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 .
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.