Keeping Older Texans Safe During Hot Weather: AARP Texas Speaks Up

As summer temperatures soar across Texas, the risks to older adults grow more severe. AARP Texas is urging the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to take action to protect vulnerable residents from the life-threatening consequences of electricity disconnections during extreme heat. In its recent comments submitted on Project No. 57999, AARP outlines key recommendations to improve safety and transparency in the utility services.

Specifically, AARP Texas is urging the PUCT to revise its rules for electricity providers to reflect the realities of extreme heat and the needs of older Texans. By adopting stronger disconnection protections and requiring transparent data reporting, the Commission can help prevent unnecessary tragedies.

Older adults are especially vulnerable during heat waves. Many live alone, rely on medical devices, or have health conditions that make it harder to regulate body temperature. Without electricity, they lose access to air conditioning—turning their homes into dangerous environments.

Texas currently halts electricity disconnections during “heat advisories” issued by the National Weather Service. But here’s the catch: the NWS plans to eliminate this category altogether. That means the existing protections could soon disappear, leaving older Texans exposed to deadly heat without safeguards.

In 2018, a 72-year-old woman in Arizona died after her electricity was shut off during a 107-degree heat wave. Her story sparked major reforms. Arizona now bans disconnections during the summer or when temperatures are forecasted to exceed 95 degrees for five days. AARP Texas believes similar protections should be adopted here—either a seasonal moratorium from June to October or a temperature-based rule with a three-day forecast threshold.

Texas doesn’t track or publish standardized data on utility disconnections. AARP has also asked the PUCT to publish public reports on disconnections. These reports should include how many households were disconnected, how many were over age 65, and how many were receiving energy assistance. This data would help policymakers understand where protections are most needed.

States like Iowa, Missouri, and Nevada have already implemented monthly reporting requirements. National organizations like NARUC and NASUCA have also recommended these standards. It’s time for Texas to catch up and ensure that decisions are based on real, transparent data.

For older adults, electricity isn’t just about comfort—it’s about survival. Disconnections during extreme heat can lead to heat stroke, cardiac arrest, and even death. With rising energy costs and inflation, many seniors are forced to choose between paying for food, medicine, or electricity. That’s a choice no one should have to make.

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Stephanie Mace can be reached at smace@aarp.org or 737-313-7068.