Utility Extreme Heat Shutoff Moratorium (House Bill 1329) prohibits electrical and water companies from involuntarily terminating utility service to any residential user due to lack of payment on any day for which the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued or has announced that it intends issue a heat-related alert, such as an excessive heat warning, a heat advisory, an excessive heat watch, or similar alert for the area in which the residential user’s address is located. The legislation protects all Washingtonians’ access to electric fans, working refrigerators, and running water during extreme heat, as well as air conditioning for residents with access. The moratorium would ensure that every Washingtonian has the ability to protect themselves against extreme heat. It does not prohibit utilities from shutting off power to prevent or mitigate forest fires.
Reporting requirements
The Extreme Heat Shutoff Moratorium requires on an annual basis that each publicly-owned utility with more than 25,000 electric customers or 2,500 water customers in Washington produce a report to the Department of Commerce that includes the total number of disconnections that occurred on each day for which the National Weather Service issued, or announced that it intended to issue, a heat-related alert.
Utilities with fewer than 25,000 retail electric customers or 2,500 water customers in Washington must provide similar information upon request by the Department of Commerce. Subject to availability, each utility must provide any other information related to utility disconnections that is requested by the Department of Commerce.
Reporting portal
All publicly-owned utilities with more than 25,000 electric customers or 2,500 water customers are required by ESHB 1329 to submit an annual report to Commerce that includes:
- Disconnections due to non-payment that occurred on each day for which the national weather service issued, or announced that it intended to issue, a heat-related alert, and
- (subject to availability) any other information related to disconnections requested by Commerce.
The Utility Extreme Heat Shutoff Moratorium Reporting Portal provides a standardized template for this annual reporting and provides users with National Weather Service alerts. The portal is now open and available for use.
How to access the portal
- Request access using the Portal Access Request Form (Smartsheet)
- Login to the portal through Secure Access Washington (SAW)
The 2025 Utility Extreme Heat Shutoff Moratorium report is due Dec. 1, 2025.
- Electric utilities with fewer than 25,000 electric customers
- Water utilities with fewer than 2,500 water customers
These small utilities are not required, nor is Commerce asking them, to submit an annual report. Small utilities are subject to the other sections in the law.
Resources
Commerce hosted workshops on its reporting tool and key features. Meeting materials are below.