Regulators set to mull summertime Arizona power shutoff ban

State regulators are set to debate emergency rules barring most Arizona electric utilities from disconnecting power to customers who are late on their bills from June 1 through Sept. 30.

The proposal is set for discussion and a possible vote at the Arizona Corporation Commission on Thursday. It comes less than a week after it became known that a 72-year-old Sun City West woman died after her power was disconnected last September. The emergency rules would take effect immediately if they are approved.

Arizona Public Service disconnected Stephanie Pullman’s power because she only paid $125 of her $176 bill. The state’s largest utility suspended disconnections last Thursday and Tucson Electric Power followed on Friday.

All five commissioners appear supportive of major changes in disconnection rules for regulated utilities.