Could New Laws Be Changing Your Essential Utilities? Here's What We Found

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From flooding in Vermont to fires in California, hurricanes in Florida to tornadoes in Michigan, no matter where you live it's becoming clearer every day that extreme weather is the new normal. Climate change is a complex and divisive concept because of scientific uncertainties driven by special interests, the rippling economic impact of changing industry standards, and just plain misinformation. Although it's as difficult to predict the next catastrophic storm as it is for your local weatherman to give you a 100% accurate forecast for next week, one thing is certain: New laws in states across the country aiming to address air conditioning mandates, disconnection restrictions, and water contamination policies will have an impact on your essential utilities in the future.

Laws vary widely across the country, but in places that have experienced more than their fair share of extreme weather events, like Texas and California, regulatory changes are becoming more common. For example, although the Texas legislature hasn't been able to force landlords across the state to provide air conditioning for all tenants, cities including Houston, Dallas, and now, Austin, have codified property maintenance rules that require functional cooling systems. If you're a renter in one of these Texas cities, or in states with similar laws including Arizona, Florida, or Kansas, it's important to understand your tenants rights — especially as summer approaches. The list of Real Estate Rental Laws from Doorloop is a terrific resource. You may also want to consult House Digest's comprehensive article on what you can legally ask your landlord to improve or replace.

Several states have also implemented laws that prohibit disconnecting gas or electricity services during extreme weather, even in the event of temporary non-payment. States including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, and Texas all prohibit utility disconnections during heat waves. The specifics vary from state to state, but generally protect consumers if temperatures are above 95° or if heat advisories have been issued. An even longer list of states has a similar prohibition on gas or electric service cutoffs during periods of freezing weather. You can visit your state's Public Service or Public Utilities Commission to learn more about the specifics in your area. In some states, like Missouri, utility providers must also provide options for budget billing and reconnection even if you're only able to make a partial payment. And if you or a loved one are elderly or disabled, make sure you register that way with your provider as this status may afford you additional protections.

For most of us, heating and cooling costs are among the most essential utilities. Although laws prohibiting disconnection during the most dire weather conditions can help, there are other ways to reduce your energy costs at home on an ongoing basis. Consider investing in a programmable product like the Amazon Smart Thermostat or swapping any remaining incandescent bulbs for LED options that use far less energy. If your budget allows, renovating your windows can also make a serious dent in your utility bills over time.

It's not all good news when it comes to laws that will impact your essential utilities. In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized rules that regulate forever chemicals, which you've probably heard referred to as PFAS. Per- and polyfluorinated substances are synthetic chemicals found in everything from cookware to cleaning products. One study published by the U.S. Geological Survey determined that 45% of all tap water in the United States contains at least one of these harmful chemicals. According to the EPA, exposure can cause serious health problems. For this reason, a number of federal drinking water standards were recently enacted in an attempt to control the amount of PFAS that enter our public water systems. 

Although this is a laudable effort to ensure Americans have access to clean water, the costs of managing and mitigating contamination are extraordinary. Experts suggest both cleanup and ongoing operational costs to public water utility companies will exceed $7 billion annually. According to the American Water Works Association, 19 million households already face unaffordable water costs, and there are concerns that the new standards will force local water utilities to increase prices in communities across the country, including places where water costs already outpace inflation. To combat this cost of living increase, in addition to incorporating easy ways you can reduce your water footprint into your life, like fixing leaks or reusing towels, you can also reach out to your Congressional representative to demand that polluters be held financially responsible for PFAS cleanup costs instead of consumers.