At EEP, we envision a world without shutoffs. Here are some resources to advocate for an end to this inhumane practice.
Hone Your Counterargument
Arguments against shutoff abolition tend to fall into a few narrow categories:
i) We can’t afford it,
ii) People won’t pay their bills without the threat of shutoffs,
iii) We need to start with affordability,
iv) We already have shutoff protections.
We’ve been working to hone a compelling counterargument through these articles, presentations, and comments. These resources will give you some helpful background on the extent of the problem, the consequences of shutoffs, and why we can’t wait.
Articles
- Why Do We Still Have Energy Shutoffs? Another World is Possible. – Arguments against shutoff abolition and our rebuttals.
- Cal and Lena – Demonstrating how those who need energy benefits the most often can’t access them, while the wealthy easily capture clean energy subsidies.
- Energy Justice Scriptures poem – A poem by Justin Schott dedicated to 100 million souls held captive by the valley of the shadow of utility shutoffs.
- Shielding a Single Stone – One person’s experience navigating the utility system to try to keep the power on to one home.
Presentations
- Shutoff Primer
- Municipal shutoffs – Shutoffs are not just an IOU problem.
Comments to EIA
Includes recommendations, good foundational background on shutoff data and impacts, and three case studies.
Advocate for Shutoff Abolition
We believe each and every shutoff–perhaps 7 million per year–is inhumane, unnecessary, and threatens lives and wellbeing. Through our participation in public utility commission proceedings, we’ve learned a lot about advocating for shutoff abolition. In 2025, we released our IOU TKO Resource Hub, pulling together resources to share with allies. Here we have collected the pieces of our work focused on shutoffs.
Note: at this time, these resources are only available to frontline organizations and allies. The links below will lead you to a protected google drive. Please request access and drop us a line to let us know who you work for. Access the full IOU TKO Resource Hub here.
Shutoff Abolition IOU TKO Resources
Testimony
Note: In some cases, we have drawn attention to particular sections of the testimony. In others, our commentary on shutoffs is fairly widespread throughout the testimony and no page numbers are listed. You can also access our full compiled testimony, along with exhibits, rebuttal testimony, etc here.
- Ameren IL (2023) pg 6-10
- People’s Gas (2023) pg 11-28
- DTE Michigan Gas (2024)
- DTE Michigan Electric (2024)
- DTE Michigan (2025) pg 25-33 for an example of analysis
- Dominion VA (2023)
- Niagara Mohawk NY (2024) pg 50-60, 123-129
Want to discuss ending shutoffs in your community?
