FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan. 8, 2026
PSC ISSUES MID-SEASON REMINDER
ON COLD WEATHER RULE, OFFERS
ENERGY-SAVING TIPS
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
psc.naturalgas@nebraska.gov.
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.
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Media Contact:
Jason McFarley – Public Information & Education Officer
(402) 471-0226
jason.mcfarley@nebraska.gov
