Rep. Sylvester Turner fights the heat

AUSTIN (KXAN) - For Texans worried about the air going out in the scorching heat because of delayed payment, Houston State Rep. Sylvester Turner is working on keeping it cool.

The Public Utility Commission of Texas will consider Thursday Turner's request to forbid electric companies from shutting off electricity during extremely hot weather.

"The elderly and poor often turn off their air conditioners because they cannot pay the high electric bills in extremely hot weather," said Turner. "I don't want anyone to suffer or die because they cannot pay their bills."

Turner said mandating electric companies to suspend disconnection during high temperatures is the right thing to do. Turner said he is especially concerned since heat has been ruled as a contributing factor in the death last month of a Houston man whose air conditioning was not working.

Advocacy groups join Turner in his petition. Among the groups are AARP , Texas ROSE , Texas Legal Services and One Voice Texas .

Turner acquired the support of 14 of his House colleagues, two members of the Senate , the City of Houston , the City of Fort Worth and various other concerned citizens and advocacy groups.