GREENVILLE, S.C. - More local and state lawmakers have joined the drive to stop utilities from shutting off power to delinquent customers during the winter.

The issue came to the forefront after an Upstate woman died earlier this month of hypothermia when her electricity was turned off by Duke Power.

Both Democratic and Republican legislators want to draft a measure designed to prevent any more deaths like that of Elizabeth Verdin. Police say the power to Verdin's place had been disconnected for six days when she died Dec. 11. Greenville Police found the 89-year-old woman on her living room floor two days later.

"I'm pretty slow to tell businesses what they can and can't do," Sen. Verne Smith, R-Greer, said. "But when it comes to life-threatening actions, we've got to act. I'm definitely planning to work on a piece of legislation that will help protect our people."

Duke Power spokesman Tim Pettit says the company has stopped all disconnections until it finishes an internal review of its policies and the incident.

Sen. Ralph Anderson, D-Greenville, said Upstate lawmakers will look at regulatory laws in other states and meet with utility interests as it considers legislation telling when utilities could cut off heat during the winter.

"This may be a rallying point. It's bad that you have to have death to have a rallying point, but we're going to do something," Anderson said.

Greenville City Councilman Garry Coulter said Friday he'd want the city's franchise agreement with Duke Power to include a measure stopping any customer over 65 from getting their power turned off. Duke Power's three-year agreement is up for renewal in the summer.

Duke Power said it followed all procedures before disconnecting Verdin's power. The company sent a certified letter, brought information about deferred payments, knocked on her door and hung the disconnection notice on her door knob. The Public Service Commission agreed the power company followed proper guidelines.

Smith, though, said Duke Power can't be excused "because their customer died."

Duke Power officials will meet with lawmakers, Pettit said. The company, which serves 2 million customers in the Carolinas, has protective programs already in place.

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Information from: The Greenville News, http://www.greenvillenews.com/