The death of an 82-year-old woman in Arizona has sparked a wave of controversy and a demand for regulatory change after she died when her electricity was disconnected. The incident, which occurred last May, came to light after Attorney General Kris Mayes sent a letter to the Arizona Corporation Commission, calling for an update to the state's utility disconnection policies and a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading up to the death of Kate Korman. "It's just tragic and frankly unacceptable that in this day and age, we are still seeing deaths related to utilities disconnecting people's electricity and power," Mayes stated in an interview with ABC15.
As per the current policy, Arizona Public Service (APS) is not allowed to shut off electricity from June 1 through October 15. Nonetheless, Korman’s power was cut off just before this period began due to unpaid bills, despite temperatures reaching near triple digits. The company claims it contacted Korman multiple times but received no response. Mayes argued that a temperature-based cutoff system could have prevented this tragedy. She said if the commission prohibited utilities from shutting off power when it hit 95 degrees or more, “then I believe that Kate Korman would probably still be alive," as reported by ABC15.
The Commission has responded by initiating an inquiry into the procedures followed by APS, although it has clarified that its investigation does not extend to the cause of death, merely the power disconnection process. The Corporation Commission's inquiry came after a public push and the family's persistent requests for transparency and action, as detailed in an article from ABC15.
Ongoing discussions and news coverage have revealed cracks in the communication between APS and Korman prior to her death. Despite APS's assurance that attempts were made to reach her, including emails and a notice left on her door, Korman's son indicated to The Arizona Republic that his mother had an outdated phone number and unread emails, casting doubt on the efficacy of APS’s notice delivery, especially concerning an elderly customer on a fixed payment system who happened to have the means to pay the bill.
There has been a clash of perspectives among state officials regarding this sensitive issue. While the Attorney General and many citizens demand more humane policies, Corporation Commission Vice Chairman Nick Myers appeared less sympathetic, remarking on social media, "I don’t feel it is a utilities responsibility to keep everyone alive. They are not doctors."
.jpg){kind=link}