Geneva Jones, a resident of Lindsay Heights, urges people to "fight for our lights" by ending utility disconnections during a protest in 2023. (NNS file photo by Sam Woods)

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is reminding residents that Wisconsin law prohibits a utility from disconnecting electrical service from occupied dwelling units when a heat advisory, heat warning or heat emergency issued by the National Weather Service is in effect. 

The commission issued a news release Tuesday, July 22 to alert consumers to a heat advisory that begins Wednesday, July 23.

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According to the news release, a utility must make reasonable attempts to reconnect service to an occupied dwelling that has been disconnected for nonpayment when an occupant states that there is a potential threat to health or life that results from the combination of the heat and loss of service. 

The utility may require that an occupant produce a licensed physician’s statement or notice from a public health, social service, or law enforcement official which identifies the medical emergency for the occupant, the news release says.

Once a heat advisory, heat warning or heat emergency expires, the utility may disconnect service to a property that was reconnected during this period if a payment arrangement has not been established. 

If you have questions, you can Utility customers who have questions about disconnections, contact the Public Service Commission Consumer Affairs Bureau at 1-800-225-7729.  

More information about the Utility Customer Bill of Rights is available on the PSC website

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