Judge Tosses PSC Expanded Cold Weather Rule

The Public Service Commission’s expanded cold weather rule has been thrown out by a circuit judge in Jefferson City. Judge Richard Callahan says the Emergency Cold Weather Rule that went into effect the day after Christmas does not protect utilities agaisnt loss of earnings and loss of revenue. The rule made it easier for natural gas customers to arrange payment terms. It was set up in anticipation of much higher heating bills. The PSC could appeal the ruling – which would leave the rule in place until the end of March, when it would have run out anyway.