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Published September 29, 2026 8:07 PM CDT
(FOX 9) - Starting Oct. 1, utility companies in Minnesota are prohibited from shutting off heat to customers who fall behind on their bills due to a customer's inability to pay them.
Minnesota Cold Weather Rule
What we know:
The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule runs from Oct. 1, through April 30, 2027. Under the rule, energy companies cannot disconnect service during the winter months due to a customer's inability to pay.
Dig deeper:
More than 600,000 Minnesota families are income-eligible for energy assistance, according to the source material — roughly one in every four households across the state.
El Niño: What it is, how it affects our weather
What is El Niño, where does it come from and how does it affect our weather? FOX 9 Meteorologist Cody Matz spoke with Dr. Kenny Blumenfeld, Minnesota, senior climatologist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources about how this year’s El Niño weather pattern could affect our winter.
According to Xcel Energy, income-eligible customers who contact the company for Cold Weather Rule protection can establish monthly payment plans that do not exceed 10% of household income.
What you can do:
Customers looking for more information can speak directly with Xcel Energy's customer care agent sytem at 1-800-895-4999.
The Source: Information provided by Xcel Energy and previous FOX 9 Cold Weather Rule reporting.
MinnesotaCrime and Public SafetyWinter WeatherWeatherSevere Weather
