‘It’s just cruel’: US households that had electricity shut off surged amid record hot summer

Utility companies cut off many Americans’ access to air conditioning and power this summer – even as dangerous heat baked communities. Utility companies cut off many Americans’ access to air conditioning and power this summer – even as dangerous heat baked communities. Extreme heat ‘It’s just cruel’: US households that had electricity shut off surged amid record hot summer Utility disconnections were up 28% in 10 states in July 2026 – the hottest month ever recorded in the US – compared to July 2024, data shows

Prefer the Guardian on Google A record hot summer collided unhappily with rising energy costs for households across the US that struggled to the point where many were disconnected from their electricity supply, even as dangerous heat baked their communities.