California restringe los cortes de servicios públicos mientras una peligrosa ola de calor se extiende por todo el estado

California's utility regulators voted unanimously to strengthen protections against power cutoffs during dangerous heat. CalMatters reports the new rules lower the temperature threshold for protection from one hundred degrees to ninety degrees—a seemingly small change that can mean the difference between safety and life-threatening heat in cooler regions where residents are less acclimated. Regulators also ordered utilities to adopt region-specific heat standards within six months, recognizing that eighty-five degrees qualifies as extreme heat in San Francisco but is routine in inland areas. Utilities had resisted stronger rules, arguing higher protection would increase uncollected debts and costs, but the commission sided with consumer advocates. When power cuts off during heat waves—especially in rural areas where it can mean losing water access—families face cascading consequences: eviction, loss of custody, and worse. The new standards apply only to shutoffs for unpaid bills, not emergency cuts for equipment failure or wildfire prevention.

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