Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

State regulators have called on Minnesota’s electric and gas utilities to provide additional safeguards for their customers in light of Gov. Tim Walz’s Executive Order 20-01 declaring a peacetime emergency to protect Minnesotans from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release. A joint letter was sent March 24 to all electric and gas utilities operating in the state from Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Steve Kelley and Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Chairwoman Katie Sieben.

“Many utility providers are already taking steps to expand and extend cold weather rule protections, suspend customer shut-offs, reconnect customers, arrange payment plans and otherwise help their customers in these difficult circumstances,” Kelley said. “We thank them for these proactive and very important measures.”

“The services that utilities provide are critical to the health and well-being of Minnesotans,” Sieben said. “The Public Utilities Commission is working hard to ensure Minnesotans continue to have reliable, affordable electric and natural gas service during the pandemic.”

In their letter to utilities, the Department of Commerce and Public Utilities Commission set out a list of minimum actions requested for the duration of the national security or peacetime emergency.

• Extend protections of Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule, specifically, restricting disconnection of residential customers for non-payment of utility bills and reconnecting customers who have been disconnected for the duration of the national security or state peacetime emergency. This request does not affect the utility’s ability to disconnect a customer’s service for public safety concerns unrelated to non-payment.

• Waive late fees any residential or small business customer incurs because of the economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic.

• Arrange payment plans for customers requesting help during this time that is based on the financial resources and circumstances of the customer.

Utilities were asked to efile responses to these specific requests by April 3.

“Reliable electric and natural gas service is always critical, but especially important during this pandemic,” Sieben said. “I appreciate the hard work and dedication of the utility sector workers so that Minnesotans continue to have power.”

The Public Utilities Commission’s consumer affairs office provides mediation services and consumer support with issues related to utility service disruptions or disconnections. Minnesotans needing information or help with their utility service provider can contact the consumer affairs office for assistance at consumer.puc@state.mn.us, 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782.