Utilities would keep homes connected during heat, cold, and unhealthy air

Public utilities and electric cooperatives would have to keep residential service connected during covered periods. The protection would cover residential retail customers. Heat alerts would come from the National Weather Service. Air-quality alerts would come from the Environmental Protection Agency or the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. Cold protection would apply when the high temperature is below 32°F. Air-quality alerts would cover an Air Quality Index of 151 or higher, or a similar unhealthy-air alert. Customers behind on bills who were harmed by the extreme weather event would have to be offered a plan to pay their unpaid balance over time. Heat and air protections would begin 24 hours before an announced alert starts, or when an unannounced alert starts, and last until 48 hours after the last overlapping or consecutive alert ends. The proposal states a July 1, 2026, effective date.

Landlords would generally have to allow tenants to install and use portable cooling and air-cleaning devices. Residential tenants could choose portable devices that require no changes to the property. This permission would not depend on a weather or air-quality alert. Landlords could restrict devices that break laws or written safety instructions, cause unreasonable damage, make the home unlivable, or exceed its electrical capacity. Window devices could be restricted if they block a needed exit, damage the property or void a window warranty, drain poorly, or cannot be secured against falling. A working permanent system capable of cooling the home would also allow restrictions on either cooling or air-cleaning devices. Electrical limits would require landlords to prioritize tenants who need devices because of a disability. Allowed restrictions would require written notice within 48 hours of notice of the stated violation. Tenants would then have 48 hours to remove an installed device. The initial notice trigger is unclear. The proposed rules would take effect July 1, 2026, and apply to rental agreements or leases entered into or renewed on or after that date.

Landlords would be barred from shutting off tenants’ electricity or water for unpaid bills during covered heat or unhealthy-air periods. The rules would cover residential electricity or water shutoffs carried out by landlords. Tenants already disconnected for unpaid bills could request reconnection during covered periods. Disconnection notices would have to explain how to request reconnection and contact the landlord. After a request, landlords would have to promptly make a reasonable attempt to restore service. Landlords could require a repayment plan before reconnection. The plan would cover overdue bills and continued service, with required monthly payments capped at 6% of the tenant’s net monthly income. Tenants could agree to pay more, but would not be in default for paying at least 6% of their net monthly income during this period. Tenants receiving assistance payments afterward would have to contact the landlord to revise the plan. Plans would aim to clear overdue bills by the following May 15, or as soon afterward as the payment cap allows. The proposed rules would take effect July 1, 2026, for rental agreements or leases entered into or renewed on or after that date.

North Carolina would set aside $100,000 each year for the North Carolina Utilities Commission to prepare and share an annual disconnection report. The money would come from the state General Fund. Recurring funding would begin in the 2026–2027 fiscal year. The proposal states a July 1, 2026, effective date.