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PHOENIX (3TV / CBS 5) – Arizona Public Service says it will not disconnect electricity from residential customers who have delayed payments while it reviews its policies.
[WATCH: Woman speaks about her mother who died after APS cut power to Sun City West home]
This is a temporary move that occurs a few days warmer than the average and a week before the official start of the summer.
[ARIZONA’S WEATHER AUTHORITY: Get your forecast]
One of the reasons for this decision is the death of a customer last year "in which heating may have been a contributing factor after the electricity service was disconnected," said APS.
The deceased woman was Stephanie Pullman, a resident of Sun City West.
Pullman's daughter, Jeanine Smith, thinks her mother could still be alive if APS had not cut off the power supply from her home.
"[I] tried to reach Mom, but she was not answering the phone. Sent to the Sun City West Reserve, and the sheriff's office found her dead in bed, "Smith said.
Records from the Arizona Corporation Commission indicate that APS sent several notices to Pullman before cutting off the power for non-payment on Sept. 7 of last year.
"I do not see how you could cut off somebody's electricity by three-digit weather," Smith said. "In my heart, I believe they are at fault."
Smith said that his mother had tried to pay his bill.
"I did not think she knew she was going to be shut at all because she would have contacted one of us," Smith said. "I think there should be a policy that if someone tries to do it, you should not prevent it with an elderly woman."
"Our heart goes to the customer's family," reads in an APS press release. "The safety of our compatriots in Arizona is our top priority. We want all our customers to stay connected, especially during the summer. "
APS said Thursday that it has been informed of the death of 2018 in the last 48 hours.
Now the company is looking more closely at its policies.
"We are taking a break from disconnections for residential customers who are having trouble paying their bills, and we will review our disconnection policies over the next 30 days," said Stacy Derstine, APS.
[SPECIAL SECTION: Extreme Heat]
Public health officials said heat-related deaths in Maricopa County took place as early as March and continued until October.
"We will conduct a thorough evaluation of our disconnection policies," said Derstine in a video statement.
This will happen in the next 30 days. As part of its review, APS plans to consult with community organizations, other public agencies and advocacy groups of low-income clients.
"We want to make sure our customers understand that they have options," said Derstine.
These alternatives include payment terms, extensions, billing support programs, reminder reminders, and automatic payment.
APS indicates that customers can call weekdays between 07:00 and 19:00. or visit APS.com for more information.
Phoenix Region – 602-371-7171
Outside of Phoenix – 800-253-9405
"Customers will still be billed for their energy use during this suspension of disconnections and will be required to pay their bills promptly," said APS.
APS, the state's largest electricity company, serves 2.7 million customers and employs 6,400 people.
MORE STORIES RELATED TO HEAT
Maricopa County records its first heat-related death of the year
A man from Sun Lakes missing is found dead from an apparent heat exposure
With the heat, drink a lot of water
Maricopa County Emergency Rooms See Peak Heat-Related Illnesses (June 8, 2018)
Record Number of Heat-Related Deaths Reported in Maricopa County in 2017 (September 10, 2018)
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