Weather Law In Kansas: Does It Affect Coops?

The Kansas Corporation Commission established the Cold Weather Rule to ensure that Kansans have access to electric, gas, and water services during the winter months. This rule applies to residential customers of utility companies under the KCC's jurisdiction. While the Cold Weather Rule helps prevent disconnections during freezing weather, it is not clear if it applies to co-ops. On the other hand, Kansas Statutes also mention a weather modification act, which involves the suspension or modification of the terms and conditions of a permit to protect health, safety, or property. This act requires licensees conducting weather modification activities to notify the director of any emergencies. However, it is also unclear if this act applies to co-ops.

Does the Cold Weather Rule apply to co-ops?

The Cold Weather Rule was established by the Kansas Corporation Commission in 1983 to protect human health and safety and to ensure that Kansans have residential electric, natural gas, and water services to their homes during the winter. The rule is effective from November 1 through March 31.

The Cold Weather Rule applies only to residential customers of electric, natural gas, and water utility companies under the KCC's jurisdiction. It is important to note that the KCC does not regulate co-ops or municipal utilities. While the KCC encourages co-ops and municipal utilities to offer a cold-weather payment plan, it is not mandatory for them to do so.

If you are a customer of a co-op or municipal utility, you should contact your utility provider directly to inquire about their specific policies and payment plans during the winter months. It is important to proactively communicate with your utility provider to avoid any disruption in services.

To summarize, the Cold Weather Rule does not directly apply to co-ops or municipal utilities in Kansas. However, many of these entities voluntarily offer similar winter weather policies or payment plans to assist their customers during the cold months.

What is the Cold Weather Rule?

The Cold Weather Rule, established by the Kansas Corporation Commission in 1983, is designed to protect human health and safety and ensure that Kansans have access to essential utility services during the winter months. The rule is in effect from November 1 through March 31 and applies to residential customers of electric, natural gas, and water utility companies under the KCC's jurisdiction.

The Cold Weather Rule helps Kansans who are behind on their utility payments avoid disconnection during periods of extreme cold. Utility companies are prohibited from disconnecting service when the local temperature is forecast to drop below 35 degrees Fahrenheit within the following 48-hour period. To prevent disconnection, customers must make payment arrangements with their utility company.

Under the Cold Weather Rule, customers have the option to spread their payments over 12 months. They must agree to pay 1/12 of the overdue amount, plus 1/12 of their current bill, all disconnection and reconnection fees, and any applicable deposits owed to the utility. The remaining balance must be paid in equal installments over the next 11 months, in addition to the current monthly bill. Alternatively, customers can negotiate a faster payment plan.

It is important to note that customers must also pay their full bills for new service used while paying off the overdue amount. Additionally, if a customer has illegally used any service, they must pay for the value of that service. The Cold Weather Rule is designed to balance the needs of Kansans for essential utility services during the winter and their responsibility to make arrangements to pay for those services.

What are the payment plan terms for the Cold Weather Rule?

The Cold Weather Rule in Kansas offers a 12-month payment plan to allow consumers to maintain or re-establish their utility services. This plan is available to any residential customer with a past-due balance. However, it is the customer's responsibility to contact their utility company to make these arrangements.

The payment plan terms require customers to agree to pay 1/12th of the total overdue amount, 1/12th of their current bill, all disconnection and reconnection fees, and any applicable deposits owed to the utility. The remaining balance must then be paid in equal payments over the next 11 months, in addition to the current monthly bill.

Alternatively, customers can negotiate a different payment plan with their utility company to pay off the overdue amount quicker than 12 months. It is important to remember that customers must also pay their full bills for new service used while paying off the overdue amount.

What are the disconnection and reconnection rules under the Cold Weather Rule?

The Cold Weather Rule in Kansas is designed to help Kansans who are behind on their utility payments avoid disconnection during the winter months. It was established by the Kansas Corporation Commission in 1983 to protect human health and safety and ensure that Kansans have residential electric, natural gas, and water services in their homes during the winter. The rule is effective from November 1 through March 31.

Disconnection Rules:

• Utility companies cannot disconnect a customer's service when the local temperatures are forecast to drop below 35 degrees Fahrenheit within the following 48-hour period.
• Utilities must send written notice to customers 10 days before disconnection, as well as attempt a phone call or personal contact the day before.
• If the 48-hour forecast changes and there is a forecast of temperatures dropping below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, the utility company cannot disconnect until there is another Cold Weather Rule 48-hour forecast of temperatures above 35 degrees.

Reconnection Rules:

• To be reconnected, regardless of temperature, customers must make pay arrangements with their utility company.
• Customers must agree to pay 1/12 of the overdue amount of their bill, plus 1/12 of their current bill, all disconnection and reconnection fees, plus any applicable deposit owed to the utility.
• Customers must also agree to pay the remainder of the overdue amount in equal payments over the next 11 months, in addition to their current monthly bill.
• Customers can also negotiate a payment plan to pay off the overdue amount quicker than 12 months.

What are the requirements for a weather modification permit?

The requirements for a weather modification permit in Kansas are as follows:

Firstly, an applicant must apply in writing to the director for a permit and this must be in a form that the director requires. Secondly, the applicant must hold a valid weather modification license issued under the relevant act. Thirdly, the applicant must pay the permit fee, if applicable. Fourthly, the applicant must file with the director proof of ability to respond in damages for liability on account of accidents arising from weather modification activities. This includes a minimum of $50,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $100,000 for two or more persons, and $100,000 for injury to or destruction of property. Municipalities and state departments are exempt from this requirement. Fifthly, the applicant must submit a complete operational plan for the proposed project or program, including a map of the proposed operating area, the name and address of the licensee, the nature and object of the activities, a statement explaining any expected effect on the environment, and methods for determining and evaluating the project or program. Sixth, the applicant must meet the preceding requirements and publish a notice of intent to engage in weather modification activities in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties to be affected. Lastly, the applicant must furnish proof of the publication of the notice to the director.

In addition to these requirements, the director may hold a public hearing on the proposed project or program before issuing a permit. The director must also determine that the proposed activities are designed to provide an economic benefit or benefit the people of Kansas, are scientifically and technically feasible, and include adequate safeguards for the protection of property, health, safety, and welfare. The operational plan for the proposed project or program will be made available for public inspection.

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