News Releases

Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule takes effect Oct. 15

MINNEAPOLIS - Xcel Energy reminds its Minnesota residential customers who may have trouble paying energy bills that beginning Sunday, Oct. 15, the Cold Weather Rule will be in place to help protect them from service disconnection during the winter — as long as they take a few steps to ensure that protection.

Under the rule, which was developed by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, residential energy customers are protected from service disconnection from Oct. 15 through April 15, provided the disconnection would affect the customer’s primary heating source. The customer also must:

• Qualify for an inability-to-pay plan, or
• Qualify for a 10-percent payment plan, or
• Mutually agree to a payment schedule.

To avoid disconnection, customers who receive a notice of proposed disconnection must promptly file a Cold Weather Rule Plan form or make arrangements to pay the balance. All households may request Cold Weather Rule protection when applying for Energy Assistance. 

Xcel Energy is committed to working with any household that may need assistance in making payment arrangements.

Xcel Energy residential customers in Minnesota recently received detailed information about the Cold Weather Rule with their energy bills. For more information, customers can call Xcel Energy’s 24-hour residential customer service line at 1-800-895-4999.