Make plans now to pay your bill to avoid being without electricity this winter.
The Cold Weather Rule was adopted to protect some people from having their primary source of electric heat disconnected between October 1 and April 30. However, this law doesn’t mean there won’t be disconnections.
Please read the full Cold Weather Rule summary below.
The law outlines that a person must be making regular payments or have set up a payment plan and be honoring those arrangements to avoid being disconnected. It is your responsibility to understand the Cold Weather Rule and the personal responsibilities that come with the protections it provides. Meeting these obligations is important to avoid disconnections as McLeod Co-op Power will be doing disconnects this winter in accordance with the law.
It is up to the member to make payment arrangements or seek assistance to avoid disconnection. Please do not wait. The sooner you contact us, the greater the chance you will have electricity all winter long. Call today at 320.864.3148 or 1.800.494.6272 for details about applying for shut-off protection or to make a reasonable payment arrangement.
Cold Weather Rule Summary
The Cold Weather Rule, which is part of the Public Utilities Act, prohibits utilities from disconnecting a residential customer for nonpayment during the coldest months of the year if the customer has met the requirements under item 1 below. Your Cooperative strictly adheres to that law and offers sources of help for those unable to pay their bill.
The law reads as follows:
- An electric cooperative must not disconnect and must reconnect the utility service of a home between October 1 and April 30 if the disconnection affects the primary heat source for the residential unit and all of the following conditions are met:
- Your total household income is less than 50 percent of the State Median income.
- You have contacted MCPA, have set up a payment arrangement, and are reasonably current with your scheduled payments.
lf all of these items are not satisfied the electricity may be shut off due to non-payment.
- Before disconnecting service to a residential customer during the cold weather months, the Cooperative will provide the following information to the customer:
- Notice of the proposed disconnection.
- A statement of the customer’s rights and responsibilities.
- A list of local energy assistance providers.
- A statement explaining available time payment plans and other options to secure continued utility service.
- lnability to pay forms are available upon request.
- Any residential customer whose service is disconnected on Oct. 1 when the cold weather rule takes effect may be reconnected if:
- The outstanding balance is paid.
- A mutually acceptable payment schedule is arranged.
Our members are important to Mcleod Cooperative Power. We would rather work with you to set up a plan to pay your bill than disconnect your service.
- The Cooperative will not disconnect service to a residential customer who has not responded to a disconnection notice without first investigating whether the dwelling is actually unoccupied. This investigation shall include a personal visit to the dwelling. lf the unit is found to be occupied, the Cooperative will immediately inform the occupant of his or her rights under this policy.
- lf an involuntary disconnection is to occur between Oct. 1 and April 30, then the disconnection will not occur on a Friday or on the day before a holiday.
- Any disputes over a residential customer’s inability to pay for service, income eligibility, reasonableness of payment schedule or any other issue which a customer could raise under the Cold Weather Rule shall be referred for hearing, after reasonable notice, to the Cooperative’s Board of Directors. The Cooperative and the customer shall have the right to present evidence and be heard in person at that hearing. The Cooperative’s Board of Directors shall issue a written decision within 10 days after the hearing. No disconnection shall occur while a dispute is pending.
- The Cooperative will notify all members, prior to Oct. 1, of its Cold Weather Rule. Names and contact numbers for energy assistance providers are listed on this page.
Attention military personnel
Minnesota law provides that a public utility must not disconnect the utility service of a residential member for nonpayment, that has been issued orders into active military duty, for deployment or for a permanent change in duty station, provided that they enter into an agreement with the utility to make payments towards their bill. Forms are available upon request.
Energy Assistance Providers
The list of agencies who can provide assistance to qualifying residents having trouble paying their bill is on this page and is also listed on the back of any electric bill with a delinquent balance.
Kandiyohi, Mcleod & Meeker Counties
United Community Action Partnership
PO Box 1359
200 4th St. 5W
Willmar, MN 56201
Toll-free: 1.800.992.1710
218 Main St. S.
Suite 108
Hutchinson, MN 55350
Mcleod: 1.800.829.2132
McLeod County Area
McLeod County Social Service Center
1805 Ford Avenue North
Glencoe, MN 55336
320.864.3144
Hutchinson Toll-free: 320-484-4330
Toll-free: 1.800.247.1756
Renville County Area
Renville County Energy Assistance Program
105 S. 5th Street
Suite 203H
Olivia, MN 56277
320.523.2202
Toll-free: 1.800.363.2533
Sibley County Area
Sibley County Public Health & Human Services
111 8th Street
Gaylord, MN 55334
507.237.4000
Toll-free: 866.396.9963
MN Valley Action Council
110 6th Street
P.O. Box 87
Gaylord, MN 55334
507.237.2981
706 N. Victory Dr.
Mankato, MN 56001
507.345.6822
Toll-free: 1.800.767.7139
Carver County Area
Scott-Carver-Dakota Community Action Agency
712 Canterbury Road South
Shakopee, MN 55379
Wright County Area
Wright County Community Action
130 West Division Street
Maple Lake, MN 55358