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Cold Weather Rule
At Wright-Hennepin Electric (WH), we are committed to working with our members to avoid service disconnection. Minnesota state law provides protection during extreme weather conditions, but you must take action to qualify. If you need help paying your bill, financial assistance programs may be available.
Immediate Steps to Avoid Disconnection
Having trouble making payments?
- Please contact our Credit Department immediately at (763) 477-3000.
- You must make and keep a mutually acceptable payment arrangement with WH to maintain service and receive protection under state laws.
If you are unable to pay your bill in full:
You must complete an Inability to Pay Application to qualify for state protection during these periods.
The Cold Weather Rule (CWR) 216B.097
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 your service from disconnection you must make and keep a payment plan that you and your utility agree on.
The utility must offer a payment plan that is reasonable for your household's financial circumstances and ALL of the following statements must apply:
The household income of the customer is at or below 50% of the state median household income. The utility may verify income on forms it provides or obtain verification of income from the local energy assistance provider.
You enter into and make reasonably timely payments under a payment agreement that considers the financial resources of the household.
You complete and file with WH an Inability to Pay form.
You receive referrals to energy assistance, weatherization, conservation, or other programs likely to reduce your energy bills from WH.
Before disconnecting service between October 1 and April 30, electric companies must provide you with:
Notice of disconnection.
Payment plan options to stop a disconnection.
Information on how you can appeal if you and the utility cannot agree on a payment plan.
A list of local energy assistance and weatherization providers, and a list of no-cost and low-cost methods to conserve energy.
A third party notice form. The utility will send copies of notice to the person listed as your third party to help you stay connected. The third party is not responsible for paying any bills.
While Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule offers protections, it does not completely eliminate winter disconnections.
Critical Service for Medical Conditions
Minnesota law requires WH to reconnect or continue electric service when a medical emergency exists or when electricity is needed for life-sustaining medical equipment. Customers must notify WH, provide required medical certification, and have a Critical Services Physician Form on file. Placement on the Critical Medical Account list does not guarantee uninterrupted service or relieve the responsibility to maintain an account in good standing.
Appeal Process
If you wish to file an appeal regarding a disconnection notice or an issue with your payment plan, you may appeal to the Wright-Hennepin Board of Directors, who govern the cooperative. You can email your written appeal to WHDirectors@whe.org.