82-Year-Old APS Customer Tragically Dies Following Power Shutdown in May 2024

In May 2024, an 82-year-old woman died after her power was cut off during extreme heat, prompting serious concerns about utility policies in Arizona. Her son, Johnathan Korman, argues this case highlights a critical issue with state regulations related to energy disconnections and public safety.

Korman’s mother, Kate Korman, was found dead in her Sun City West home on May 19, just six days after Arizona Public Service (APS) disconnected her electricity due to unpaid bills. Investigations revealed that her death resulted from complications linked to chronic alcohol use, with exposure to high temperatures being a significant factor. Heart disease was also identified as a contributing element.

This incident isn’t isolated; 138 heat-related deaths were reported in Maricopa County the previous year, with a number of victims found in homes that experienced power outages.

Johnathan Korman noted the sweltering conditions when he and his brother returned to their mother’s home. “It was like an oven in there,” he remarked, emphasizing that APS had turned off the power while temperatures soared above 99 degrees. He learned that his mother was behind on approximately $500 in bills after contacting APS.

APS claims that they adhered to state policies regarding disconnection, having made numerous attempts to notify Korman about her account status. However, Korman maintained he was unaware of the shut-off program designed to keep family members informed, and he is pressing for legislative changes to protect vulnerable residents from similar situations in the future.

“There should be safeguards against switching off power when conditions are life-threatening,” Korman argued.

In defense, APS reported that Korman had not paid her bills since January 2024 and had received multiple notifications regarding her account. A neighbor, however, stated she was unaware of any financial troubles faced by Korman, noting that she had been living a modest lifestyle.

In the days leading to Korman’s death, temperatures in the region exceeded 100 degrees multiple times. APS disclosed that there were over 2,200 residential disconnections for non-payment in May 2024, reflecting a minimal percentage of their customer base.

Stacey Champion, a heat policy activist, highlighted Korman’s death as indicative of flaws within Arizona’s utility disconnection rules. Although policies were updated after previous fatal incidents, Champion argues that they still do not adequately protect against heat-related fatalities outside of the existing moratorium period from June 1 to October 15. She championed temp-based shut-off rules rather than date-focused ones.

As the second-largest utility provider in Arizona, Salt River Project (SRP) has even more lenient disconnection policies, with reports of substantial shut-offs occurring during heat waves. Champion’s advocacy persists, urging state officials to ensure that no power is disconnected when temperatures reach dangerous levels.

Additionally, both APS and SRP have programs intended to assist vulnerable residents, offering options that allow family or friends to manage accounts or receive billing notifications on behalf of the primary customer. These efforts are part of ongoing initiatives to address energy security in the face of extreme temperatures.