PSC Issues Mid-Season Reminder on Cold Weather Rule

LINCOLN – Although residents have enjoyed some unseasonably warm temperatures recently, the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) is reminding natural gas customers to plan ahead for more winter-like conditions and that the PSC’s Cold Weather  Rule remains in place through March.

The Cold Weather Rule takes effect each year from Nov. 1 through March 31 and applies to customers of the state’s jurisdictional natural gas utilities, Black Hills Energy and NorthWestern Energy. During this period, the utilities may not disconnect natural gas service without providing customers an additional 30 days to pay beyond the normal bill due date.

The PSC is offering this reminder so customers can prepare before colder temperatures return and heating demand increases.

“Even when temperatures feel more like fall than winter, it’s important for customers to plan ahead,” said PSC Chair Tim Schram, District 3. “Cold weather in Nebraska is not a matter of if, but when, and understanding these protections now can help households avoid difficult situations later in the season.”

The PSC adopted the Cold Weather Rule more than 20 years ago when it assumed regulatory oversight of Nebraska’s jurisdictional natural gas utilities. Municipally-owned natural gas utilities, such as Metropolitan Utilities District serving Omaha, are not regulated by the PSC and are not required to comply with the rule.

The PSC encourages customers who anticipate difficulty paying winter heating bills to contact their utility provider early to discuss payment plans or assistance options.

“Unseasonably warm days can provide a window to get ahead of winter energy costs,” said Nichole Mulcahy, director of the PSC Natural Gas Department. “Reaching out now, before the next cold snap, can help customers set up a plan and avoid unnecessary service disruptions.”

Customers may also be eligible for assistance through programs such as Salvation Army HeatShare and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Additional information is available on the PSC Natural Gas Department’s consumer webpage or by contacting [email protected].

In addition to understanding customer protections, the PSC also encourages consumers to leverage this milder weather to take steps that can reduce energy use once temperatures drop.
Some easy cost-cutting and energy-saving tips from industry experts include:
• Setting thermostats to 68 degrees or lower
• Lowering temperatures when not at home
• Opening drapes during the day to take advantage of natural heat from sunlight and closing them at night to keep in the warmth
• Cleaning or replacing furnace filters regularly
• Dressing warmly indoors to avoid raising the thermostat
• Keeping air vents clear and unobstructed by furniture or other objects
• Sealing air leaks around doors and windows
• Participating in a budget billing program
• Conducting a home energy audit

By staying aware of the Cold Weather Rule and practicing energy-saving habits, customers can help manage winter heating costs while maintaining safe and reliable natural gas service.