The numbers: In 2024, municipal utilities reported an average disconnection rate of 12.3%, while electric co-ops reported an average rate of 7.8%. That’s according to recently released EIA data analyzed by the Energy & Policy Institute. These organizations were led by: South Kentucky RECC (with 86 residential electric disconnections per 100 customers), Jackson County REMC (with 78 residential disconnections), and the City of Camilla in GA (with 77 residential disconnections).
On the IOU side: For that same year, US IOUs reported an average residential shutoff rate of 6.3%. The top-ranking IOUS: Public Service Company of Oklahoma (with 58 residential electric disconnections per 100 customers), Centerpoint Energy in TX (with 38 residential disconnections), and Oncor Electric Delivery in TX (with 36 residential disconnections).
The context: This is “the clearest look yet” at residential shutoff rates for customers late on bills, the Energy & Policy Institute wrote, and it highlights “the uneven patchwork of rules determined by state lawmakers and regulators.” For example, many states have protections that only apply to IOU customers—so people served by municipal and co-op utilities lack these legal defenses.
Molly Glick
Energy Central Team
Wed, Jun 24