During the period between October 15 and April 15, residential customers of Kandiyohi Power Cooperative follows the provisions of the Cold Weather Law in Minnesota Statute 2000, section 216B.097, subdivision 1.
Cold Weather Law helps Co-op members
with utility bills during winter months.
The Cold Weather Law, which is part of the Public Utilities Act, limits utilities from disconnecting a residential customer for nonpayment during the coldest months of the year. Your Cooperative strictly adheres to that law and offers sources of help for those unable to pay their bill. The law provides:
From October 15 through April 15, a Cooperative cannot disconnect a customer if it would affect that person’s primary heat source and if:
You declare an inability to pay.
Your total household income is less than 50 percent of the State Median Income.
Your account is current for the billing period immediately prior to Oct. 15, or if you have entered into a payment schedule and are reasonably current with your scheduled payments.
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 that may be of assistance in paying electric bills as follows:
Heartland Community Action Agency/Willmar
320-235-0850
1-800-992-1710
Renville County Energy Assistance Prog/Olivia
320-523-5522
1-800-363-2533
Prairie Five Community Action
320-269-7976
1-800-292-5437
The Cooperative will work with the customer and their local energy assistance providers to determine inability to pay.
A statement explaining available time payment plans and other opportunities to secure continued utility service.
Any residential customer whose service is or may be disconnected between Oct. 15 and April 15 may be reconnected or service continued if:
The outstanding balance is paid
OR
A mutually acceptable payment schedule is arranged.
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. If the unit is found to be occupied, the Cooperative will immediately inform the occupant of his or her rights under this policy. If the dwelling is unoccupied, the Cooperative will send written notice of the proposed disconnection to the local energy assistance provider.
Number of days after notification before disconnection. If
an involuntary disconnection is to occur between Oct. 15 and April 15, then the disconnection will not occur on a Friday or on the day before a holiday. Further, the disconnection will not occur until at least 20 calendar days after the notice and information required in paragraph two has been mailed to the customer or 15 calendar days after the notice and information has been personally delivered to the customer.
Any disputes over a residential customer’s inability to pay for service, income eligibility, a reasonable payment schedule or any other issue which a customer could raise under the Cold Weather Law may be appealed and 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 an appeal is pending.
The Cooperative will notify all residential members prior to Oct. 15 of its Cold Weather Law.
Kandiyohi Power Cooperative • 8605 47th Street NE • PO Box 40 • Spicer Mn 56288-0040
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