The Cold Weather Rule, designed to protect Kansans who are behind on their utility payments from disconnection during winter, begins tomorrow and will remain in effect until March 31. Under this rule, utility companies cannot disconnect service if local temperatures are forecasted to drop below 35 degrees within the next 48 hours. Implemented by the Kansas Corporation Commission in 1983, the rule aims to prevent disconnections during extreme cold.

In addition, the Cold Weather Rule mandates that utility companies offer a 12-month payment plan for customers to maintain or restore service. Any residential customer with an overdue balance is eligible for this plan, but it is the customer’s responsibility to contact their utility provider to arrange it.

To maintain or restore service, customers must agree to pay one-twelfth of the total amount owed, one-twelfth of the current bill, any disconnection or reconnection fees, and any applicable deposit. The remaining balance is to be paid in equal installments over the following 11 months, in addition to the current monthly bill. While the Cold Weather Rule applies specifically to residential customers of electric and natural gas utilities regulated by the KCC, many municipal utilities and cooperatives have similar winter policies.