The Missouri Public Service Commission’s Cold Weather Rule will take effect on Tuesday November 1st. The Cold Weather Rule applies to natural gas and electric utilities under PSC jurisdiction that provide heat-related service. The Cold Weather Rule prohibits the disconnection of heat-related service when the temperature is predicted to drop below 32 degrees during the following 24-hour period. It also allows more lenient payment terms and allows customers to budget payments over 12 months, it requires the customer to be notified of possible financial help in paying the utility bill and allows for the reconnection of service for less than the full amount owed. The rule will remain in effect through March 31st, 2023. Municipally operated systems, cooperatives, and those that provide propane delivered by truck are not under PSC jurisdiction and are not required to follow the cold weather rule. www.psc.mo.gov
If a customer is faced with a heat-related utility bill that cannot be paid in full, it is important to contact the utility company immediately.