Cold Weather Law

CUSTOMER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
216B.097 Cold Weather Rule
A cooperative electric association must not disconnect the utility service of a residential customer during the period between October 15 and April 15 if the disconnection affects the primary heat source for the residential unit when the following conditions are met:

  (1) The customer has declared inability to pay on forms provided by the cooperative. For the purposes of this clause, a customer that is receiving energy assistance is deemed to have demonstrated an inability to pay.

  (2) The household income of the customer is less than 50 percent of the state median income.

  (3) Verification of income may be conducted by the local energy assistance provider or the cooperative, unless the customer is automatically eligible for protection against disconnection as a recipient of any form of public assistance, including energy assistance that uses income eligibility in an amount at or below the income eligibility in Item (2).

  (4) A customer, whose account is current for the billing period immediately prior to October 15 or who, at any time, enters into a payment schedule that considers the financial resources of the household and is reasonably current with payments under the schedule.

  (5) The customer receives referrals to energy assistance programs, weatherization, conservation, or other programs likely to reduce the customer’s energy bills.

Energy Assistance Providers

   You live in Becker or Mahnomen Counties Contact:

• Mahube Community Council, PO Box 747, Detroit Lakes, MN 56502, 218-847-1385
• Mahube Community Council, PO Box 78, Mahnomen, MN 56557, 218-935-5022
• Energy Assistance Program, 3303 US Hwy 59, Waubun, MN 56589, 218-473-2910
• Becker County Human Services, 712 Minnesota Ave, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501, 218-847-5628
• Mahnomen County Human Services, 311 North Main, Mahnomen, MN 56557, 218-935-2568

   You live in Clay County Contact:

• West Central Minnesota Communities Action Inc., 411 Industrial Park Blvd. PO Box 596
  Elbow Lake, MN 56531, 1-800-492-4805 or 218-685-4486
• Clay County Social Services, 715 11th Street No., Suite 502, Moorhead, MN 56560, 218-299-5200

   You live in Clearwater or E. Polk Counties Contact:

• Inter County Community Council, PO Box 187, Oklee, MN 56742, 218-796-5144
• Polk County Social Services, 612 N Broadway, Suite 110, Crookston, MN 56716, 218-281-3127

   You live in W. Polk or Norman Counties Contact:

• Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, 102 N Broadway, PO Box 607, Crookston, MN 56716, 1-800-584-7020 or 218-281-5832