City of Lanesboro, Minn.
 
City of Lanesboro, Minn. Lanesboro, MN
 

Notification of Cold Weather Law:

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Cold Weather Rule provides that from October 15th through April 15th a utility cannot disconnect a utility customer for nonpayment if you enter into a mutually agreed upon payment arrangement with the utility.

The State of Minnesota requires the City to inform our electric utility customers of your rights and responsibilities under the Cold Weather Law. These rights and responsibilities are designed to help you with high winter electric bills. You must act PROMPTLY. If you choose not to assert your rights or choose not to enter into a mutually acceptable payment schedule your service may be disconnected.

Section 1. (Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 216B.097, COLD WEATHER LAW, COOPERATIVE AND MUNICIPAL UTILITIES)

Subdivision 1. (APPLICATION: NOTICE TO RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS)

a) A municipal utility must not disconnect the utility service of a residential customer if the disconnection affects the primary heat source for the residential unit WHEN ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET:

  1. The disconnection would occur during; the period between October 15th and April 15th;
  2. The customer has declared inability to pay on forms provided by the utility.
  3. Your household income is less than 185% of the federal poverty level; (the customer must provide documentation of all household income to the utility when returning the inability to pay form)
  4. Your account is current for the billing period immediately prior to the October 15, or you have entered into a written payment schedule and are reasonably current with schedule payments.
  5. A municipal utility must between August 15th and October 15th of each year, notify all residential customers of the provisions of this section.

Subdivision 2. (NOTICE TO CUSTOMER FACING DISCONNECTION)

Before disconnecting service to a residential customer during the period between October 15th and April 15th, a municipal utility must provide the following information to a customer:

    1. A notice of proposed disconnection.
    2. A statement explaining the customer’s rights and responsibilities.
    3. A list of local energy assistance providers.
    4. Forms on which to declare inability to pay; and
    5. A statement explaining available time payment and other opportunities to secure continued utility service.

Subdivision 3. (RESTRICTIONS IF DISCONNECTION IS NECESSARY)

a) If a residential customer must be involuntarily disconnected between October 15th and April 15th for failure to comply with all the provisions of Subdivision 1, the disconnection must not occur on a Friday or on the day before a holiday. Further, the disconnection must not occur until at least 20 days after the notice required on Subdivision 2 has been mailed to the customer or 15 days after the notice has been personally delivered to the customer.

IF YOU CAN NOT PAY YOUR BILLS AND NEED TO MAKE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO SPREAD YOUR PAYMENTS PLEASE STOP IN THE CITY OFFICE AND FILL OUT “INABILITY TO PAY DECLARATION FORM” IF YOU QUALIFY AS STATED ABOVE. THE UTILITY HAS THE RIGHT TO DISCONNECT YOUR UTILITIES IF THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT FULFILLED!
QUESTIONS? Call the Lanesboro Public Utilities Office at (507) 467-3722
 
City of Lanesboro, Minn.
City of Lanesboro
Steven L. Rahn, Mayor | Bobbie Vickerman, City Administrator
202 Parkway Avenue South - - Lanesboro, MN 55949
507-467-3722 | lanesboro@acegroup.cc