Arizona Utility Settles for $7M Over Deadly Heat-Related Power Shutoff

Arizona Public Service will pay $7 million and stop summer shutoffs after a fatal heat-related lawsuit.

Arizona Public Service (APS) reached a $7 million settlement with the family of Kate Korman, an 82-year-old who died after her electricity was cut during near-100-degree temperatures in May 2024.

The agreement prohibits APS from disconnecting power during extreme heat, marking a pivotal change in how the utility approaches customer safety in severe weather.

• "It's just tragic and frankly unacceptable that in this day and age, we are still seeing deaths related to utilities disconnecting people's electricity and power," said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, who also called for regulators to move from date- to temperature-based policies surrounding power disconnections (full remarks).
• APS stated that its disconnection policy was set after input from utilities, community groups, and advocates, noting, “We care about the safety and well-being of our customers.”
• Maricopa County reported 430 heat-related deaths in 2025—a drop from the 608 seen in 2024—amid rising utility demand and an all-time peak energy use record set on August 7, 2025, when Phoenix hit 118 degrees.

The settlement comes as extreme heat becomes more frequent and litigation risks rise for utilities nationwide, increasing pressure to align disconnection policies with evolving public health threats and regulatory expectations.