As the heat turns U.S. into an oven, millions of Americans at risk of power cutoffs
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A punishing heat wave has led to record-high temperatures across much of the U.S., with more than 180 million people living under a heat advisory on Friday. At the same time, the nation is suffering from a "power disconnection crisis," with millions at risk of having their electricity turned off because of overdue bills, researchers say. About 1 in 4 Americans is uncertain about being able to to pay household energy bills, with low-income people most at risk of having their utilities disconnected, according to Sanya Carley, a professor of energy policy and city planning at the University of Pennsylvania. Last year, energy utilities cut off power to about 3 million households, she noted. But even more households could be at risk this summer given the soaring mercury and the impact of inflation and higher energy costs, deepening the financial woes of many Americans, Carley said. Only 19 states restrict summer shutoffs of utilities, meaning most people live in stat