The state’s Cold Weather Rule takes effect this week.
The Cold Weather Rule prevents utility companies from shutting off services to customers if the temperature goes below 35 degrees or is forecasted to be in the low-to-mid 30s for at least a 24-hour period.
Customers who may be behind on their payments will have the option of spreading past due amounts over a 12-month period, and the burden is on customers to make those arrangements to avoid shutoffs and related restart fees. Utilities, meanwhile, have to send written notice 10 days before shut-off and also call the day beforehand to alert customers.
The rule ends March 31 and comes at a time when electric heating costs are expected to rise as much as 8 percent over last year. Natural gas heating costs could be 33 percent higher. If the weather is colder than expected, those costs could rise more.
For more information, call the Kansas Corporation Commission at 800-662-0027 or your utility provider.
