Local & Community
California Lowers Heat Threshold for Utility Shutoff Protections, Expanding Relief for Coachella Valley Residents
As summer temperatures continue to climb across the Coachella Valley, a new statewide rule is expanding protections designed to keep the power on for some of California's most vulnerable residents.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has lowered the temperature threshold that prevents electric utilities from disconnecting service for nonpayment during extreme heat, a move aimed at protecting households from dangerous conditions as temperatures rise.
For many in the Coachella Valley, where 90-degree days are common throughout much of the year, the change could make a significant difference.
Previously, utilities were prohibited from shutting off power for eligible customers when temperatures reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Following a unanimous vote by the CPUC earlier this month, that threshold has been lowered to 90 degrees based on the Cal Heat Index, a daily forecasting system that measures the health risks associated with extreme heat.
The updated rule follows a state law passed in 2024 requiring electric utilities to strengthen consumer protections during periods of extreme heat.
Consumer advocates say the expanded protections recognize the growing health risks posed by rising temperatures across California.
Southern California Edison, one of the utilities required to comply with the new rule, says disconnecting service for nonpayment is already considered a last resort.
The utility says it offers customers several options before disconnection, including payment arrangements, financial assistance programs and bill management resources designed to help families avoid losing service.
As the primary electricity provider for much of the western Coachella Valley, Southern California Edison says summer is consistently the most expensive time of year for customers as air conditioning use drives up energy demand.
With triple-digit temperatures remaining a regular part of desert summers, many Coachella Valley residents say the expanded protections come at a critical time.
State regulators hope the updated policy will help prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths by ensuring vulnerable Californians can continue using essential cooling during dangerous weather, even if they are struggling to keep up with their electric bills.
By: Alondra Campos
July 23, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) John Moreno Jr. with the TFL 2) Kingston Pellum with the snag or, 3)Parker Lewis with the interception #hondaofthedesert #fnl #fridaynightlights #fyp #highschoolfootball
Pride weekend brought the party to the pool at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs! David Reese stopped by the annual GED Magazine pool party, where an estimated 1,000 people gathered to celebrate community, inclusivity and Pride. The festivities continue with more events, including the Locker Room after-hours party and the Refresh pool party following Sunday’s parade. #PalmSpringsPride #PrideWeekend #AceHotel #GEDMagazine #NBCPalmSprings
@chef_matthew_resler executive chef and partner of @ashandvine.restaurant sits down with us to talk about his life as a marine sniper and law enforcement officer, family dinner at his Italian household, cooking on tour with Jason Aldean, how cooking food brings him out of his shell, and a friendship with two co-workers that blossomed into a must try restaurant in downtown Palm Springs. The full episode is on our YouTube page and nbcpalmsprings.com #palmspringsrestaurant #palmspringsfood #coachellavalleyrestaurant
Palm Springs Pride is officially underway and many local businesses are already looking ahead at the major economic boost this annual event brings every year. Our @newsbyalondra will have live coverage at 4:30, 5 and 6 p.m on air and online where she’ll speak to business owners about how they prep for the big crowds.
A federal judge blocked construction of President Trump’s 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery for 14 days, less than an hour after the project won final approval despite hours of public opposition.
Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed called Vice President JD Vance “habibi” during his victory speech. But the Arabic term of affection can have very different meanings depending on the context. CNN’s Leila Gharagozlou explains.
CRIME: Where do you stand on the death penalty? A sweeping decision impacting hundreds of California inmates: Governor Gavin Newsom is commuting the death sentences of ALL 548 people on California’s death row, changing their punishment to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin is speaking out, accusing Newsom of injecting politics into the criminal justice system. What does this mean for California’s death penalty moving forward? We’re following the latest developments.
Watch the Palm Springs Pride Parade LIVE this Sunday at 10 AM on NBC Palm Springs’ Facebook and YouTube channels! Join hosts Thalia Hayden and NBC Palm Springs News Director David Reese for all the parade excitement, live from Palm Springs. Can’t make it in person? Celebrate with us online! Livestream sponsored by @DAP Health #PalmSpringsPride #PrideParade #NBCPalmSprings
Honor our veterans and get moving at the 3rd Annual Indio Veterans Day 5K & 10K Run! Join the community Wednesday, November 11, at the Empire Polo Club for a morning of fitness, fun and recognition of the men and women who have served our country. Register now and save $10 on your registration fee with promo code NBCUniversal. See you at the starting line! #Indio #VeteransDay #VeteransDay5K #VeteransDay10K #CoachellaValley #NBCPalmSprings
CNN’s Annie Grayer goes inside a ballot-counting center in Mississippi as absentee ballots are counted. Democratic candidate Scott Colom and the state’s incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith are locked in a razor-thin Senate race following Tuesday’s election.