An Arizona woman died after her power was cut over a $51 debt. That forced utilities to change
The death of an older Arizona woman when her electricity was cut during a heat spell five years ago spurred changes in shutoff rules
PHOENIX — Stephanie Pullman died on a sweltering Arizona day after her electricity was cut off because of a $51 debt.
Five years later, the 72-year-old's story remains at the heart of efforts to prevent others in Arizona from having their power cut off, leaving them without life-saving air conditioning in temperatures that have topped 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius) on every day this month.
“Stephanie Pullman was the face of the fight that helped put the disconnect rules in place for the big, regulated utilities in Arizona,” said Stacey Champion, an advocate who pushed for new regulations. “But we need more.”
Arizona Public Service, known as APS, disconnected Pullman's power in September 2018 at a time when outside temperatures in her retirement community west of Phoenix reached 107 degrees Fahrenheit (41.6 Celsius). Just days before, a $125 payment was made toward Pullman's past-due bill of $176.
Her body was found inside her home during a subsequent wellness check.
The medical examiner’s office said Pullman died from “ environmental heat exposure ” combined with cardiovascular disease after the shutoff.
Like many older residents of Phoenix-area retirement communities, Pullman was a native Midwesterner, living alone after moving from Ohio, where her family remains.
Details about Pullman's life are sketchy because her family cannot discuss the case under a private legal settlement with APS.
“I can't talk,” Pullman's son, Tim Pullman, said when reached by telephone in Ohio.
Champion said the family also suddenly stopped talking to her after the 2019 settlement.
APS didn't address
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