The Cold Weather Rule is now in effect. The rule has been around for 25 years, enforced by the Public Service Commission. The rule limits the ways utilities can cut off heat during the winter. It also requires consumers who can’t pay their utility bills in full to follow certain rules to keep the heat on. The PSC requires consumers to work out a payment plan with their utility company and apply to the Division of Family Services for energy assistance payments. If consumers have a balance remaining from last winter, they can stretch out payments for longer than a year. The Cold Weather Rule runs each year from the beginning of November until the end of March.
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