during Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation notices issued in a customer’s area. These protections apply to all residential customers regardless of low income and medical certificate status. Disconnections are prohibited for 48 hours after wildfire evacuation notices have been lifted, and up-front reconnection fees are prohibited for anyone who has been disconnected up to seven days before the event. Past due balances and applicable reconnection fees will be applied later.
Cold Weather Protections
Even though we are heading into the summer there are cold-weather disconnection protections, they apply from November 1 - April 30 when temperatures are forecasted to hit or go below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or there is a forecasted severe winter storm warning. For all residential customers, disconnections are prohibited 24 hours before a winter weather event, during the event, and 48 hours after the event ends. For bill discount program participants & medical certificate holders, disconnections are prohibited 24 hours before a winter weather event, during the event, and 48 hours after the event. .Upfront reconnection fees are also prohibited for remote reconnections for anyone who has been disconnected up to seven days before the event. Past due balances and applicable reconnection fees will be applied later.
Off-season cold-weather protections apply May 1 - October 31 when there are forecasted low temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below and high temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Protections also apply when forecasted weather conditions pose a threat to life or property. For all residential customers, there should be no disconnections during the event and for 48 hours after the event. For bill discount program participants & medical certificate holders, disconnections are prohibited during the event and 48 hours after the event. Utilities are prohibited from collecting upfront reconnection fees from anyone who has been disconnected up to seven days before the event. Past due balances and applicable reconnection fees will be applied later.
While this blog focused on extreme weather protections, Div. 21’s rules also made improvements to other things such as identification and medical certificate requirements. You can read the Citizen Utility Boards full blog here for additional details.
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