WA law would protect residents with unpaid utility bills during heat advisory. Here’s how

On Tuesday, the Washington state House passed a new bill aiming to protect vulnerable Washingtonians from dangerous heat waves. Now the legislation awaits Senate approval.

If cemented into state law, the bill, HB 1329, would prevent utility services from shutting off residents’ power and water due to nonpayments during National Weather Service heat warnings. The moratorium would ensure residents have access to basic protections that use electricity to run when temperatures spike. That includes electric fans, refrigerators and air conditioning. It would also protect water services.

“Access to running water and electricity can be a matter of life and death during extreme heat,” stated Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson in a news release Tuesday. “This common-sense reform will improve public safety and protect some of our most vulnerable residents.”

Ferguson and state Rep. Sharlett Mena (D-Tacoma) introduced the bill to the House, while the legislation’s Senate counterpart, SB 5366, is sponsored by Sen. Joe Nguyen (D-White Center).

Extreme heat in WA

Dangerously-high temperatures are becoming more common in the U.S. and in Washington state as climate change gradually warms Earth’s temperature. According to the Climate Impacts Group at the University of Washington, climate change is causing summers in Washington to be hotter and longer.

Climate science organization Climate Central notes that the U.S. experienced one of its hottest summers overall on record in 2022. In 2021, the highest temperature ever recorded in Washington state was registered in Hanford at 120 degrees. The same summer, the Washington State Department of Health reported 157 heat-related deaths.

In 2022, researchers at the University of Washington published a peer-reviewed study that discusses future implications for climate change and extreme heat in the Evergreen State. The authors anticipate that heat-attributable deaths will increase by 35% in 2030 and by over 600% by 2080 in Washington’s western and central regions.

What is a heat warning?

The National Weather service differentiates heat watches from heat warnings.

The National Weather Service issues heat watches 24 to 72 hours before weather conditions are anticipated to escalate to a heat wave. However, heat warnings are more severe than heat watches. The watch is declared within 12 hours of dangerous heat conditions.

In general, NWS issues a heat warning if the heat index temperature is expected to be above 105 degrees or higher and nighttime temperatures don’t drop below 75 degrees for at least two days. The criteria varies depending on the area.

The state legislation would protect residents from losing power and water during any NWS heat-related advisory if they’ve been unable to pay their utility bills.

Who is most at risk of dangerous heat?

The Climate Impacts Group states that extreme heat increases health risks for people who have preexisting conditions such as respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease and kidney failure. Dangerously-high temperatures also increase the likelihood of people to experience heat exhaustion, heart attacks and strokes.

Some groups are disproportionately affected by extreme weather events compared to others, according to a report from the U.S. Global Change Research Program. Communities of color, homeless and immigrant populations are more exposed to heat waves. Black people also have a higher risk of death compared to white people.

Other people are also disproportionately at risk of heat-related illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These include:

• Age 65 and older

• Infants and children

• People with chronic conditions

• Low income

• Athletes

• Outdoor workers

• Pregnant women