The start of November marks the beginning of the Kansas Corporation Commission’s recognition of the Cold Weather Rule, designed to help Kansans behind on their utility payments avoid disconnection during the winter months.
The rule, in place from Nov. 1 to March 31, mandates a utility company cannot disconnect a customer’s service when local temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees within the following 48-hour period. It was first enacted in Kansas in 1983 to prevent such disconnection during periods of extreme cold. Any residential customer with a past due balance qualifies for payment arrangements. It is the customer’s responsibility to then to contact their gas or electric company to avoid such a disconnection and related restart fees.
Payment plan terms to maintain or restore service require customers agree to pay 1/12th of the total amount owed, 1/12th of the current bill, the full amount of any disconnection or reconnection fee, plus any applicable deposit to the utility.
More information can be found via the KCC website.
