Florida Legislators Introduce Bill Prohibiting Utility Shut Offs During Extreme Weather
Food & Water Watch
Press Contact: Grace Delallo [email protected]
This article originally appeared on FoodandWaterWatch.org.
Florida ranks #1 in the nation for extreme heat-related illnesses; the PAUSE Act would safeguard access to lifesaving cooling for everyone, regardless of cost
Tallahassee, FL — Representative Debra Tendrich and Senator Lori Berman have introduced the PAUSE Act (H 419/SB 330), with the endorsement of Food & Water Watch and several other groups. The bill would prohibit electric, public, and/or water utilities from disconnecting services to residential customers with outstanding payments or fees during extreme weather events. It also outlines that utilities may not recover lost funds from customers for any fee or expense incurred in complying with the act. The bill has been referred to the Senate Regulated Industries Committee and the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee.
The PAUSE Act would help provide stability for Floridians struggling to make ends meet, amidst the DeSantis administration’s routinely rubber-stamped utility rate increases. In the past 6 years since Gov. DeSantis took office, average energy bills from investor-owned utilities have risen 31% statewide; in some areas, by as much as 44% (TECO) for low-income Floridians living in the biggest cities, half of whom are energy burdened.
Brooke Ward, Senior Florida Organizer with Food & Water Watch said:
“At a time when utility rates are skyrocketing and the cost of living continues to climb, we need state protections that ensure every Floridian’s basic rights to lifesaving water and electricity — especially in the face of increasingly severe climate disasters and extreme weather. Every year, dangerously hot summers and worsening storm seasons destabilize life for millions across the state. Our legislators can’t sit back and let people go without reliable access to necessities. Chairs Bradley and LaMarca must move the PAUSE Act through their respective committees to prevent unnecessary heat deaths.”
Florida leads the nation in heat-related illnesses. Heat exacerbates health conditions such as asthma, kidney failure, and heart disease and can lead to stroke and death, especially for young children, pregnant people, and the elderly. From 2017-2021 an estimated 150 people died from heat. These numbers are only expected to rise, as fossil fueled climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme heat. A working air conditioning unit in a home is the strongest protective factor against heat-related fatalities, reducing premature heat deaths by 75% since 1960.
“Extreme heat is a growing public health threat especially for those with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, seniors, unhoused individuals, and outdoors workers, among others,” said Yoca Arditi-Rocha, Executive Director of The CLEO Institute. “With electric bills on the rise, our lawmakers must protect vulnerable groups and protect the right to essential needs like power to keep people safe as our world warms.”
Lorna Perez, Florida Field Consultant with Moms Clean Air Force said “The PAUSE Act will help ensure that our most vulnerable communities have access to life-saving, preventative measures against the climate crisis. With extreme heat rising and utility costs soaring, Floridians need strong protections for essential services like electricity and water. No one should choose between keeping the lights on and staying safe during worsening disasters.”
“Floridians work hard to keep their families healthy and safe, but the rising prices of property insurance, utility bills, and overall cost of living means many of us are struggling to pay our bills and live in fear of utility disconnections. We deserve to be protected from shut-offs during states of emergency and extreme weather, and the PAUSE Act would provide these life-saving protections and more,” said Chelsea Rivera, Policy Organizer at Central Florida Jobs with Justice. “Our veterans and elderly populations especially need this public health intervention, as mortality rates from heat are some of the highest among these demographics. We’re counting on Chairs Bradley and LaMarca to do the right thing for residents of our state by moving the PAUSE Act through their committees.”
“Rising utility prices, escalating heat, and growing public health concerns are placing an unbearable burden on communities, particularly the most vulnerable. As extreme temperatures drive up energy demand, many are forced to choose between cooling their homes and meeting basic necessities. This crisis not only threatens financial stability but also endangers lives, highlighting the urgent need for equitable solutions that prioritize public health and economic relief,” said Mary Gutierrez, Environmental Scientist and Director for Earth Ethics. “The PAUSE Act will provide the necessary safeguards to ensure our citizens are protected. We are strongly encouraging Chairs Bradley and LaMarca to move this important piece of legislation forward.”
ReThink Energy Florida Political Advocacy Coordinator Laura Pinto-Alton said, “My great grandmother suffered a heat stroke a few years ago. Since then, she’s suffered from memory loss and trouble with language and speech. This is a fear that everyone with medically vulnerable family members understands, and these are the people in our communities that we have a chance to protect with the PAUSE Act. The purpose of this bill is to stop these preventable tragedies.”
“From Pensacola to the Keys, hardworking Floridians are being crushed by an affordability crisis. Throughout the state our communities are being forced to make impossible financial decisions with many having to choose between buying medication, paying for their groceries, or keeping their lights on,” said Maria Claudia Schubert-Fontes, Climate Justice Program Manager with Catalyst Miami. “The PAUSE bill will protect our neighbors in dangerous times, when access to energy is crucial for their safety. Florida is one of the only states in the South that lacks this life saving policy. It is time for our policy makers to lead on utility affordability and help Floridians keep the lights on.”
“Florida is at the forefront of climate change in the United States. With the high costs of living, Floridians are having to choose between paying their bills, getting groceries for their families, or preparing for natural disasters. This should not happen. The PAUSE Act looks to provide protections for vulnerable communities so that they don’t have to worry about their utilities getting disconnected during times of extreme weather. Whether it is a hurricane or a heat-wave, having power during these times can be a matter of life or death. Our state has been at the hands of private utilities like Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, and their record-high profits for too long. We are proud to support and help educate others on this good bill,” said Katina Rentas Negrón, a Climate Justice Campaigner with Florida Rising.
Press Contact: Grace Delallo [email protected]
This article originally appeared on FoodandWaterWatch.org.
Florida ranks #1 in the nation for extreme heat-related illnesses; the PAUSE Act would safeguard access to lifesaving cooling for everyone, regardless of cost
Tallahassee, FL — Representative Debra Tendrich and Senator Lori Berman have introduced the PAUSE Act (H 419/SB 330), with the endorsement of Food & Water Watch and several other groups. The bill would prohibit electric, public, and/or water utilities from disconnecting services to residential customers with outstanding payments or fees during extreme weather events. It also outlines that utilities may not recover lost funds from customers for any fee or expense incurred in complying with the act. The bill has been referred to the Senate Regulated Industries Committee and the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee.
The PAUSE Act would help provide stability for Floridians struggling to make ends meet, amidst the DeSantis administration’s routinely rubber-stamped utility rate increases. In the past 6 years since Gov. DeSantis took office, average energy bills from investor-owned utilities have risen 31% statewide; in some areas, by as much as 44% (TECO) for low-income Floridians living in the biggest cities, half of whom are energy burdened.
Brooke Ward, Senior Florida Organizer with Food & Water Watch said:
“At a time when utility rates are skyrocketing and the cost of living continues to climb, we need state protections that ensure every Floridian’s basic rights to lifesaving water and electricity — especially in the face of increasingly severe climate disasters and extreme weather. Every year, dangerously hot summers and worsening storm seasons destabilize life for millions across the state. Our legislators can’t sit back and let people go without reliable access to necessities. Chairs Bradley and LaMarca must move the PAUSE Act through their respective committees to prevent unnecessary heat deaths.”
Florida leads the nation in heat-related illnesses. Heat exacerbates health conditions such as asthma, kidney failure, and heart disease and can lead to stroke and death, especially for young children, pregnant people, and the elderly. From 2017-2021 an estimated 150 people died from heat. These numbers are only expected to rise, as fossil fueled climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme heat. A working air conditioning unit in a home is the strongest protective factor against heat-related fatalities, reducing premature heat deaths by 75% since 1960.
“Extreme heat is a growing public health threat especially for those with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, seniors, unhoused individuals, and outdoors workers, among others,” said Yoca Arditi-Rocha, Executive Director of The CLEO Institute. “With electric bills on the rise, our lawmakers must protect vulnerable groups and protect the right to essential needs like power to keep people safe as our world warms.”
Lorna Perez, Florida Field Consultant with Moms Clean Air Force said “The PAUSE Act will help ensure that our most vulnerable communities have access to life-saving, preventative measures against the climate crisis. With extreme heat rising and utility costs soaring, Floridians need strong protections for essential services like electricity and water. No one should choose between keeping the lights on and staying safe during worsening disasters.”
“Floridians work hard to keep their families healthy and safe, but the rising prices of property insurance, utility bills, and overall cost of living means many of us are struggling to pay our bills and live in fear of utility disconnections. We deserve to be protected from shut-offs during states of emergency and extreme weather, and the PAUSE Act would provide these life-saving protections and more,” said Chelsea Rivera, Policy Organizer at Central Florida Jobs with Justice. “Our veterans and elderly populations especially need this public health intervention, as mortality rates from heat are some of the highest among these demographics. We’re counting on Chairs Bradley and LaMarca to do the right thing for residents of our state by moving the PAUSE Act through their committees.”
“Rising utility prices, escalating heat, and growing public health concerns are placing an unbearable burden on communities, particularly the most vulnerable. As extreme temperatures drive up energy demand, many are forced to choose between cooling their homes and meeting basic necessities. This crisis not only threatens financial stability but also endangers lives, highlighting the urgent need for equitable solutions that prioritize public health and economic relief,” said Mary Gutierrez, Environmental Scientist and Director for Earth Ethics. “The PAUSE Act will provide the necessary safeguards to ensure our citizens are protected. We are strongly encouraging Chairs Bradley and LaMarca to move this important piece of legislation forward.”
ReThink Energy Florida Political Advocacy Coordinator Laura Pinto-Alton said, “My great grandmother suffered a heat stroke a few years ago. Since then, she’s suffered from memory loss and trouble with language and speech. This is a fear that everyone with medically vulnerable family members understands, and these are the people in our communities that we have a chance to protect with the PAUSE Act. The purpose of this bill is to stop these preventable tragedies.”
“From Pensacola to the Keys, hardworking Floridians are being crushed by an affordability crisis. Throughout the state our communities are being forced to make impossible financial decisions with many having to choose between buying medication, paying for their groceries, or keeping their lights on,” said Maria Claudia Schubert-Fontes, Climate Justice Program Manager with Catalyst Miami. “The PAUSE bill will protect our neighbors in dangerous times, when access to energy is crucial for their safety. Florida is one of the only states in the South that lacks this life saving policy. It is time for our policy makers to lead on utility affordability and help Floridians keep the lights on.”
“Florida is at the forefront of climate change in the United States. With the high costs of living, Floridians are having to choose between paying their bills, getting groceries for their families, or preparing for natural disasters. This should not happen. The PAUSE Act looks to provide protections for vulnerable communities so that they don’t have to worry about their utilities getting disconnected during times of extreme weather. Whether it is a hurricane or a heat-wave, having power during these times can be a matter of life or death. Our state has been at the hands of private utilities like Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy, and their record-high profits for too long. We are proud to support and help educate others on this good bill,” said Katina Rentas Negrón, a Climate Justice Campaigner with Florida Rising.
