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As temperatures have hovered in the 90s in recent weeks, heat is becoming as deadly as cold in some parts of the country, while keeping a home cool is becoming more expensive. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says 2024 is predicted to be an unusually hot summer for most of the country. West Virginia and portions of the Northeast are predicted to get the worst of it.
Meanwhile, the National Energy Assistance Directors Association and the Center for Energy Poverty and Climate have put together a report that suggests the financial burden for families to keep cool this summer will increase by 7.9% to an average of $719 from June through September. But West Virginia is among the states where the cost is expected to increase to an average of $792. Though the Mountain State is among those with winter shutoff protections for low-income utility customers, it is not among those with summer protections.
But what else can we do? In the report, the NEADA and CEPC recommend options ranging from bill payment assistance and shutoff protections to restoring federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
While policymakers and elected officials look for a solution on their end (and they must), the rest of us can keep an eye on neighbors just as we would in the winter months.
Are you able to drive someone to an air-conditioned location (or provide one)? The AARP suggests making a list of people to check on during extreme heat. Find a list of steps to take here: https://createthegood.aarp.org/volunteer-guides/stay-cool-extreme-heat.html.
Hot or cold, we've must look out for one another.