2005 Minnesota Statutes

     216B.095 Disconnection during cold weather. 

    (a) The commission shall amend its rules governing 
 disconnection of residential utility customers who are unable to 
 pay for utility service during cold weather to include the 
 following: 

    (1) coverage of customers whose household income is less 
 than 50 percent of the state median income; 

    (2) a requirement that a customer who pays the utility at 
 least ten percent of the customer's income or the full amount of 
 the utility bill, whichever is less, in a cold weather month 
 cannot be disconnected during that month.  The customer's income 
 means the actual monthly income of the customer or the average 
 monthly income of the customer computed on an annual calendar 
 year, whichever is less, and does not include any amount 
 received for energy assistance; 

    (3) that the ten percent figure in clause (2) must be 
 prorated between energy providers proportionate to each 
 provider's share of the customer's total energy costs where the 
 customer receives service from more than one provider; 

    (4) verification of income by the local energy assistance 
 provider or the utility, unless the customer is automatically 
 eligible for protection against disconnection as a recipient of 
 any form of public assistance, including energy assistance, that 
 uses income eligibility in an amount at or below the income 
 eligibility in clause (1); 

    (5) a requirement that the customer receive referrals to 
 energy assistance, weatherization, conservation, or other 
 programs likely to reduce the customer's energy bills; and 

    (6) a requirement that customers who have demonstrated an 
 inability to pay on forms provided for that purpose by the 
 utility, and who make reasonably timely payments to the utility 
 under a payment plan that considers the financial resources of 
 the household, cannot be disconnected from utility service from 
 October 15 through April 15.  A customer who is receiving energy 
 assistance is deemed to have demonstrated an inability to pay. 

    (b) For the purposes of this section, "disconnection" 
 includes a service or load limiter or any device that limits or 
 interrupts electric service in any way. 

    HIST: 1989 c 338 s 1; 1989 c 356 s 59; 2001 c 212 art 4 s 1; 
 1Sp2003 c 11 art 3 s 1