Arizona AG Demands Action Following Fatal Power Disconnection
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is urging a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Kate Korman, an 82-year-old woman whose power was disconnected last May due to unpaid bills. Korman, found dead in her Sun City West home six days after Arizona Public Service (APS) cut off her electricity, succumbed to complications related to chronic ethanolism and environmental heat stress, with temperatures soaring near triple digits.
In a recent interview, Mayes criticized current utility disconnection rules, stating that fatalities linked to power shut-offs are "tragic and unacceptable." She has formally requested the Arizona Corporation Commission review its disconnection policies, proposing a temperature-based protocol to safeguard vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and low-income individuals.
While APS expressed condolences and highlighted their efforts to communicate with Korman prior to disconnection, the utility’s practices are under scrutiny. The Commission, which regulates utilities like APS, has initiated a review of the disconnection procedures but noted it does not investigate deaths. Mayes remains resolute, asserting that without rule changes, similar tragedies could recur. She aims to ensure the safety and well-being of Arizona’s most vulnerable citizens.
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