Bill designed to prevent power cutoff to elderly

SEANNA ADCOX, Associated Press

COLUMBIA -- Bills designed to protect the elderly and disabled from having their power cut off during periods of extreme heat and cold are on their way to the House floor.

The House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee voted 14-1 Tuesday to approve proposals preventing utilities from disconnecting customers' electric and natural gas service. Customers eligible to register for the program would be 65 or older, disabled or seriously ill with limited income.

Utilities would have the option of adopting the guidelines, as recommended by the Office of Regulatory Staff, or creating their own. If approved, the law would take effect Oct. 1.

The guidelines include multiple notifications of scheduled disconnection with the resident and a friend or relative.

The proposals, first filed last year, came after 89-year-old Elizabeth Verdin froze to death in her Greenville home in December 2004 after her power was shut off during a cold snap.

Rep. Bill Sandifer, R-Seneca, said the amended bills as approved Tuesday are the result of many meetings with utility officials around the state. He said he does not expect utilities to oppose the guidelines, especially since most have already adopted them.

"This is not an attempt to give people free utilities. It's an attempt to protect people," he said. "This is part of what we're supposed to be here to do -- protect people."

The proposals would not negate customers' obligation to pay their utility bills. But they would ensure the heat or air conditioning stays on while payment is arranged.

Committee chairman, Rep. Harry Cato, R-Travelers Rest, said the guidelines "walk the fine line of trying to protect the consuming public without allowing the public to abuse the system."

The proposals set temperature guidelines for not disrupting service.

Between Dec. 1 and March 31, utilities would not disconnect the service of a registered special needs customer when the average temperature forecast for the next 48 hours is 32 degrees or below, or when the forecast low is 20 degrees or lower.

Utilities would not cut power between June 1 and Aug. 31 when the heat index is forecast to be 105 degrees over the next 24 hours.

Rep. Wallace Scarborough, R-Charleston, cast the lone nay vote. He said the cost of multiple notifications unfairly burdened utilities.

"When is enough enough? How many times do we have to notify someone their power will be cut off before it's cut off?" he asked.

Sandifer said costs are expected to be minimal, especially "in comparison to a human life."