Shut-off Protection

Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule (CWR) is a state law that protects residential utility customers from having electric or natural gas service shut off between October 1 and April 30. To protect your service from disconnection you must make and keep a payment plan that you and your utility agree on. The utility must offer a payment plan that is reasonable for your household’s financial circumstances. You can set up a utility payment plan at any time throughout the year.

You are eligible for CWR protection even if you rent – the electricity or gas must be the primary heat source and the utility account must be in your name.

You and your utility must agree to a payment plan that is reasonable for your household. You can set up a utility payment plan at any time throughout the year.

All natural gas and electric utilities must offer CWR protection. CWR does not apply to delivered fuels; oil and propane or wood. If you use delivered fuels, and your furnace is run by electricity, you should apply for CWR protection with your electric company.

Call your natural gas, electric, municipal utility or electric cooperative for more information, or contact the Commission’s Consumer Affairs Office at consumer.puc@state.mn.us or  651-296-0406, 1-800-657-3782

Cold Weather Rule

Some customers find it hard to pay their utility bills in the winter. The state of Minnesota set up the Cold Weather Rule to protect residential, heat-affected customers who are unable to pay their utility bills from disconnection of service between Oct. 1 and April 30.

Cold Weather Rule Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Instructions for completing 2022-2023 Minnesota Energy Programs Application

Avoiding Disconnection

The Cold Weather Rule does not forbid disconnection. If you receive a disconnect notice in winter, you must act promptly and call City hall at 507-932-3020 to apply for Cold Weather Rule protection and set up a payment plan.

Your service will be subject to disconnection without further notice if you do not make the agreed upon payments. If you cannot keep your original payment plan, call City Hall immediately.

Reconnection

If your power is disconnected on Oct. 1 when the Cold Weather Rule takes effect, you can have your power reconnected by calling City Hall to set up a payment plan.

You must keep your payment plan to avoid future disconnection. Call City Hall immediately if you cannot keep your payment plan and make a new payment plan to avoid disconnection.

Payment Plan During Cold Weather Months

If your household income is:

  • At or below 50 percent of the state median income, you are not required to pay more than 10 percent of your monthly household income.
  • More than 50 percent of the state median income, you may make a payment plan with City Hall

Cold Weather Rule payment plans last until April 30 unless you make other arrangements with City hall. Your service could be disconnected if you have a past due balance on April 30 and do not make and keep a new payment plan.

Right to Appeal

If you and City Hall cannot agree on a payment plan, you have 10 days to appeal to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The MPUC will help you set up a payment plan, and your service will stay on during the appeal process.

If you have questions …

Please contact City Hall or visit MPUC’s Cold Weather Rule FAQs

Other Fuel/Heating Assistance Resources: