News Releases

Cold Weather Rule expires April 15

Customers reminded to pay past due energy bill

MINNEAPOLIS - With Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule set to expire Tuesday (April 15), Xcel Energy advises customers to pay their overdue bills to avoid having their service disconnected.

“We appreciate and support the efforts of customers who have sought assistance and made consistent payments during the winter months,” said Pat Boland, who manages Xcel Energy’s credit policy and compliance area.  “We are committed to continue to work with customers to help them manage their bills.”

However, Xcel Energy is equally committed to managing costs associated with customers who have not addressed payment of their bills, Boland said.

“Such costs affect all other customers who have paid their bills on time,” he said. “While we recognize the financial challenges some of our customers have, it will be difficult to avoid service disconnection if previous payment arrangements have been broken or if no payments have been received for several months.”

Xcel Energy expects an increase in disconnections over the next several months due to nonpayment of bills. 

Customers with past due balances are encouraged to make payment before April 15.

Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule helps protect residential energy customers from service disconnections affecting their primary heating source. Developed by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, the rule is in effect annually from Oct. 15 through April 15.

For tips on saving energy, check out www.xcelenergy.com.