FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PSC Extends Cold Weather Rule Opens
Investigation Into Cold Weather Event
Lincoln, March 2, 2021 – In response to the arctic cold that
gripped a large portion of the nation including Nebraska in
late February, the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC),
Tuesday, March 2, issued an Order extending the Cold Weather
Rule and opening a docket to investigation the effects of the
cold weather event.
“Gas utilities under PSC regulation have told us that the spike
in natural gas prices during this event will likely cause a
substantial impact on customers’ bills in the coming months,”
said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier. “We’re exploring
what options we have to help mitigate the impact of this spike.”
To aid in this information gathering process, the PSC will hold
workshops in early April with each of its jurisdictional gas
utilities, Black Hills Energy and NorthWestern Energy. Details
on the two workshops can be found in the Order opening
the docket (NG-111/PI-237) on the PSC website.
As a part of this effort the PSC has also extended its cold
weather rule through May 31. Implemented in 2003, when
the PSC was given regulatory authority over the state’s
jurisdictional gas utilities (Black Hill Energy and
NorthWestern Energy) the cold weather rule provides
financially strapped customers a little extra time to pay
their bills during the winter months and adds protection
for low-income customers.
Commissioner Watermeier said, “Typically the cold weather
rule runs from November through March. By extending it,
we hope to help ensure natural gas service remains
uninterrupted in the event customers experience higher bills.”
The cold weather rule, which applies only to Nebraska’s
jurisdictional natural gas utilities assures a customer’s
service may not be shut off without allowing an additional
30 days to pay beyond the normal bill date and provides
additional protections for low-income customers.
Nebraska communities served by municipally owned natural
gas utilities are not subject to regulation by the PSC and are
not required to comply with the cold weather rule or the
informational gathering related to docket NG-111/PI-237.
Customers having difficulty paying natural gas bills should
contact their gas company to explore payment plans and
assistance options. Customers can also contact local public
assistance agencies for help with natural gas bills. ###
Contact:
Deb Collins- Media & Communications Mgr.
(402) 471-0226
deb.collins@nebraska.gov
