Cold Weather Rule

What is it?

The Kansas Corporation Commission established the Cold Weather Rule in 1983 to protect human health and safety and to insure that Kansans have residential electric and gas services they need during the winter. The Cold Weather Rule is effective from November 1 through March 31.

Do I qualify?

Any residential customer with a past due balance will qualify for payment arrangements under the Cold Weather Rule. However, it is the customer's responsibility to contact the gas or electric company to make those arrangements.

Can I still be disconnected during the Cold Weather Rule?

Under certain circumstances, yes. The Cold Weather Rule is primarily designed to prevent disconnections during freezing weather; however, you need to know and understand the following rules to keep from being disconnected:

• A utility company cannot disconnect you when the temperature is forecasted to fall below 35 degrees or be in the mid- to low-30s in the next 24 hours.
• To keep from getting disconnected when it is 35 degrees or above, or to get reconnected regardless of temperature, you must make pay arrangements with your utility.
• A utility may start final notification and disconnection process if there is a 48-hour forecast of temperatures above 35 degrees. On the day before disconnection, a utility must attempt to contact you by phone. If that fails, they must go to the home and notify you or leave a message on the door. Some utilities have a third party notification plan.
• If the 48 hour forecast changes before the period ends and there is a forecast of below 35 degrees, the utility cannot disconnect until there is another Cold Weather Rule 48 hour forecast of temperatures above 35 degrees.

If you have questions, please call 1-800-662-0027.