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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
