LINCOLN
Financially strapped customers of Nebraskas jurisdictional
natural gas utilities will have an additional 30 days to pay their
bills for a five-month period starting November 1.
The
Nebraska Public Service Commissions cold weather rule applies only
to customers of the states jurisdictional utilities Black
Hills Energy, which now includes both Black Hills and legacy
SourceGas Distribution service territories, and Northwestern Energy.
From November 1 through March 31, Black Hills and Northwestern may
not shut off service to customers without allowing an additional 30
days to pay beyond the normal bill due date.
First
District Commissioner Frank Landis of Lincoln said the cold weather
rule is a tool for customers and the companies to work together in a
period when natural gas bills are the highest. The cold weather
rule is intended to provide an opportunity for customers to work out
a payment plan with their natural gas supplier.
Several
leading weather forecasting services are predicting colder than
normal temperatures this winter and a cool spring, meaning
potentially higher heating bills that can put a financial burden on
customers. Any customer finding it difficult to pay natural gas
bills during the winter months should contact the company to make
arrangements for payment, advised Commission Chairman Tim Schram,
representing the Third District. Customers can also contact local
public assistance agency for help with natural gas bills, said
Schram.
There
are several strategies for customers seeking to minimize the impact
of higher natural gas bills during the winter. Such strategies
include: setting the thermostat a little cooler, gas utilities
recommend 68 degrees or lower, reducing thermostat settings when a
home or building is unoccupied, checking gas appliances and
space-heating equipment for efficient operation, obtaining a home
energy audit to identify ways to conserve energy, and participation
in a gas companys yearly budget plan to spread gas costs
throughout the year.
Other
ideas include improving the insulation in a home by installing storm
windows and doors, attaching clear plastic to the inside or outside
of windows and screen doors, caulking around windows and door frames,
and covering window air conditioners.
The
Public Service Commission implemented the cold weather rule when it
was given regulatory authority over the states jurisdictional
utilities in 2003. Nebraska communities served by municipally owned
natural gas utilities are not subject to regulation by the Commission
and not required to comply with the cold weather rule.
