The Kansas Cold Weather Rule takes effect November 1 and remains in place through March 31.

Overseen by the Kansas Corporation Commission, the Cold Weather Rule prohibits utility companies from disconnecting a customer’s natural gas or electric service during periods of extreme cold. It also requires utility companies to offer a 12-month payment plan to allow consumers to maintain or re-establish utility service.

Disconnection Conditions:

• Utility companies may not initiate disconnection until temperatures are forecast to be above 35 degrees for the next 48 hours.
• Utility companies must contact the customer by phone or in-person 24 hours before disconnecting service.
• Utility companies are prohibited from disconnecting a customer’s service when temperatures are forecast to be at or below 35 degrees over the next 24 hours.

More information about the Cold Weather Rule is available at: https://kcc.ks.gov/pi/cwr_english.htm.  Kansans may also contact their local utility company.