News Release

For more information contact: Abbie Hodgson, 785-271-3269

March 24, 2009

KCC's Cold Weather Rule to end March 31

The annual open season of the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) Cold Weather Rule will end Tuesday, March 31st. The Cold Weather Rule prevents electric and natural gas utilities under the KCC's jurisdiction from disconnecting service to residential customers if the temperature is forecast to fall below 35 degrees within the following 48-hour period. The rule is in effect from November 1st through March 31st each year.

Under the rule, utilities must also provide a 12-month payment arrangement to residential customers who are unable to pay their current or past due bills in full. Under this arrangement, the customer must make an initial payment of 1/12 of the total amount owed the utility. The balance will be billed in equal payments over the next 11 months in addition to the regular monthly bill.

The KCC adopted the Cold Weather Rule to protect customers from utility service disconnection during the cold winter weather while providing a reasonable and organized method of paying past due and current bills. The Cold Weather Rule applies to all residential customers of electric, natural gas, and water utility companies under the KCC's jurisdiction. For a list visit: http://kcc.ks.gov/pi/jurisdictional_utilities.htm.