Washington, D.C., July 3, 2026 (PR) - Climate advocacy organization 350.org has called on the US Congress to impose an immediate ban on electricity shutoffs for households unable to pay their utility bills during extreme heat and to place a moratorium on the construction of new data centers, arguing that both measures are necessary to protect public health amid a dangerous nationwide heatwave.
According to the organization, nearly 160 million Americans are expected to experience hazardous temperatures over the Fourth of July holiday, with some areas forecast to exceed 113 degrees Fahrenheit. The group warned that prolonged exposure to extreme heat, combined with the loss of electricity and air conditioning, could pose a serious threat to vulnerable populations, including older adults, pregnant women and young children.
350.org said electricity grid operators have already urged consumers to reduce power consumption to avoid blackouts as demand continues to surge. At the same time, the organization noted that utility companies in 27 states can legally disconnect electricity service for customers who fail to pay their bills. With residential electricity costs projected to be 8.5 percent higher than last summer, the group said many families could face difficult choices between paying energy bills and meeting other essential household expenses.
The organization argued that the growing pressure on the electricity grid is being driven largely by the rapid expansion of energy-intensive data centers. It said electricity demand in eastern and midwestern states has increased dramatically over the past five years, with data centers accounting for much of the additional consumption. Citing an independent market monitor, 350.org claimed that data center growth has contributed significantly to higher electricity prices and tighter power supplies across the region.
The group also linked the current heatwave to climate change, referring to a recently released scientific study that concluded the record-breaking humid heat affecting the United States would have been “virtually impossible” without human-induced climate change driven largely by fossil fuel emissions.
350.org Energy Affordability Campaigns Manager Candice Fortin said no American should face life-threatening consequences because they cannot afford an electricity bill. She stressed that air conditioning is a critical necessity during extreme heat rather than a luxury and argued that households should not bear the burden of rising energy demand created by large-scale data centers.
Fortin called for a temporary halt to new data center construction to allow policymakers and communities time to establish regulations governing their impacts on electricity, water and land resources. She also urged every US state to prohibit electricity disconnections during periods of extreme heat as an emergency public safety measure.
The organization further noted that major technology companies, including Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Meta, reported combined net profits exceeding $80 billion during the first quarter of 2026, while investor-owned utility companies also continued to generate substantial returns. It argued that these companies have the financial capacity to absorb delays while governments develop policies to better manage energy demand.
Concluding its appeal, 350.org said the current heatwave offers a glimpse of the climate-related challenges Americans are likely to face in the years ahead. The organization urged policymakers to prioritize public safety over corporate interests, emphasizing that access to clean, reliable and affordable electricity should be treated as a basic right rather than a privilege.
