Cold weather rule

(1.) The provisions of the Cold Weather Rule establish the disconnection procedures for any Residential Customer of the Cooperative throughout the cold weather period, which extends from November 15 through March 15.

(2.) The Cooperative shall not disconnect a Customer’s service between November 15 and March 15 when the local temperature is forecast to drop below 32 degrees within the following 24-hour period unless:

(a.) It is at the Customer’s request;
(b.) The service is abandoned;
(c.) A dangerous condition exists on the Customer’s premises;
(d.) The Customer violates any rule of the Cooperative that may adversely affect the safety of the persons or property, including the physical integrity of the Cooperative’s delivery system; or
(e.) The Customer causes or permits the unauthorized interference with, diversion or use of (meter bypass), the Cooperative’s electric service situated or delivered on or about the Customer’s premises. In any of these situations, the Cooperative may disconnect the service immediately. Electric service disconnected under (c), (d), or (e) above may be restored as soon as possible after the physical problems as defined in (c), (d) and (e) above have been corrected and all applicable fees, costs, and security deposits have been paid.

(3.) Responsibilities of the Cooperative. The Cooperative will send (1) written notice mailed first class at least five (5) days prior to termination of service. A Customer may not be disconnected until a 24-hour forecast above the activating temperature is predicted.

On the day of disconnection, the Cooperative must receive a 24- hour forecast above the activating temperature. If the temperature is then forecast to be below the activating temperature, the disconnection may not be carried out. Instead, the Cooperative must wait for another 24-hour forecast above the activating temperature, but further notice to the Customer will not be required.

The Cooperative will, in the five (5)-day written notice, also inform the Customer of the existence of the Cold Weather Rule and that the Customer can avoid disconnection by bringing the Customer’s electric bill current.