Minnesota Cold Weather Rule goes into effect October 1st | News [Video]

ROCHESTER, Minn.-With colder months on their way, utility companies in Minnesota want customers to protect themselves from high costs.

The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule is a state law that protects residents from being disconnected from utilities in the winter months. Without this protection, many low-income families may have trouble paying their bills.

Rochester Public Utilities interim director of customer relations Patty Hanson says, “If they don’t come in and they don’t protect themselves over the winter months, come May 1st they could easily be at the top of the list and get disconnected right away and we don’t want that.”

Anyone can apply for assistance under the cold weather rule, you just need to meet a few conditions: 

1. Household income needs to be at or below 50% of the state median income

2. Make reasonably timely payments under an agreement

3. Receive a referral for energy assistance

If you need assistance, what you’ll end up paying will depend on what you owe.

Hanson says, “It …