Kansas Cold Weather Rule

The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) adopted a statewide, uniform Cold Weather Disconnection Rule on March 20, 1989. This rule governs termination or restoration of utility service when consumers are financially unable to pay utility bills from November 1 through March 31 annually.

Cooperative consumers who are unable to pay their electric service bills during the cold weather period may qualify for this program provided they fulfill certain good faith requirements when attempting to pay.

The following requirements must be met in order to qualify for the Cold Weather Rule:

• Consumers must notify the cooperative and state their inability to pay their service bill in full.
  
• Consumers must apply to federal, state, local or other financial assistance programs for which they may be eligible to receive aid in paying utility bills.
  
• Consumers must make an initial minimum payment equal to 1/12 of the total amount due the cooperative which includes any arrearage. Example: If a customer owed an arrearage of $200 and a current bill of $40, they would owe the cooperative a total of $240. The initial payment under the cold weather rule would be equal to $240 divided by 12, or $20.
  
• Consumers will be required to enter into a level payment plan agreement for past, current and future charges for electric service, with arrears paid in equal installments over the next 11 months. A consumer and the cooperative may negotiate other payment arrangements mutually agreeable, individualized to the consumer's situation, providing the most appropriate terms, after the consumer has been informed that he or she has at least 11 months in which to pay under the Cold Weather Plan. Consumers will be required to provide sufficient financial information to enable the cooperative to determine an appropriate payment agreement.

Please note that consumers may be ineligible for the benefits under the Cold Weather Disconnection Rule if they fail to follow the above requirements, illegally divert utility service, receive service by tampering (as defined by KCC rules), or default on a payment agreement.

During the cold weather period, your cooperative will do the following:

• inform you of agencies or organizations which may provide financial assistance in paying utility bills.
  
• not disconnect service until the consumer is personally contacted or a notice is posted on the consumer's premises the day before disconnection is to take place.
  
• provide the consumer with the telephone number of the Kansas Corporation Commission Consumer Protection Office prior to disconnection.

In no event will the cooperative disconnect service if the temperature is forecast to fall below 35 degrees F. or to be in the mid-30's or colder within 24 hours following the time of disconnection.

Your cooperative may have a third party notification program, whereby if you are notified that your electric service is subject to disconnection, a third party of your choice will be contacted. Contact your cooperative for more information. The Cold Weather Rule is to ensure that human health and safety are not unreasonably endangered during the cold weather months.