Cold Weather Rule Begins Oct 15

SAINT PAUL — As temperatures drop and heating bills rise, the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Minnesota Public Utilities Commission want Minnesotans to know about help that is available from the state’s Cold Weather Rule and Energy Assistance Program.

The Cold Weather Rule protects residential utility customers from having their heat shut off during the winter months. The Energy Assistance Program helps eligible Minnesota homeowners and renters pay for home heating costs.

“The Cold Weather Rule and our Energy Assistance Program are here to help Minnesota families who struggle with home heating costs to get through our cold winters,” said Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman, whose agency includes the state energy office. “We want to make sure Minnesotans are safe and warm in their homes this winter.”

“The Cold Weather Rule is a safeguard for the most vulnerable Minnesotans during our challenging winters,” said Public Utilities Commission Chair Nancy Lange. “It ensures that households in need are safe, warm and healthy. By working out a payment plan with their utility, Minnesota families with financial challenges can still keep their heat on.”

Cold Weather Rule

The Cold Weather Rule takes effect on October 15 and continues through April 15. To prevent heating disconnection under the rule, customers must first contact their utility to establish and maintain a monthly payment plan. All electric and natural gas companies are required to offer this protection.

Under the rule, utility customers who have a combined household income at or below 50 percent of the state median income ($48,077 for a family of four) are not required to pay more than 10 percent of their household income toward current and past heating bills. Others are also eligible to arrange a Cold Weather Rule payment plan.

Minnesotans who need to re-connect their service for the winter should contact their utility now to take advantage of the payment options.

The Cold Weather Rule does not apply to delivered fuels such as fuel oil, propane or wood. But Minnesotans who use these fuels are encouraged to contact the companies serving them to discuss payment options if they are concerned about their ability to pay this winter. For example, a state law requires that propane distributors offer all customers a budget plan.

The Cold Weather Rule is administered by the Public Utilities Commission. More information is available at theCommission website or by calling 651-296-0406 or 800-657-3782.

Energy Assistance Program

Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program helps homeowners and renters earning at or below 50 percent of the state’s median income ($48,077 for a family of four) pay their heating bills. The average annual payment per household last year was about $520. Households with seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and children are especially encouraged to apply.

Minnesotans who use delivered fuels to heat their homes are eligible for Energy Assistance Program grants even though they are not covered by the Cold Weather Rule.

Applications were recently sent to Minnesotans who qualified for energy assistance last year. Others who may qualify are encouraged to apply by contacting the local service provider in their county by calling 800-657-3710. Information is also available at theCommerce Department’s Energy Assistance Program webpage.

The Minnesota Commerce Department administers the program in partnership with 30 local service providers throughout the state. It is federally funded through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Weatherization Assistance Program

The Commerce Department also administers theWeatherization Assistance Program, which provides energy efficiency improvements to reduce energy costs for needy households that meet income eligibility guidelines. Both homeowners and renters may apply for weatherization assistance.

Other forms of assistance may be available to Minnesotans through county social service programs, community-based organizations and nonprofit agencies.

Energy assistance is still available

SAINT PAUL – Even though it’s been feeling a lot like spring lately, many Minnesotans may still be struggling with winter heating costs.

April 15 marks the end of this winter’s Cold Weather Rule, which protects residential customers from having their natural gas or electric service shut off. But that date does not always mean the end of Minnesota’s heating season.

To keep the heat on through the spring, Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman urges Minnesotans who need help paying their heating bills to apply for the state’s Energy Assistance Program and establish a payment plan with their utility, if they have not done so already.

Minnesota consumers using delivered fuels such as fuel oil, propane or wood to heat their homes are also eligible for energy assistance.

Energy assistance applications will be accepted until May 31, but funds are limited and households are served on a first-come, first-served basis. To apply, call 1-800-657-3710 or visit the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program on the Commerce Department website.

“I especially encourage seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and families with children to apply for energy assistance to make sure that everyone stays warm and safe through the spring,” said Rothman. “Funds are still available, but may run out by the end of this month. Minnesotans in need should apply now to make sure they can secure help.”

The Commerce Department administers the Energy Assistance Program in partnership with 30 local service providers across the state. Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the program helps renters and homeowners earning at or below 50 percent of the state’s median income ($47,194 for a family of four) obtain grant money to help pay their heating bills.

Energy assistance funds go directly to the energy provider on behalf of eligible households. The average annual grant per household is about $500. Last year the program helped 133,000 Minnesota households.

Cold weather heating assistance and budget protection available to Minnesotans with limited incomes

SAINT PAUL — As the heating season kicks in, the Minnesota Department of Commerce and the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) encourage Minnesotans to contact their utilities now to learn more about the Cold Weather Rule that protects residential utility customers from having their heat shut off during the winter months.

The rule takes effect on October 15 and continues through April 15, 2017.

To prevent heating disconnection, customers must first contact their utility to establish and maintain a monthly payment plan.  All electric and natural gas companies are required to offer Cold Weather Rule protection.

“The Cold Weather Rule and our Energy Assistance Program are here to provide an essential safety net to protect Minnesotans from losing heat during the coldest months of the year,” said Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman. “No Minnesotan should be left out in the cold.”

Under the Cold Weather Rule, customers who have a combined household income at or below 50 percent of the state median income ($47,194 for a family of four) are not required to pay more than 10 percent of their household income toward current and past heating bills. Others are also eligible to arrange a Cold Weather Rule payment plan.

Minnesotans who need to reconnect for winter should contact their utility now to take advantage of the payment options. The Cold Weather Rule is administered by the PUC.

“The Cold Weather Rule is a safeguard for the most vulnerable Minnesotans during our challenging winters,” said PUC Chair Beverly Jones Heydinger. “It ensures that households in need are safe, warm and healthy. By working out a payment plan with their utility, Minnesota families with financial challenges can still keep their heat on.”

Minnesota consumers using delivered fuels such as fuel oil, propane or wood to heat their homes are not covered by the Cold Weather Rule. However, they are encouraged to contact the companies that serve them to discuss payment options if they are concerned about their ability to pay for fuel. For example, a new law requires propane distributors to offer all customers a budget plan.

More information on the Cold Weather Rule is available at the Public Utilities Commission website or by calling 651-296-0406 or 800-657-3782.

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Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program

In addition to the Cold Weather Rule, Minnesota offers the Energy Assistance Program to help pay home heating costs. The Minnesota Commerce Department administers the program in partnership with 30 local service providers throughout the state. It is federally funded through the Low

Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program helps homeowners and renters earning at or below 50 percent of the state’s median income ($47,194 for a family of four) pay their heating bills.  The average annual payment per household last year was about $500. Households with seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and children are especially encouraged to apply.

Applications were recently sent to households that qualified for energy assistance last year.  Others who may qualify are encouraged to apply by contacting the local service provider in their county by calling 800-657-3710.  Information is also available at the Commerce Department’s Energy Assistance Program webpage.

Minnesota consumers using delivered fuels to heat their homes are eligible for the Energy Assistance Program, even though they are not covered by the Cold Weather Rule.

Weatherization Assistance Program

The Commerce Department also administers the Weatherization Assistance Program, which provides energy efficiency improvements to reduce energy costs for needy households that meet income eligibility guidelines. Both homeowners and renters may apply for weatherization assistance. Call 800-657-3710 for information.

Other forms of help

Other forms of heating assistance may be available through county social service programs, community-based organizations, and nonprofit agencies.

Energy-saving tips

The Commerce Department’s Division of Energy Resources offers energy-saving information that every household can use to help control heating costs. Some basic no-cost and low-cost energy-saving recommendations include:

• Weather strip and caulk windows and doors to keep warm air in and cold air out.
• Cover drafty windows with tightly sealed plastic.
• Open curtains and blinds on south-facing windows to let the sun in during the day to naturally heat your home.
• Seal air leaks to prevent cold air for entering through chimneys, vents, pipes and wires that penetrate walls, ceilings and attics.
• Close your fireplace damper when a fire is not in use to prevent warm air from escaping.
• Maintain your heating system. Have annual furnace or boiler inspections, clean or replace furnace filters regularly, and consider replacing old heating systems with more efficient ENERGY STAR® models.
• Use a programmable thermostat. Set your thermostat to automatically turn down the heat at night and when nobody is home.

More energy-saving tips can be found at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energysaver webpages. For more information on reducing energy use in your home, check out the Commerce Department’s Home Energy Guide.

Commerce is here to help

If you have a question about energy, contact the Minnesota Commerce Department’s Energy Information Center at energy.info@state.mn.usor 800-657-3710.

Commerce Department reminds Minnesotans to keep propane tanks above one quarter full this winter

SAINT PAUL, MN – In Minnesota, being prepared for winter is always a necessity. The Minnesota Department of Commerce reminds Minnesotans who depend on propane and fuel oil for heat, to watch fuel tank levels and call your supplier before your tank goes below one quarter full.

“Planning ahead and making sure your propane and fuel oil tanks stay above a quarter full can help ensure your family stays safe and warm this winter,” said Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman. “I encourage consumers who use these fuels to talk to their suppliers about scheduled delivery programs that will make sure you have the supply of fuel you need.”

The Department of Commerce also urges Minnesotans who need financial assistance to pay heating bills to see if they are eligible for help through the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The Commerce Department administers LIHEAP in partnership with 31 local service providers throughout the state. LIHEAP is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program helps renters and homeowners earning at or below 50 percent of the state’s median income ($44,912 for a family of four) obtain grant money to help pay their heating bills.

The average annual grant per household last year was $500. Households with seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and children are especially encouraged to apply.

To apply, contact the local service provider in your county by calling 1-800-657-3710 or visit the Energy Assistance Program section on the Division of Energy Resources website.

Use Alternative Heat Sources Safely

The State Fire Marshal (SFM) reminds residents to use caution when using alternative heating sources such as space heaters.

·         Keep anything flammable -- including pets and people -- at least three feet away from heating equipment.

·         Make sure portable space heaters have an automatic shut-off.

·         Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

·         Space heaters need constant watching. Never leave a space heater on when you go to sleep. Never place a space heater close to any sleeping person.

·         Make sure all cords on electric heaters are in good shape and checked periodically for any frays or breaks in the insulation surrounding the wires.

·         Check the cord and outlet occasionally for overheating; if it feels hot, discontinue use.

·         Place the heater on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes.

·         Use a heater that has been tested to the latest safety standards and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. These heaters will have the most up to date safety features; older space heaters may not meet the newer safety standards.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning

·         Make sure CO detectors are working throughout your home; Minnesota law requires CO alarms in every single family and multifamily dwelling.

·         Have a qualified technician inspect your fuel-burning appliances each year to ensure they are adequately vented and properly maintained. CO testing should be part of the inspection.

·         Make sure furnace exhaust vents, air intake hoods, and chimneys are clear of snow and ice in order to keep the heat on and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

·         Do not idle cars in garages, either attached or unattached, for any length of time. In both cases, start your car and exit the garage immediately. Dangerously high levels of CO will accumulate even if the garage door is open.

·         Provide adequate ventilation when using a fireplace, wood stove or space heater.

·         Portable propane camping equipment and gas barbecues are approved for outdoor use only. Never use them inside cabins, tents, fish houses, or other enclosed shelters.

·         If your car is stuck in snow, make sure that the tail pipe is cleared before starting the engine.

·         During power outages, do not use gasoline engines or burn charcoal in enclosed spaces, including garages, even if the door is open.

·         Never use kitchen stoves, gasoline heaters, or other alternative methods to heat your home if running into financial hardship.  Please contact the Department of CommerceEnergy Assistance Program to learn how you can apply for assistance to pay home heating costs.