The outlet noted that the family was reportedly using a generator in the home after their electricity was cut off due to an unpaid bill.
NC Newsline noted that family members claim the Swanns tried to prevent the electricity shutoff with a partial payment, but the city utility denied the request, citing a requirement of either the full past-due amount or a three-month plan to pay off the entire balance.
The outlet reported that Senator Natalie Murdock said hearing of the family’s passing gave her chills.
“I would hope that we would dream of a world where no one dies simply because they’re behind on their energy bill,” Murdock said. “That’s just not acceptable.”
NC Newsline reported that Murdock, along with other lawmakers, filed a bill this year banning utility companies from shutting off power for nonpayment during periods of extreme heat. That bill was never given a hearing by lawmaker leaders.
Funny how that works. People in the pocket of the local electricity giant, Duke energy (2025 profit of 23.196 Billion dollars), can just stop legislation without even hearing it. Funny thing, how capitalism effects democracy like that. We have rules around not cutting off power during bouts of extreme cold, well heat can be just as deadly. So what the fuck are we doing?
One of my neighbors got into a pickle paying their electric bill, and figured it out after a few months, and they were relying on a generator that they (thankfully) operated outside of their home. The noise was a little annoying, but what’s more annoying is the callous disregard for human life that these pathetic men in power have.
up north we have such a thing in the winter for electric utilities. no shutoffs from like october to april.