PAUSE Act would protect the vulnerable by keeping the power on

By Chelsea Rivera, Central Florida Jobs with Justice

As the policy organizer for Central Florida Jobs with Justice, I see firsthand every day the struggles many hardworking families and seniors are dealing with during our state’s affordability crisis. That’s especially true when it comes to the necessities like keeping the power on.

That’s why we’re supporting the Protect Access to Utility Services during Emergencies (PAUSE) Act, a life-saving bill that would protect vulnerable populations like our veterans, seniors and pregnant women.

How does it do that? The PAUSE Act bans utility disconnections due to nonpayment when the heat index is forecast to be above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature forecast is below 32 degrees F and/or during declared states of emergencies. While monopoly utility companies like Duke Energy and Florida Power and Light have existing policies around weather-related shutoffs, this law would extend these more robust and comprehensive protections across Florida.

Here’s what we know. A working air conditioning unit in a home is the strongest protective factor against heat-related fatalities, and the PAUSE Act makes sure that families maintain access to this life-saving mechanism during extreme weather events.

Labeled as “Extreme Caution” by the National Weather Service, a heat index of 90 degrees F can cause heatstroke, cramps and exhaustion — and, in severe cases, even death. From 2010-2020, 27% of heat-related fatalities in Florida occurred among individuals aged 65 and older, highlighting the disproportionate impact for seniors and chronic exposure to heat can also worsen symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, increasing the burden on family caregivers around the state.

The health-related costs of treating heat illnesses also put a huge strain on taxpayers. In Florida, heat-related emergency room visits between 2018 and 2022 cost an estimated $105 million. As our summers get increasingly hot and health care costs continue to rise, we’ll only see a more significant financial impact for Floridians.

Veterans are another group that will be protected under this important piece of legislation. Florida is home to over 1.43 million veterans, and in 2019, over one-quarter reported living in households experiencing financial hardship, increasing their chances of experiencing a utility shutoff.

Maintaining power would help them and older adults with complex health needs who rely on electrically powered medical devices, such as oxygen concentrators or refrigeration for medications. Among veterans receiving home oxygen services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), about 84% use oxygen concentrators, a device that requires continuous power supply to function effectively.

This is also a huge issue impacting our children. Chronic exposure to high heat has been linked to preterm birth and low-birth weight, which can set a baby up for cascading health problems in their first years of life such as feeding challenges, difficulties breathing and developmental delays.

Additionally, heat can exacerbate symptoms of developmental disabilities like autism, leading to more frequent and violent meltdowns and heightened sensitivity to sensory input. Children with limited communication may have difficulties or be unable to express the physical impacts of heat putting them at increased risk for overheating and in worst-case scenarios, heat-related fatalities. The PAUSE Act can prevent these unnecessary health risks by ensuring children have access to the life-preserving air conditioning they need.

From Pensacola to the Keys, hardworking Floridians are being crushed by an affordability crisis. As prices increase, many of our neighbors are struggling to pay their utility bills every month. Throughout the state, our communities are being forced to make impossible financial decisions with many having to choose between buying medication, paying for groceries or keeping their lights on.

Our families are doing all this while also facing severe cold fronts, deadly heat waves and devastating hurricanes. The PAUSE Act will protect our communities 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 lifesaving policy.

It is time for our policymakers to be champions for affordable utilities. Now is the time to urge your legislators to support the PAUSE Act because hardworking families and seniors deserve to be protected.

Dr. Chelsea Rivera is a policy organizer at Central Florida Jobs with Justice. This opinion piece was originally published by the Orlando Sentinel, which is a media partner of The Invading Sea. Banner image: A woman cools herself from the heat (iStock image).

Sign up for The Invading Sea newsletter by visiting here. To support The Invading Sea, click here to make a donation. If you are interested in submitting an opinion piece to The Invading Sea, email Editor Nathan Crabbe at ncrabbe@fau.edu. To learn more about the heat index, watch the video below.