Consumer Blog
Missouri's hot weather rule
Missourians now have protection against utility shutoffs in hot weather, just as they do in cold weather. The legislature this year passed a law creating a "hot weather rule," so that utility customers can't have their power shut off on extremely hot days. This is the summer equivalent of the "cold weather rule," which has been the law for 30 years in Missouri. Here's how they breakdown:
Hot weather rule (effective Aug. 28, 2008): From June 1 to September 30, utilities can not shut off service for nonpayment if the temperature is forecast to be above 95 degrees or the heat index above 105.
Cold weather rule: From November 1 to March 31, utilities can not shut off heat for nonpayment if the temperature is forecast to be below freezing.
Technorati Tags: hot weather rule, shopping and spending, utility shutoff, cold weather rule, moagoconsumer, consumer protection
Posted by on June 30, 2008 8:00 am :: Comments (4) :: Permalink
4 Responses to "Missouri's hot weather rule"
says:
July 2, 2008 2:21 pm
Is this rule enforced? If so how.
says:
July 8, 2008 10:13 am
To Donna:
This rule is enforced by the Missouri Public Service Commission.
says:
July 30, 2008 2:30 am
They cut us off yesterday for 300.00 but they wanted 1000.00 to turnit back on. I am a diabetic, 65, and am very badly affected by heat. I begged themto give us two more days when my husbands Navy retirement check would come. We have a three year old grandson here. My husband uses inhalers. But they shut us off anyway and my husband had to run all over two Missouri counties trying to raise the money, $1000.00 to get it back on. By the end of today I was sick, dehydrated with chest pains (I've had a bypass) My insulin was no longer refrigerated. Why did they cut us off in such hot weather. Kansas City has a heat alert. It was 95 degrees at my house. I could have died and with the phones down because of no electricity, I could not call for help. I know we were behind, I know we owed, but my God, have they no heart, no sense of humanity to give us two more days. Our food is ruined and we have no money for more. I had the bill money just a day away. I have lost all faith in people because of that company.
says:
July 30, 2008 11:48 am
Terri I feel for you, i went thru the same thing a couple months back and may be going thru it again. When they shut you off they add a huge deposit to get it turned back on. They want $500 tomorrow from me I asked them if I could have until Friday (tomorrow is Thursday) since I get paid Friday. She said she would note the account but there was no guarantee. We got behind with several bills and am trying to get them all caught up, but it seems the electric company is the only one who thinks they should be paid. i heard that the hot weather rule will not be enforced until next summer.
