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Utility Shutoffs Banned During Heat Wave

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Maryland Public Service Commission wants to remind residents that public utilities are barred from shutting off electrical service or gas service used for cooling during the heat wave.

The PSC said Thursday that if the temperature is forecast to be 95 degrees or higher during the next 72 hours, a utility may not cut off a customer's service for failure to pay.

Utilities can terminate service for theft of service or to respond to unsafe conditions.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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