Bill Overview
Title: Preventing Unnecessary Deaths During Life-Threatening Events Act
Description: This bill modifies the procedures for terminating electric service under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978; utilities may not terminate electricity during an extreme heat weather event or extreme cold weather event.
Sponsors: Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1]
Target Audience
Population: people living in regions experiencing extreme heat or cold
Estimated Size: 70000000
- The bill directly impacts individuals who rely on electricity for survival during extreme weather conditions.
- People who live in areas frequently experiencing extreme weather will be more affected, as losing electricity can be life-threatening in such environments.
- Individuals with medical conditions needing electricity-dependent equipment are particularly vulnerable during power outages.
Reasoning
- The policy will provide the most benefit to individuals in regions with extreme weather events who rely on electricity for heating or cooling.
- Resources are limited, so areas with higher populations in extreme weather zones may see greater allocations.
- Individuals with medical conditions dependent on electricity will gain significantly from this policy, potentially saving lives.
- Some individuals in less vulnerable regions may not see direct impacts but could gain peace of mind knowing there's protection in place.
- The policy should lead to increased resilience and quality of life for vulnerable populations during extreme weather events.
Simulated Interviews
Retired (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm very worried about power outages during the summer when it's extremely hot.
- Without air conditioning, it's hard to breathe and my heart condition could worsen.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Nurse (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The winters here are brutal. An outage means we're in immediate danger of freezing.
- Knowing this policy is in place means I can rest easier during snowstorms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
IT Specialist (Houston, Texas)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Summers can become unbearable if we lose power, but I consider our current setup fairly reliable.
- Still, it's a relief to know there won't be cuts during heat waves.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Teacher (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My husband relies on electricity for his medical devices. A power disruption could be life-threatening.
- This policy offers much needed security during harsh winters.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Farmer (Bismarck, North Dakota)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I always worry about heating failures during the winter. Sometimes it gets so cold it's dangerous.
- With this policy, there's a bit less worry about surviving the night.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Hospital Administrator (Miami, Florida)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hot weather is a consistent issue, but outages are rare; still, this policy is a great backup for extreme conditions.
- I believe it could save lives in more critical areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retired Nurse (Dallas, Texas)
Age: 74 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without reliable electricity, my condition could quickly deteriorate during heatwaves.
- This policy is crucial for our survival.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Graphic Designer (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The weather is generally mild, so I don't see much immediate relevance for me in this policy.
- It's good for those in harsher conditions, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Freelance Writer (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 56 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We don't usually see extreme weather, but the peace of mind that this policy provides is comforting.
- It's worth it if it even saves one life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Construction Manager (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see the value especially during unexpected blizzards when we're heavily reliant on heating.
- Fewer worries about keeping my family safe.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 2: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 3: $205000000 (Low: $155000000, High: $255000000)
Year 5: $210000000 (Low: $160000000, High: $260000000)
Year 10: $220000000 (Low: $170000000, High: $270000000)
Year 100: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy is expected to prevent loss of life and health issues related to extreme temperature conditions.
- It involves coordination between federal, state, and local agencies to ensure smooth implementation.
- Utility companies may face challenges in logistics and increased operational costs, which could ultimately be passed onto consumers.