The Kansas Cold Weather Rule designed to help Kansans who are behind on their utility payments avoid disconnection during the winter month begins tomorrow November 1, 2024.
While the Cold Weather Rule is in effect, utility companies cannot disconnect a customer's service when the local temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees within the following 48-hour period. The Cold Weather Rule also requires utility companies to offer a 12-month payment plan to allow consumers to maintain or re-establish service. Any residential customer with a past due balance will qualify for payment arrangements. It is the responsibility of the customer to contact the gas or electric company to make arrangements.
The Cold Weather Rule applies only to residential customers of electric and natural gas utility companies under the jurisdiction of the Kansas Corporation Commission, however many municipal utilities and cooperatives have similar winter weather policies. The Cold Weather Rule will remain in effect through March 31st.
The KCC is the agency that regulates public utilities in the state and implemented the rule in 1983 to prevent utility companies from disconnecting a customer's natural gas or electric service during periods of extreme cold.
