Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule (CWR) is a state law that protects residential utility customers from having electric or natural gas service shut off between October 1 and April 30. To protect service from disconnection individuals must make and keep a payment plan that is agreed upon between the customer and utility company. The utility company must offer a payment plan that is reasonable for each customer’s household’s financial circumstances. Individuals can set up a CWR payment plan at any time during the CWR season.

Renters are also eligible for the Cold Weather Rule – the electricity or gas must be the primary heat source and the utility account must be in the renter’s name.

It is a requirement for natural gas and electric utilities to offer CWR protection. The CWR does not apply to delivered fuels, oil propane, or wood. Individuals who have delivered fuels can still apply for the CWR if they have a furnace that is running by electricity.

Call your natural gas, electric, municipal utility or electric cooperative for more information, or contact the Commission’s Consumer Affairs Office at consumer.puc@state.mn.us or  (651)296-0406, 1(800)657-3782.