News Release 05-17

KCC's Cold Weather Rule starts November 1

The Kansas Corporation Commission wants to remind the public that the Cold Weather Rule, which sets conditions for consumers who are having difficulty paying their bill to maintain or reestablish utility service during the winter, starts Tuesday, November 1.

The Cold Weather Rule goes into effect November 1 and runs through March 31. The rule is designed to minimize the risk to human health and life during the winter months due to disconnection of utility service for non-payment of bills. Guidelines generally prohibit disconnection of residential service during extremely cold periods and require that utility companies offer a 12-month payment plan for past and current bills to allow customers to maintain or reestablish service.

Important conditions of the rule are:

Service disconnections are prohibited when the temperature is forecast to fall below 35 degrees during the next 24 hours.

There must be a 48-hour forecast of temperatures of 35 degrees or above before the utility may begin disconnection procedures. The utility must contact the customer by telephone or personal visit to the residence 24 hours before disconnecting service.

To qualify for the benefits of the Cold Weather Rule payment plan, consumers must inform the utility that they cannot pay their bill in full.

Customers must pay one-twelfth of the total owed the company to maintain or restore service under the rule. After making the initial payment the customer must agree to pay the remaining balance in equal amounts over the next 11 months.

Consumers who have broken previous payment agreements or defaulted on an agreement during the cold weather period may re-qualify by paying the utility one-twelfth of the total amount owed for past and current consumption, the full amount of any disconnection or reconnection fees, plus any applicable deposit, and agreeing to pay the remaining balance over the next 11 months.

The Cold Weather Rule applies to all residential customers of electric and natural gas utility companies under the KCC's jurisdiction.

The KCC established the Cold Weather Rule to ensure that all Kansas customers have the electric and natural gas service needed to stay warm during the winter. The KCC also recognizes the customers' responsibility to pay for service used, and has addressed both of those concerns with the Cold Weather Rule.

Consumers need to begin planning and taking action now to prepare for winter gas heating bills. Electric and natural gas energy conservation and overall reduction of consumption can be achieved by setting the thermostat at a reasonable level, assuring that heating equipment is in good working order, caulking and weather-stripping windows and doorways, insulating exterior walls and spaces, etc. Consumers may also want to consider contacting their utility companies to arrange for an average or budget payment plan, which levelizes the monthly bill over a 12-month period.

For additional information, consumers may contact their local utility company or the Kansas Corporation Commission's Office of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at 1.800.662.0027 or in Topeka 271.3140.