Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Preventing Unnecessary Deaths During Life-Threatening Events Act.
Section 2. Extreme heat and extreme cold weather events
Section 115(g) of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2625(g)) is amended—
(1) by inserting, subject to paragraph (4) after nonregulated electric utility which provide that;
(2) in paragraph (2)—
(A) by inserting electric service may not be terminated before during any period;
(B) by striking installments, and inserting installments.;
(C) by striking such service may not be terminated.; and
(D) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
(4) by striking The procedures for termination of service and inserting the following:
(1) In general
The procedures for termination of service
(4) ; and
(5) by striking Such procedures shall take into account the need to include reasonable provisions for elderly and handicapped consumers. and inserting the following:
(2) Elderly consumers and consumers with disabilities
Procedures described in paragraph (1) shall take into account the need to include reasonable provisions for elderly consumers and consumers with disabilities.
(3) Extreme weather events
For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), any period of an extreme heat weather event or extreme cold weather event, as determined by the State regulatory authority (with respect to an electric utility for which it has ratemaking authority) or the nonregulated electric utility, shall be considered to be a period when termination of service to an electric consumer would be especially dangerous to health.
(4) Limitation
Procedures described in paragraph (1) may authorize temporary suspension of electric service to specific areas as required for the safe operation and maintenance of the infrastructure of the applicable electric utility, including to reduce the risk of fires caused by such infrastructure.
(5) Updated procedures
Procedures described in paragraph (1) shall be updated, as necessary, by the State regulatory authority (with respect to electric utilities for which it has ratemaking authority) or by the nonregulated electric utility at least once every 10 years, including to reflect the best available science with respect to changing climate conditions.