Utility companies disconnect power 13.4 million times and gas 1.7 million times in 2024
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Apr 26
Utility companies disconnect power 13.4 million times and gas 1.7 million times in 2024
10 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Apr 26
A new federal report, the first under a 2023 data law, reveals unexpectedly high shutoff rates, especially in Southern states like Oklahoma, Texas, and Florida.
Consumer advocates highlight severe financial distress and call for checks on rate hikes and executive pay, as nearly 95 million final notices were sent to electric customers in 2024.
Experts warn the situation is worsening with rising energy prices in 2025, and note that disconnections often peak in months without seasonal shutoff bans, leaving vulnerable households at risk.
Why did utility profits surge as millions of American families lost power?
Will climate change and the rise of AI make affordable electricity a thing of the past?
How is the boom in AI data centers driving up your personal electricity bill?
Could your landlord's billing method be illegally inflating your utility costs?
As shutoffs concentrate in the South, is federal aid reaching those most in need?
Why are you paying more for new gas pipes than for the gas itself?
Record 13.4 Million Electricity Shutoffs in 2024 Expose Widening Energy Inequality
Overview
In 2024, the United States faced a historic surge in utility disconnections, with over 13 million electricity and nearly 2 million gas shutoffs, heavily concentrated in Southern states like Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma. This crisis was driven by rising energy costs, weak consumer protections, and a lack of safeguards against shutoffs during extreme heat. Millions of households struggled with mounting utility debt, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. Despite record profits and high executive pay for utilities, assistance programs like LIHEAP fell short. The crisis exposed urgent needs for stronger regulations, better data transparency, and expanded consumer protections to ensure affordable, reliable energy access for all.