Arizona Corporation Commission Vice Chair Nick Myers has come under intense scrutiny following a series of contentious remarks regarding the death of 82-year-old Kate Korman of Sun City West, Arizona, after Arizona Public Service (APS) disconnected her electricity during extreme heat. Myers’ comments, made during a public exchange on social media, have drawn widespread criticism for their perceived insensitivity and deflection of responsibility.

The incident came to light when Jonathan Korman shared on X that his 82-year-old mother died after APS cut off her power during a period of triple-digit temperatures. Korman criticized Myers, whose role includes regulating utilities like APS, for failing to prevent such tragedies. The cutoff occurred on May 13, 2024, and Ms. Korman was found in her home, deceased, on May 19, 2024.

In response, Myers stated, “We did address it and trust me, I’m sure the family doesn’t want made public what we found. This is another case where the utility did above and beyond what they needed to, and more importantly, the shutting off of power for non-payment was NOT the cause of death.”

Korman’s brother, Adam, challenged Myers’ assertion, arguing that the power shutoff directly contributed to their mother’s death. Myers replied, “So you are really going to come after us, who have no control over the situation, when you failed to protect your own mother, even though there were multiple tools in place for you to use for that exact purpose?”

Further defending his stance, Myers added, “I’m not just blaming your mom—I’m more blaming you for not looking out for your elderly mom. I refuse to tell utilities that they have to provide power to people who do not pay their bills. To be honest, I’m not even happy about many of the programs they have in place to help, but I understand the need for them.”

Adam Korman responded, “What a weird & vile thing to say. I can’t go back in time to save my mom, but you, @votenickmyers, are in a position to prevent more deaths. Now it’s clear why you won’t do that—you think she deserved to die. I feel sad for you and the people of Arizona you represent.”

The exchange drew widespread backlash, with many accusing Myers of victim-blaming and failing to take responsibility for regulatory shortcomings.

Jonathan Korman expressed his dismay, “Gobsmacked to see one of the people responsible for regulating the power company which killed my mother blaming me and my brother for her death.”

Consumer advocate Stacey Champion also weighed in, questioning the effectiveness of current policies and advocating for stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents.

This controversy echoes previous tragedies, such as the 2018 death of 72-year-old Stephanie Pullman, who died from heat exposure after APS disconnected her power. That case prompted the Commission to adopt new rules in 2021 aimed at preventing shutoffs during extreme temperatures.

Myers continued to debate the exact cause of death publicly, but Champion countered, “She was on the CONFIRMED HEAT DEATH LIST. Again, every older person (including probably you) has underlying health conditions that extreme heat would exacerbate. You have no shame. No empathy. You have no business being an elected official & are disgraceful.”

Adam Korman added, “Heat wasn’t the sole cause of death, but the medical report says ‘environmental heat stress’ and ‘exposure to elevated temperatures’ (up to 102º in the days following her power being cut) contributed. If she had power, she wouldn’t have died when she did and in the way she did.”

Jonathan also stated, “Looking at that Medical Examiner’s report, it is easy to see that baking in the heat without air conditioning killed our mother—if it was not obvious from the fact that she died right after @apsFYI cut off her electricity.”

Myers, elected to the Arizona Corporation Commission in 2022, is known for opposing certain regulatory mandates, arguing that excessive regulation drives up consumer costs.

This recent exchange has intensified public scrutiny of the Commission’s policies and the balance between utility regulations and consumer protections.

Champion criticized current disconnection policies, stating, “Not giving the utilities the choice of temp-based vs. date-based would be a great starting point, along with making the rural electric co-ops follow the disconnect rules too.”

Myers dismissed these suggestions, replying, “Nope, that’s bad policy and I will not support it.”

Myers at one point said, “I did not know that, but I don’t feel it is my place, and possibly illegal, to discuss the account of a customer… Especially on social media, so I stand by my denial to discuss it.”

He then added, “Alcoholism killed her, not the utility.”

The deceased woman’s son responded to Myers’s accusation:

Public backlash has been swift and very public.

Senator Analise Ortiz weighed in on X, posting, “Disgusting to see an elected official speak this way to a family who lost a loved one after APS shut off her power. You should focus on your job of regulating utility monopolies instead of blaming this family and adding to their grief.”

Writer Shana Schwarz, a resident of Gilbert, AZ, wrote on X, “I cannot believe what this elected official felt comfortable saying on a public platform about the death of an elderly constituent who died after her power was cut off. Do these people not receive media training? Or, you know, have a conscience?”

Lawyer Tom Ryan (@tomryanlaw) likewise expressed outrage: “When you are a Corporation Commissioner and you don’t know your job is to serve Arizonans, what kind of ignorant hateful thing might you say?”

Jacob Pritchett, Director of Communications for the Arizona Talks Foundation, posted some advice on X for all elected officials: “There are some times when, as an elected official, the best thing to do might be to STFU.”

Current APS Policy on Heat-Related Shutoffs:

APS is prohibited from disconnecting customers for non-payment during extreme heat. As of the 2021 rules adopted by the Arizona Corporation Commission, utilities are barred from shutting off electricity between June 1 and October 15 if the forecasted high temperature is expected to reach or exceed 95°F. However, critics argue these policies don’t go far enough, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly.

Adam Korman seemed to push for changes to avoid this from happening in the future.

The Globe requested a comment from Mr. Myers, but has yet to receive a response.