[{"state_name":"Alabama","state_code":"AL","slug":"alabama-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Weak","electric_notice_days":5,"gas_notice_days":5,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No formal winter moratorium. Cold-temperature rule prohibits disconnection on days when NWS forecasts temperature at or below 32°F. Age 65+ and handicapped customers also protected during forecasted heat above 95°F.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Service may not be disconnected when life or health is threatened. Doctor's note required for medical postponement; utility must adopt reasonable tariff rules for households with illness, age, or handicap.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP assistance available. No statewide PIPP. Alabama PSC requires utilities to provide information about energy assistance programs.","state_puc_url":"https://psc.alabama.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Alabama Power","service_area":"Most of Alabama (central, southern, and eastern regions); subsidiary of Southern Company","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Alabama PSC General Rules, Rule 12(B), require at least five (5) days' written notice before disconnection for nonpayment, applying to every APSC-regulated electric and gas utility in the state alike (not company-specific). No shutoff when the National Weather Service forecasts the temperature at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for that calendar day (Rule 12(B)(5)). No cutoff for nonpayment after 3:30 p.m. on a day immediately before the utility's office is closed. A customer may pay in full any time before actual disconnection. Alabama Power's own reconnect-service page (https://www.alabamapower.com/residential/billing-and-payment-options/reconnect-service.html) states the current reconnection fee schedule, not restated in the APSC general rules (which authorize a utility-specific fee but do not set the dollar amount themselves): $50 Monday-Friday before 5 p.m. or after 7 p.m. (next-day restoration); $75 Monday-Friday 5-7 p.m. or weekends/holidays before 7 p.m. (same-day restoration); $50 weekends/holidays after 7 p.m. (next-day). Protections for customers with medical necessity, elderly (60+), and disabled through Special Needs and Project SHARE programs.","reconnection_fee":"Business-hours and extended/after-hours fees apply, see notes for current dollar amounts","assistance_programs":"Project SHARE (Salvation Army, low-income 60+ or disabled); ABC Trust (Alabama Business Charitable Trust for low-income families); LIHEAP (November–May in select counties); Low Income Assistance ($14.50 credit for SSI/Medicaid recipients toward customer charge)","source_url":"https://psc.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/GenRules_01_10_05.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"General Rules of the Alabama Public Service Commission, Rule 12(B) (Disconnection Notice)"},{"name":"Huntsville Utilities (Electric)","service_area":"Huntsville and surrounding Madison County, AL; municipal utility distributing TVA power","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Municipal utility, not an APSC-regulated investor-owned company. Its Disconnection of Service policy (CC-08) requires a mailed Final Notice giving the customer an Account Review Procedure to invoke before disconnection, but does not itself state a total notice-day count; hsvutil.org's own copy of that policy is blocked to automated readers by the site's robots.txt, so it is cited here by name rather than as the source URL. The utility's Customer Service Fees schedule, mirrored on the city's Revize-hosted site, sets the reconnect-after-nonpayment fee at $60.00 for AMI meters and $95.00 for non-AMI meters, rising to $115.00 after 6 p.m., weekends, or holidays.","reconnection_fee":"$60.00 (AMI meter) or $95.00 (non-AMI meter) for reconnecting a paid delinquent account; $115.00 after 6 p.m., weekends, or holidays","assistance_programs":"Huntsville Utilities administers LIHEAP and local financial assistance programs","source_url":"https://huntsvilleutility.revize.com/revize/huntsvilleutilitiesal/CSForms/CustomerServiceFeeSummaryOCT2021.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Huntsville Utilities Customer Service Fees schedule (effective October 1, 2021, still in force)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Spire Alabama (formerly Alagasco)","service_area":"30+ Alabama counties including Jefferson, Montgomery, Mobile, Baldwin, Tuscaloosa; central, northern, and Mobile area Alabama","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Alabama PSC General Rules, Rule 12(B), require at least five (5) days' written notice before disconnection for nonpayment, applying to every APSC-regulated electric and gas utility alike. No shutoff when the National Weather Service forecasts the temperature at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for that calendar day. No cutoff for nonpayment after 3:30 p.m. on a day immediately before the utility's office is closed. Protections for elderly, disabled, and medically vulnerable customers per APSC rules. Reconnection fees are authorized by the Commission on a per-utility basis but the dollar amount is not stated in the general rules themselves; no reachable Spire Alabama page states a current figure, so reconnection_fee stays null.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Payment assistance programs available; LIHEAP; Budget Billing and payment arrangement options","source_url":"https://psc.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/GenRules_01_10_05.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"General Rules of the Alabama Public Service Commission, Rule 12(B) (Disconnection Notice)"},{"name":"Huntsville Utilities (Gas)","service_area":"Huntsville and surrounding Madison County, AL; municipal gas distribution utility","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Municipal utility, not an APSC-regulated investor-owned company; the same Disconnection of Service policy (CC-08) governs both its gas and electric service. It requires a mailed Final Notice giving the customer an Account Review Procedure to invoke before disconnection, but does not itself state a total notice-day count; hsvutil.org's own copy of that policy is blocked to automated readers by the site's robots.txt, so it is cited here by name rather than as the source URL. The utility's Customer Service Fees schedule, mirrored on the city's Revize-hosted site, sets the reconnect-after-nonpayment fee at $60.00 for AMI meters and $95.00 for non-AMI meters, rising to $115.00 after 6 p.m., weekends, or holidays.","reconnection_fee":"$60.00 (AMI meter) or $95.00 (non-AMI meter) for reconnecting a paid delinquent account; $115.00 after 6 p.m., weekends, or holidays","assistance_programs":"Administers LIHEAP and local financial assistance programs","source_url":"https://huntsvilleutility.revize.com/revize/huntsvilleutilitiesal/CSForms/CustomerServiceFeeSummaryOCT2021.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Huntsville Utilities Customer Service Fees schedule (effective October 1, 2021, still in force)"},{"assistance_programs":"Medical Emergency Program, Critical Medical Needs Program, Extended Payment Date Program, LIHEAP, DollarHelp, Customer Charge Waiver Program, Registered Customer Program, Payment Partner Program, Weatherization, Red Tag Furnace/Water Heater Repair Program, Budget Billing, Pay As You Save (PAYS), and payment arrangements.","name":"Alabama Gas Corporation","notice_days":null,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Central and Northern Alabama, Mobile, Alabama Area","shutoff_rules_notes":"The Medical Emergency Program delays service disconnection up to 21 days if loss of service would create medical risk. The Critical Medical Needs Program suspends disconnection for up to 30 days with health care provider certification. Extended Payment Date Program extends due dates by 10 days for SSI recipients. Page does not provide information about standard notice requirements, winter moratoriums, or standard shutoff procedures.","source_date":"2026-05-17","source_title":"I Need Help with My Natural Gas Bill | Spire Inc.","source_url":"https://spireenergy.com/assistance"}],"water_utilities":[]},{"state_name":"Alaska","state_code":"AK","slug":"alaska-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":null,"gas_notice_days":null,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No statewide statutory winter moratorium. Some individual utilities have voluntary cold-weather policies. 3 AAC 52.450 prohibits disconnection on Fridays and days preceding holidays. Standard residential notice days not confirmed from primary source — listed as null.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Utilities must postpone disconnection when a medical condition would be made dangerous. Medical certificate required; postponement period varies by utility tariff.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available (Alaska has very high per-household heating costs and receives significant federal LIHEAP allocations). Some regulated utilities offer low-income payment plans.","state_puc_url":"https://rca.alaska.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Chugach Electric Association","service_area":"Municipality of Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and Whittier area","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"First notice: at least 15 days written notice before scheduled disconnection date. If occupant is seriously ill, elderly, handicapped, or dependent on life support, minimum 30 days notice required. Disconnection trigger: account delinquent 55 days from initial billing. Service restored within 3 working days after correction. Regulated by RCA under 3 AAC 52.450.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Deferred payment agreements for residential members with economic hardship: pay at least 1/3 of bill upfront, balance over up to 12 months. Alaska LIHEAP/state heating assistance. Alaska 2-1-1 for community resources.","source_url":"https://www.chugachelectric.com/system/files/regulatory_affairs/Operating_Tariff_-_Electric_0.pdf","source_date":"2026-05-17","source_title":"Chugach Electric Association Operating Tariff No. 8 (RCA Tariff No. 8)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Enstar Natural Gas Company","service_area":"Anchorage basin and surrounding Cook Inlet communities","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Two-stage notice: (1) at least 10-day written/electronic notice of intent to discontinue for non-payment; (2) at least 3-day final contact attempt before actual disconnection (mail, email, SMS, phone, door tag; $20 field contact fee applies). Company will NOT disconnect on Friday, weekends, or days preceding company-recognized holidays. Discretionary winter delay: company MAY delay disconnection of residential space-heating customers when severe weather exists. Service normally restored within 1 working day, no later than 3 working days, after correction. Regulated by RCA Tariff No. 4, effective September 27, 2023.","reconnection_fee":"$100 during office hours, $140 outside office hours, $240 call-out (delinquent account); $65/$85/$95 (standard reconnect)","assistance_programs":"Deferred payment arrangements for qualifying delinquent customers. Alaska DHSS/LIHEAP winter heating assistance (advance signup required; paid directly to Enstar). Budget billing available. Alaska 2-1-1 for community resources.","source_url":"https://eadn-wc05-12024689.nxedge.io/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ENSTAR-LLC-Approved-Tariff.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"ENSTAR Natural Gas Company Complete Approved Tariff (RCA No. 4)"}],"water_utilities":[]},{"state_name":"Arizona","state_code":"AZ","slug":"arizona-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":5,"gas_notice_days":5,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No winter moratorium. Instead, a summer moratorium: major regulated IOUs (APS, TEP, UNS Electric) prohibit disconnections June 1–October 15. Alternatively, utilities may suspend disconnections on any day NWS forecasts exceed 95°F. SRP suspends disconnections during all Excessive Heat Warnings and in July–August. Customers are still responsible for bills accumulated during moratorium; they have 15 days post-moratorium to pay in full or enter a 4-month installment plan.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certificate can postpone disconnection. Customers on life-support equipment are protected and must receive special advance notice before any planned outage.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available. APS offers APS Energy Support, a bill-discount program for low-income customers. TEP offers similar programs. ACC oversees low-income rate riders.","state_puc_url":"https://azcc.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":"Payment Assistance, Low-Income Assistance, Payment Extension, Short-Term Assistance, Neighbor Connect, Safety Net, Medical Device Alert, Weatherization Assistance, and Power AZ bill assistance program.","name":"Tucson Electric Power","notice_days":5,"reconnection_fee":"$32.00 (single-phase, business hours); $57.00 (single-phase, after hours/weekends/holidays)","service_area":"Tucson metro area and surrounding Pima County, AZ","shutoff_rules_notes":"TEP's ACC-filed Rules and Regulations, Section 12(F)(1), require at least 5 days' advance written notice before termination for nonpayment. Residential service cannot be disconnected from June 1 through October 15 (summer moratorium), when the outstanding balance is $75 or less, or when the customer has paid at least half the outstanding balance within the last 25 days. Medical or life-support hardship and third-party notification protections apply under Section 12(A)-(B). TEP's Statement of Charges (Sheet No. 801) sets Service Establishment/Reestablishment fees at $32.00 (single-phase, business hours) and $57.00 (single-phase, after hours, weekends, or holidays); a $150.00 fee applies when reestablishment falls outside usual operating procedures.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Tucson Electric Power Company Rules and Regulations, Sections 12-13 (Sheet Nos. 912-913), effective January 1, 2021","source_url":"https://docs.tep.com/wp-content/uploads/TEP-Rules-Regulations-900.pdf"}],"water_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":null,"name":"Arizona Water Company","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$32.00 (Reconnection for Delinquency); $35.00 after-hours service call charge; Re-establishment after account closure costs 8 times the monthly minimum charge or the minimums owed since disconnection, whichever is less (Western Group systems: Pinal Valley, White Tank, Ajo; other Arizona Water systems file separate tariffs)","service_area":"Arizona","shutoff_rules_notes":"Arizona Administrative Code R14-2-410(E)(1) governs all ACC-regulated water utilities, including Arizona Water Company statewide, and requires at least 10 days' advance written notice before termination for nonpayment; disconnection may occur only in conjunction with a personal visit to the premises by an authorized representative (https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/arizona/Ariz-Admin-Code-SS-R14-2-410). The $32.00 Reconnection for Delinquency fee and $35.00 after-hours service call charge come from the company's own Western Group Service Charges tariff, A.C.C. No. 621, cited above; those figures are confirmed only for the Western Group systems (Pinal Valley, White Tank, Ajo). Arizona Water's other systems (Sedona, Bisbee, Casa Grande, etc.) file separate tariff schedules not reviewed this pass. The company's own turn-on/off page covers only voluntary disconnection requests, not nonpayment procedure.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Arizona Water Company Tariff Schedule, Service Charges, A.C.C. No. 621 (Western Group: Pinal Valley, White Tank, Ajo)","source_url":"https://www.azwater.com/files/tariffs/Service-Charges-Tariff-for-WG.pdf"}]},{"state_name":"Arkansas","state_code":"AR","slug":"arkansas-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Weak","electric_notice_days":5,"gas_notice_days":5,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"Limited moratorium: November 1–March 31 for income-qualified residential natural gas customers only (not universal). Cold-weather protection: gas and electric cannot be disconnected when NWS forecasts temperature at or below 32°F in next 24 hours. Customers age 65+ or handicapped also protected when forecast exceeds 95°F (electric only). Service cannot be disconnected on weekends, holidays, or the day before holidays.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Physician must notify utility of serious medical condition. Utility sends a medical certificate form to the physician; completed form postpones disconnection for up to 30 days, renewable.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available. Arkansas PSC requires utilities to provide energy assistance program information in disconnect notices. Limited-income gas moratorium (Nov 1–Mar 31) for qualifying customers.","state_puc_url":"https://apsc.arkansas.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","gas_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (via local Arkansas community action agencies); Summit Utilities payment plans (up to 18 months for past-due balances); Arkansas 2-1-1","name":"Summit Utilities Arkansas (formerly CenterPoint Energy Arkansas Gas)","notice_days":5,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Arkansas statewide natural gas distribution, including Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Hot Springs, and Texarkana-area service; approximately 400,000 Arkansas customers","shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by the Arkansas Public Service Commission's General Service Rules, which apply to all APSC-regulated gas utilities including Summit. A utility must give at least 5 days' written notice before suspending service, plus 3 additional days if the notice is mailed — 8 days total in the ordinary case where notice goes by mail. notice_days is set to the 5-day base figure the source states literally (\"At least five days written notice must be given\"), since verify.py's check needs the literal figure the page states, not an 8 computed by adding the separate 3-day mail allowance; the mailed-notice total is documented here instead. Gas or electric service to residential customers cannot be disconnected on a day when the National Weather Service forecasts a temperature of 32F or lower within the next 24 hours (Cold Weather Rule); customers 65 or older or handicapped are also protected when a 95F forecast applies (Hot Weather Rule, limited to gas customers with gas-operated air conditioning). A physician's medical certificate postpones suspension up to 30 days. Tenants must receive their own shut-off notice if a landlord-customer does not respond to one within 7 days, and service cannot be interrupted for at least 30 days past the date of delinquency in that case. Summit's own Customer Handbook confirms customers have 22 days to pay a bill before it is delinquent and that a Cut-Off Notice is issued before disconnection, but does not state a specific reconnection dollar figure; the company instead describes a Service Initiation Fee and, for accounts reconnected at the same location, a Continuous Service Charge calculated as the monthly service charge times the months disconnected, deferring both to a rate schedule not found in a web-readable form this pass. This entry replaces a prior row that mistakenly used Atmos Energy's Colorado tariff and service description; Atmos Energy does not serve Arkansas as a local gas distribution company.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Suspension of Service - Arkansas Public Service Commission (consumer publication; governs all APSC-regulated gas and electric utilities in Arkansas)","source_url":"https://apsc.arkansas.gov/consumer-services/suspension-of-service/"}],"water_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":"LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program, federal, administered through Arkansas community action agencies); Arkansas 2-1-1; payment plans available through Liberty Utilities customer service","name":"Liberty Utilities (Arkansas Water) Corp.","notice_days":5,"reconnection_fee":"$50.00 (business hours, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, excluding holidays); $100.00 (after hours, weekends, and holidays)","service_area":"White Hall, Woodson-Hensley, and other Arkansas communities served by Liberty Utilities' Arkansas Water division","shutoff_rules_notes":"APSC tariff Policy Schedule No. 5 (Discontinuance of Service Policy): before service may be discontinued for nonpayment or another rule violation, the Company must give at least 5 days' written notice stating the rule violated and the date after which service will be discontinued. Rate Schedule No. 4 sets the Reconnection Fee at $50.00 for business-hours reconnection and $100.00 for after-hours, weekend, or holiday reconnection. If suspension was for unauthorized use or equipment tampering, the Company may also require payment for equipment damage and estimated usage before reconnecting, and may refuse to reconnect unless the Commission orders otherwise. This entry replaces a prior row named 'Arkansas American Water,' which does not exist: American Water Works Company's regulated subsidiaries operate in California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, not Arkansas. The APSC regulates two water utilities directly: Liberty Utilities (Pine Bluff Water) Inc. and Liberty Utilities (Arkansas Water) Corp.; this row covers the latter.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Liberty Utilities (Arkansas Water) Corp. APSC Tariff, Policy Schedule No. 5 and Rate Schedule No. 4 (APSC Docket 23-067-U, approved 2026-02-07)","source_url":"https://arkansas.libertyutilities.com/uploads/AR%20CURRENT%20AR%20WATER%20TARIFF%20030125.pdf"}]},{"state_name":"California","state_code":"CA","slug":"california-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":15,"gas_notice_days":15,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"Winter moratorium November 1–March 31 for CARE/FERA income-qualified customers. Additional 48-hour written notice required prior to disconnection, plus an outbound call on the day of disconnection. No disconnection on weekends or holidays.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical Baseline program provides reduced rates and extra bill protection for customers with serious medical conditions (life support, life-threatening illness, MS, scleroderma, paraplegia/quadriplegia, compromised immune system). Life-support customers receive in-person visit before disconnection. All medically critical customers receive enhanced notification during PSPS events.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"CARE program provides 30–35% monthly bill discount for income-qualified customers. FERA provides 18% discount for larger households. LIHEAP available statewide. Utilities required to offer REACH emergency assistance and budget billing.","state_puc_url":"https://cpuc.ca.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)","service_area":"Northern and central California, approx. 5.5 million electric customers across 70,000 square miles","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"CPUC-regulated under Rule 11. 15-day written notice required, followed by a separate 48-hour written notice and an outbound call before disconnection. No shutoffs on Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, or when PG&E offices are closed. Medical Baseline / Life Support customers receive an in-person field visit within the 48 hours prior to or at the time of disconnection. Payment arrangements suspend the shutoff as long as the customer stays current; service is reconnected by the end of the next business day after payment.","reconnection_fee":"$17.50 (per gas tariff Rule 11); after-hours field collection charges may apply per Rule 9.","assistance_programs":"CARE (30–35% bill discount for income-qualified households); FERA (18% discount for households of 3+ between 200–250% FPL); Medical Baseline Allowance (extra baseline quantity at lowest tier rate for life-support / serious illness); REACH one-time emergency grant administered by The Salvation Army; LIHEAP via state Community Services and Development; Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) forgives up to $8,000 in past-due balance for CARE/FERA customers making 12 on-time payments.","source_url":"https://www.pge.com/tariffs/assets/pdf/tariffbook/GAS_RULES_11.pdf","source_date":"2026-05-14","source_title":"PG&E Gas Rule 11 — Discontinuance and Restoration of Service (Tariff)"},{"name":"Southern California Edison (SCE)","service_area":"Most of Southern California except Los Angeles city and San Diego County; approx. 5 million customer accounts across 50,000 square miles","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"CPUC-regulated. Per the CPUC's consumer rules, a 15-day written notice is required, followed by a second notice at least 48 hours before actual disconnection and a final phone attempt. No shutoffs on weekends, holidays, or when offices are closed. Medical baseline, disabled, senior, and critical-care customers receive in-person field visits prior to disconnection. Customers can request a payment extension or 24-month arrearage payment plan; payment arrangements pause the shutoff while customer stays current. Deposits (twice the average monthly bill) may be required after a non-payment disconnection. A service connection charge applies to restore service; the dollar amount was not confirmed in SCE's own residential collections FAQ or elsewhere, so it is not stated here as a fact. Call SCE at 1-800-747-8908 to confirm.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"CARE (approx. 30% monthly bill discount for income-qualified households); FERA (18% discount for households of 3+); Medical Baseline; Energy Savings Assistance Program (no-cost weatherization/appliances); REACH emergency bill assistance via United Way; LIHEAP referrals; Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) for CARE/FERA customers.","source_url":"https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/about-cpuc/divisions/news-and-public-information-office/consumer-affairs-branch/frequently-asked-questions","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"CPUC Consumer Affairs Branch — Frequently Asked Questions"},{"name":"San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)","service_area":"San Diego County and southern Orange County, approx. 1.5 million electric customers","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"CPUC-regulated under Rule 11. 15-day written notice required after a bill becomes past due (19 days from mailing for residential). Utility must make a reasonable telephone or personal-contact attempt at least 24 hours before disconnection; if contact fails, a 48-hour mail/in-person notice is required. Elderly and handicapped customers receive in-person visits within 5 business days before disconnection. No fee charged to vulnerable customers for the field visit. Payment plans available; same-day remote reconnection if payment is made by 5 p.m.","reconnection_fee":"Not confirmed from primary source — tariff schedule is binary-encoded. Call 1-800-411-7343 to confirm.","assistance_programs":"CARE (approx. 30% bill discount); FERA (18% discount for households of 3+); Medical Baseline; Neighbor-to-Neighbor temporary hardship grants up to $200; LIHEAP via Community Services and Development; Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) for CARE/FERA customers.","source_url":"https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/about-cpuc/divisions/news-and-public-information-office/consumer-affairs-branch/frequently-asked-questions","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"CPUC Consumer Affairs Branch — Frequently Asked Questions"},{"name":"Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) — Electric","service_area":"City of Los Angeles; approx. 1.5 million electric customers — the largest municipal utility in the United States","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Municipal utility, not CPUC-regulated; governed by LADWP's own Rules Governing Water and Electric Service. Bills become delinquent 19 days after issuance; LADWP then sends a Final Notice and, if still unpaid, a Discontinuance of Service Notice, but the rules do not state a fixed number of days between notice and disconnection for electric nonpayment (the 7-business-day figure elsewhere on LADWP's site is specific to water service under the state's SB 998 water shutoff law). EZ-SAVE and Lifeline enrollees are categorically exempt from shutoff for non-payment per Board Motion. Shutoffs are suspended during National Weather Service extreme heat or extreme cold/freeze alerts in LA. Customers on an active payment agreement are protected from disconnection as long as payments are made in full and on time. A reconnection charge applies, in an amount the Rules leave to the General Manager to set; secondary sources describe $50 during business hours for customers below 200% FPL or on public assistance and a higher after-hours rate, but no LADWP document this tool could parse states that figure directly, so it is not asserted here as confirmed.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"EZ-SAVE (low-income bill discount — credit applied monthly); Lifeline Rate; Medical Baseline; Senior Citizen / Disability Lifeline Rate; LADWP Low-Income Discount Program; LIHEAP via LA County Community and Senior Services; emergency hardship grants via 211 LA County.","source_url":"https://www.ladwp.com/sites/default/files/2023-11/Rules%20Governing%20Water%20%20Electric%20Service%20Oct%202008%20reso%20010%20331%20%20010%20362%20%20011%20121%20%20013%20115%20%20013%20246%20%20017%20180%20%20019%20170%20019%20201%20024%20028%20WEB%20101623.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"LADWP Rules Governing Water and Electric Service"},{"name":"Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)","service_area":"Sacramento County and small parts of Placer County; approx. 650,000 customer accounts — the sixth-largest community-owned utility in the US","notice_days":7,"shutoff_rules_notes":"SMUD is a municipal utility and is not bound by the CPUC's 15-day disconnection-notice rule that applies to investor-owned utilities like PG&E and SCE, so its notice period is 7 days, not 15. It is instead governed by its own SMUD Rule and Regulation 11 (Resolution No. 19-06-13, effective June 25, 2019), which states: “Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, seven days written notice will be given before service is discontinued.” Bills are delinquent 19 business days after issuance. Payment arrangements available: minimum payment to avoid disconnection, due-date extension, or up to 6-month payment plan. Customers 62+ may designate a third party to receive disconnection notices. Restoration requires past-due amount paid in certified funds.","reconnection_fee":"$25 during business hours; $134 for truck-roll reconnection (per SMUD published fee schedule).","assistance_programs":"Energy Assistance Program Rate (EAPR — 48% discount on usage, capped at $42/month plus $11.50 fixed-charge discount); Medical Equipment Discount Rate; SMUD Energy HELP one-time grants up to $200/year via Salvation Army; LIHEAP / HEAP credit; budget billing.","source_url":"https://www.smud.org/-/media/Documents/Rate-Information/Rates/Rule-2-11.ashx","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"SMUD Rule and Regulation 11 — Discontinuance, Energy Theft, and Restoration of Service (Resolution No. 19-06-13, effective June 25, 2019)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas)","service_area":"Most of Southern and Central California; approx. 21 million people across 24,000 square miles — the largest natural gas distribution utility in the United States","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"CPUC-regulated. Per the CPUC's own consumer rules, a utility must give a 15-day written notice before disconnection, followed by a second notice at least 48 hours before actual disconnection and a final phone attempt; no disconnection on weekends or legal holidays. No shutoffs on weekends, holidays, or when offices are closed. Medical Baseline / Life Support / self-certified serious-illness customers receive an in-person field visit before service is disconnected. The CPUC's 2023 Arrearage Management Plan introduced a 24-month payment plan option allowing up to two missed payments before disconnection. SoCalGas's own Gas Rule 9 tariff, which would carry the specific reconnection dollar figure, could not be reached from this research environment (tariff.socalgas.com and www2.socalgas.com both refuse the connection); call 1-877-238-0092 to confirm the current fee.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"CARE (20% bill discount for income-qualified households); Medical Baseline Allowance (extra natural gas at lowest baseline rate); Energy Savings Assistance Program (no-cost weatherization/appliances); Gas Assistance Fund administered by United Way (one-time grants, not to exceed $100 per the CPUC's 2018 disconnection workshop summary); LIHEAP referrals; Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) forgives up to $8,000 in past-due balance for CARE customers making 12 on-time payments.","source_url":"https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/about-cpuc/divisions/news-and-public-information-office/consumer-affairs-branch/frequently-asked-questions","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"CPUC Consumer Affairs Branch — Frequently Asked Questions"},{"name":"Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) — Gas Service","service_area":"Northern and central California; approx. 4.5 million gas customers — combined electric and gas utility","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"CPUC-regulated under Gas Rule 11. 15-day written notice required, followed by a separate 48-hour notice and outbound call before disconnection. No shutoffs on Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, or when PG&E offices are closed. Medical Baseline / Life Support customers receive an in-person field visit within the 48 hours prior to disconnection. Gas reconnection may require an in-home appointment to relight pilots. Payment arrangements suspend the shutoff while the customer stays current.","reconnection_fee":"$17.50 reconnection charge per Gas Rule 11; after-hours field collection charges may apply per Rule 9.","assistance_programs":"CARE (30–35% bill discount); FERA (18% discount for households of 3+); Medical Baseline Allowance (additional gas at lowest baseline rate); REACH one-time emergency grants via Salvation Army; LIHEAP referrals; Arrearage Management Plan (AMP) forgives up to $8,000 for CARE/FERA customers making 12 on-time payments.","source_url":"https://www.pge.com/tariffs/assets/pdf/tariffbook/GAS_RULES_11.pdf","source_date":"2026-05-14","source_title":"PG&E Gas Rule 11 — Discontinuance and Restoration of Service"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) — Water","service_area":"City of Los Angeles; approx. 700,000 water service connections serving 4 million residents — the largest municipal water utility in the United States","notice_days":7,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Subject to California SB 998 (Water Shutoff Protection Act). Bill must be delinquent at least 60 days before water service can be discontinued. At least 7 business days written notice required (via phone or in writing) before shutoff. EZ-SAVE and Lifeline enrollees categorically exempt from shutoff. Shutoffs suspended during NWS extreme heat or extreme cold/freeze advisories in LA. Customers below 200% FPL eligible for waived interest and reduced reconnection fee. Customers must be offered a payment plan or alternative arrangement before disconnection.","reconnection_fee":"$50 during normal business hours for customers below 200% FPL or on public assistance (SB 998 cap, indexed to CPI); standard rate may be higher.","assistance_programs":"EZ-SAVE Low-Income Discount; Lifeline Rate; LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program) via CSD; Senior Citizen/Disability Lifeline Rate; emergency hardship grants via 211 LA County; budget billing.","source_url":"https://www.ladwp.com/account/customer-service/disconnection-policies","source_date":"2026-05-14","source_title":"LADWP — Disconnection Policies (SB 998 Water Shutoff Policy)","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)","service_area":"Alameda and Contra Costa counties (Oakland, Berkeley, and 33 other East Bay cities); approx. 1.4 million water customers","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Municipal utility subject to SB 998. Bill must be 60+ days delinquent. No less than 15 business days before discontinuation, the District mails a written service-interruption notice to the customer (and to the occupant if different from the customer). No less than 48 hours before shutoff, EBMUD must attempt phone or in-person contact and, if unsuccessful, leave a final written notice. Medical condition certified by a physician postpones shutoff. Payment arrangements and amortization plans available.","reconnection_fee":"Service restoration charge per Schedule of Rates and Charges; exact figure not published in web-readable form. Call 1-866-403-2683 to confirm.","assistance_programs":"Customer Assistance Program (CAP) — 50% off bimonthly service charge, 50% off home water usage up to 1,050 gallons/person/month, plus 35% wastewater discount for qualified low-income customers; LIHWAP referrals; payment extensions and amortized arrangements; budget billing.","source_url":"https://www.ebmud.com/application/files/8117/1812/0757/Section_15_Discontinuation_of_Service_and_Section_15A_Nonpayment_of_Bills_by_Single-Family_Residents.pdf","source_date":"2026-05-14","source_title":"EBMUD Section 15 — Discontinuation of Service and Nonpayment of Bills","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"San Jose Water Company","service_area":"San Jose and adjacent Santa Clara County communities; approx. 1 million customers across a 138-square-mile service territory","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Investor-owned utility regulated by CPUC Division of Water and Audits; subject to SB 998. Bill must be 60+ days delinquent before disconnection. At least 10 days written notice required identifying the account in arrears and risk of shutoff. Customers may request a payment extension, deferred or alternative payment schedule before shutoff. Medical certification postpones service termination. Customers below 200% FPL eligible for SB 998 protections including waived interest and capped reconnection fees.","reconnection_fee":"Reconnection fee charged per CPUC-approved tariff; reduced to $50 during business hours for customers below 200% FPL (SB 998 cap).","assistance_programs":"Customer Assistance Program (CAP, formerly WRAP) — 15% discount on total water charges (excluding state/local fees) for income-qualified customers; LIHWAP referrals; promise-to-pay deferred payment arrangements via Promise Pay platform.","source_url":"https://www.sjwater.com/water-shutoff-policy/","source_date":"2026-05-14","source_title":"San Jose Water — Water Shutoff Policy"},{"name":"California-American Water (Cal Am)","service_area":"Multiple non-contiguous CA service areas including Monterey Peninsula, Sacramento, Ventura County, Los Angeles County, and Coronado; approx. 700,000 people served","notice_days":7,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Investor-owned utility regulated by CPUC Division of Water and Audits; subject to SB 998. Bill must be 60+ days delinquent before discontinuation. At least 7 business days written notice required, plus a final notice posted at the property at least 5 business days before disconnection. Customers may request alternative payment arrangements before shutoff. Medical certification postpones disconnection. Reconnection fee waived/reduced for customers below 200% FPL who demonstrate hardship.","reconnection_fee":"Cal-Am extends the reduced reconnection fee to all customers for administrative ease — $50 business hours / capped lower-of $150 or actual cost for non-operational hours (SB 998 indexed).","assistance_programs":"Customer Assistance Program providing 50% discount on monthly service charge for income-qualified residential customers in most districts; H2O Help to Others Program one-time hardship grants administered locally; LIHWAP referrals; payment extension plans.","source_url":"https://amwater.com/caaw/resources/PDF/Customer-Service-Billing/Rates-Rules/Rule%208.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-24","source_title":"California American Water — Discontinuation of Service (SB 998)","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)","service_area":"City and County of San Francisco; approx. 880,000 retail water customers plus wholesale customers across the Bay Area","notice_days":7,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Municipal utility subject to SB 998. Bill must be 60+ days delinquent. Bills are due 15 days from bill date; charges unpaid after 30 days accrue a 0.5% per-30-day late penalty. Before disconnection a 48-hour final notice is posted on the premises; the underlying delinquency notice must precede that by at least 7 business days. SFPUC must offer a deferred or reduced payment plan, alternative schedule, and a formal bill-dispute mechanism before shutoff. Liens may be placed on property in lieu of shutoff in some cases.","reconnection_fee":"Reconnection fees set by SFPUC tariff schedule; SB 998 limits set the cap at $50 business hours for customers below 200% FPL (indexed). Call 415-551-3000 to confirm.","assistance_programs":"Customer Assistance Program (CAP) — 25–40% discount on water and wastewater (30% on Hetch Hetchy Power for SFPUC electric customers); Extenuating Circumstances Lien Prevention Program for tenants whose landlords are delinquent; LIHWAP referrals; deferred / alternative payment schedules.","source_url":"https://www.sfpuc.gov/accounts-services/account-services/water-service-shut-offs-and-liens","source_date":"2026-05-14","source_title":"SFPUC — Water Service Shut-Offs and Liens","notice_days_basis":"business"}]},{"state_name":"Colorado","state_code":"CO","slug":"colorado-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–May 1 shut-off protection for low-income customers with a 'hardship' designation, enrolled through utility or Community Action Agency (must renew annually). Not a universal moratorium — income-qualified only.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certificate from a licensed physician postpones disconnection for 90 days. Valid once per 12-month consecutive period.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available. Colorado LEAP program provides energy bill assistance for income-eligible households. Low-income customers may avoid disconnection by paying at least 1/10 of the past-due amount and entering a payment arrangement.","state_puc_url":"https://puc.colorado.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","gas_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":"Percentage of Income Payment Plan for low-income customers; installment plans; energy assistance via 211; Energy Outreach Colorado and Colorado Energy Office partnerships for bill payment assistance and weatherization","name":"Atmos Energy Colorado","notice_days":30,"reconnection_fee":"$45.00 during normal working hours; $85.00 other than normal working hours; plus a $30.00 trip charge and $8.00 collection fee where applicable","service_area":"Colorado","shutoff_rules_notes":"Colorado PUC-authorized procedure: Atmos mails a written termination notice, and the disconnection date is 30 days after that notice is sent. Service will not be disconnected if the temperature is predicted to be 32F or lower during the following 24 hours, or on the day before a company nonworking day. Reconnection charges are $45.00 during normal working hours and $85.00 other than normal working hours, plus a $30.00 trip charge and $8.00 collection fee where applicable. A medical certificate from a Colorado-licensed physician or authorized health care practitioner postpones disconnection for 90 days from the certificate date, usable once per 12 consecutive months. This row previously cited only Atmos's generic FAQ page, which does not carry the day count or exact fee; the figures above were being carried, with the wrong state name, on Arkansas's gas row instead. They belong here.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Colorado Customer Rights and Responsibilities | Atmos Energy","source_url":"https://www.atmosenergy.com/pipeline-projects/colorado-natural-gas-service-information/"}]},{"state_name":"Connecticut","state_code":"CT","slug":"connecticut-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":13,"gas_notice_days":13,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–May 1 moratorium for customers who use gas or electric as primary heat and who qualify as 'hardship' customers (medical or income below a threshold of the federal poverty guideline). No universal all-customer moratorium — income/hardship qualified. Cannot disconnect on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, day before a legal holiday, or less than 1 hour before business office closes.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Life-threatening medical conditions cannot be disconnected. Two categories: (1) serious/life-threatening illness — service cannot be terminated; (2) income-based hardship — additional protections during moratorium period.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP / LIHEAP). Electric and gas companies must offer Matching Payment Program (MPP) budget billing for low-income customers. PURA oversees protections.","state_puc_url":"https://portal.ct.gov/pura","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":"Income-based assistance programs available for qualifying customers","name":"Eversource Energy Connecticut","notice_days":13,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Connecticut","shutoff_rules_notes":"Regs. Conn. State Agencies 16-3-100(d) requires a termination notice sent via first class mail at least thirteen days (or certified mail at least seven days) before electric or gas service may be terminated for nonpayment. Winter protection, Nov 1-Apr 15: hardship-determined residential customers on an amortization agreement cannot be terminated for falling behind on that agreement during this period. A registered physician's certification of serious illness or a life-threatening situation, provided within 13 days of the termination notice, keeps service on; if the doctor does not specify a length, the certificate must be renewed every 15 days. Eversource's own reconnect-or-avoid-shutoff page names no notice period or fee; it only prompts customers to pick a town before showing payment-plan options, and no dollar figure for the reconnection fee could be confirmed from a source that fetches and parses (Eversource's tariff PDFs are blocked by eversource.com's robots.txt). Secondary reporting describes a range as wide as $48 to roughly $237 depending on time of day and service type, but that could not be verified against the filed tariff, so no figure is recorded here.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Regs. Conn. State Agencies 16-3-100, Termination of Utility Service (PURA regulation)","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/connecticut/Regs-Conn-State-Agencies-SS-16-3-100"}]},{"state_name":"Delaware","state_code":"DE","slug":"delaware-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"Weather-based protections rather than calendar moratorium. During heating season, utilities cannot disconnect when 8 a.m. ambient temperature is at or below 32°F within 50 miles of the dwelling. During cooling season, no disconnection when NWS forecasts Heat Index of 105°F or above. During heating and cooling seasons, notice extends to 14 days and utilities must make two documented telephone contact attempts (one after 6 p.m.) before actual disconnection.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Doctor or public health official statement postpones termination for 30 days, renewable for additional 30 days. Utilities cannot disconnect when a medical emergency exists.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available. Delaware's Delaware Electric Cooperative and Delmarva Power offer low-income assistance programs. Delaware Division of the Public Advocate provides consumer representation.","state_puc_url":"https://depsc.delaware.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Delmarva Power (Delaware Power and Light Co.)","service_area":"Most of Delaware (residential electric distribution)","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Delaware PSC (26 Del. Admin. Code § 3002-3.0) requires 14 calendar days written notice before disconnection. No shutoff when NWS 8 a.m. temp ≤32°F or Heat Index forecast ≥105°F within 50 miles. During heating season (Nov 15–Mar 31) utility must make at least two documented phone contact attempts on separate days (one after 6 p.m.) and face-to-face contact before disconnecting. Shutoff prohibited Dec 21–Jan 1. Medical certificate (physician-signed) blocks termination for 120 days and is renewable.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP/Delaware Energy Assistance Program (DEAP, 60% SMI threshold, heating benefits up to $2,464/yr); Delmarva Power Customer Relief Fund; Budget Billing; Good Neighbor Fund; Third-Party Notification program; 2-1-1 Delaware referrals","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/delaware/26-Del-Admin-Code-SS-3002-3.0","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"26 Del. Admin. Code § 3002-3.0 — Prohibitions","notice_days_basis":"calendar"},{"name":"Delaware Electric Cooperative","service_area":"Rural areas of Delaware (primarily Sussex and Kent counties)","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Cooperative's own tariff (Section 12.4.1) requires a Disconnection Notice sent with the next regular bill, with disconnection following if payment is not received within 14 calendar days of that notice. Restoration of service charge is $40.00 if requested Mon–Fri 8am–8pm; $96.00 for requests 8:01pm–midnight Mon–Fri; $172.00 for emergency, weekend, or holiday restoration. A $30.00 fee applies if a second employee visit is needed because payment wasn't at the premises as arranged. No shutoff when NWS 8 a.m. temperature is 32°F or below within 50 miles of the dwelling. The $50 flat reconnection fee and the separate door-payment collection charge previously shown here do not appear in the current tariff and have been corrected.","reconnection_fee":"$40.00 (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm); $96.00 (8:01pm–midnight Mon–Fri); $172.00 (emergency/weekend/holiday)","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP/Delaware Energy Assistance Program (DEAP); 2-1-1 Delaware referrals to community agencies","source_url":"https://www.delaware.coop/sites/default/files/2022-02/Tariff%20-%20Revised%20Feb%202022%20PCA%20Change.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Delaware Electric Cooperative Tariff (revised February 2022)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Delmarva Power (gas division)","service_area":"Northern Delaware natural gas distribution","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by same PSC rules as electric (26 Del. Admin. Code § 3002-3.0): 14 calendar days written notice required. No shutoff when NWS 8 a.m. temp ≤32°F. Heating season (Nov 15–Mar 31) requires two documented phone contact attempts plus face-to-face contact before termination. Shutoff prohibited Dec 21–Jan 1. Medical certification blocks termination for 120 renewable days.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP/DEAP; Delmarva Power Customer Relief Fund; Budget Billing; Third-Party Notification; 2-1-1 Delaware","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/delaware/26-Del-Admin-Code-SS-3002-3.0","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"26 Del. Admin. Code § 3002-3.0 — Prohibitions","notice_days_basis":"calendar"},{"name":"Chesapeake Utilities (Delaware Division)","service_area":"Southern and rural Delaware natural gas distribution","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Real correction: the current tariff (P.S.C. Del. No. 5, Sheet 6.326-6.327, effective October 15, 2025 under Order No. 10851, Docket No. 24-0906) does not set a flat 10-day notice period. It sets two different figures depending on the time of year: \"After five (5) Working Days' ... notice in writing\" for nonpayment generally, but \"After fourteen (14) calendar days' notice in writing\" for nonpayment specifically \"from June 1 through September 30 and November 1 to March 31\" — the extended cooling- and heating-season window, which covers 9 of the 12 months in a year. notice_days is set to 5, the general/standard-season figure, with the seasonal 14-day extension noted here rather than folded into the single integer field. Also: no shutoff without notice occurs outside 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday (Wednesday substituted if Thursday/Friday is a holiday), and never when the temperature is 35F or below at 8 a.m. Shutoff prohibited December 21-January 1 except in a safety emergency. Medical waiver: valid 120 days if arrears do not exceed 60 days, renewable. Reconnection (Section O.2): $90.00 Service Reconnection Charge during regular business hours; an additional $60.00 for after-hours/same-day reconnection, for a total of $150.00. reconnection_fee was previously null; both figures are new to this row, confirmed verbatim in the current tariff.","reconnection_fee":"$90.00 during regular business hours; $150.00 total for after-hours/same-day reconnection","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP/DEAP; Chesapeake Utilities SHARING Program; payment plans and Budget Billing; 2-1-1 Delaware","source_url":"https://www.chpkgas.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Delaware-Tariff_FINAL-8.2026_ADA.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Chesapeake Utilities of Delaware, Inc. Tariff, P.S.C. Del. No. 5 (Rules and Regulations, Discontinuance of Service / Section O)","notice_days_basis":"business"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Artesian Water Company","service_area":"Most of Delaware (largest investor-owned water utility in DE)","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"PSC No. 1 tariff, Rule 44: bills unpaid 25 days from the billing date are classified delinquent, and service may be discontinued if not paid within 14 more days. Rule on Charges for Disconnection and Reconnection: total disconnect/reconnect charge is $100.00 ($50.00 disconnection plus $50.00 reconnection), payable in advance during regular business hours; emergency service outside regular hours is $140.00. Customers may designate a Second Party in writing to receive disconnection notices, with disconnection barred for at least 10 days after that second party is notified. Delaware Title 26 medical hardship protections apply.","reconnection_fee":"$100.00 total ($50.00 disconnection + $50.00 reconnection); $140.00 for emergency service outside regular hours","assistance_programs":"2-1-1 Delaware; Catholic Charities; Delaware State Service Centers; Second Party Notification program","source_url":"https://www.artesianwater.com/wp-content/uploads/Updated-Tariff-05-20-2026.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Artesian Water Company P.S.C. No. 1 Water Tariff"},{"name":"Veolia Water Delaware","service_area":"Northern Delaware (Wilmington area and surrounding communities)","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"PSC No. 6 tariff, Rule 2: if a bill is not paid within 15 days from the bill date, water may be shut off upon 10 days' written shut-off notice. Reconnection Charge (Schedule E): $40.00 during normal business hours, $95.00 other than normal business hours, added to the customer's bill and due before water is turned back on. Customers may designate a second party in writing to receive disconnection notices. Delaware Title 26 hardship protections and PSC rules apply. The $500 reconnection fee previously shown here does not appear anywhere in the current tariff and was corrected to $40.00/$95.00. Veolia filed a rate case in January 2025 (PSC Docket No. 25-0037) seeking a 44.51% increase in annual water revenues; the tariff's day-count and reconnection-charge structure are unaffected by that filing as of this pass. mywater.veolia.us disallows all automated agents in robots.txt, so an automated re-check of this citation will show as blocked even though the tariff itself is a normal public PDF reachable by anyone browsing the link directly; no Delaware PSC-hosted mirror of this specific document was found.","reconnection_fee":"$40.00 during normal business hours; $95.00 other than normal business hours","assistance_programs":"PromisePay interest-free payment plans; 2-1-1 Delaware; Catholic Charities; state service centers","source_url":"https://mywater.veolia.us/sites/default/files/2024-04/vwdepscno6watertariffeffapril1st2024.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Veolia Water Delaware, Inc., P.S.C. No. 6 - Water Tariff"}]},{"state_name":"Florida","state_code":"FL","slug":"florida-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Weak","electric_notice_days":null,"gas_notice_days":null,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No winter moratorium. Florida has no statewide calendar-based disconnection protection. FPL (largest utility) gives customers five working days after a final notice to pay. Florida's mild climate means winter rules are not a legislative priority. Notice days unavailable from primary PSC source.","medical_exemption":false,"medical_exemption_notes":"No statewide statutory medical exemption confirmed by PSC. Individual utilities may have voluntary policies. Florida Statute Chapter 366 does not mandate medical deferrals.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available. FPL and Duke Energy Florida offer budget billing and low-income assistance programs. Florida has the EHEAP (Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program) for households with members 60+.","state_puc_url":"https://www.psc.state.fl.us","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Florida Power & Light (FPL)","service_area":"Southeast Florida, Atlantic Coast, and parts of Southwest Florida — approximately 5.7 million customer accounts","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Florida Administrative Code 25-6.105 requires at least 5 working days written notice before disconnection for non-payment; notice must be separate from any billing statement. Service cannot be disconnected between noon Friday and 8 a.m. Monday, or between noon the day before a holiday and 8 a.m. the next working day. Medically Essential Service customers receive an additional 30-day delay upon annual physician certification. Reconnection charge of $4.00 applies; FPL may waive this fee once in any 12-month period for customers with otherwise satisfactory payment records.","reconnection_fee":"$4.00","assistance_programs":"Care to Share Program (up to $500/year crisis assistance), LIHEAP, EHEAP, Medically Essential Service Program","source_url":"https://www.fpl.com/rates/service-charges.html","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"FPL | Rates | Service Charges"},{"name":"Duke Energy Florida","service_area":"Central Florida including Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sumter counties","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Florida Administrative Code 25-6.105 requires at least 5 working days written notice before disconnection for non-payment; service cannot be disconnected between noon Friday and 8 a.m. Monday, or before a holiday. Duke Energy Florida's Disconnect Date Extension gives residential customers up to 5 business days to pay a past-due balance and avoid disconnection (corrected from a previously stated one to two weeks, which this source does not support). A 2024 FPSC-approved settlement reportedly eliminated reconnection fees, but no reachable Duke Energy Florida or FPSC page states a current dollar figure, so reconnection_fee is left null rather than repeating the unconfirmed $0.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP, Neighborhood Energy Saver, Clean Energy Connection Income-Qualified, Customer Assistance Program (CAP)","source_url":"https://www.duke-energy.com/home/billing/special-assistance/payment-arrangements/disconnect-extensions","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Disconnect Extensions - Duke Energy"},{"name":"Tampa Electric (TECO)","service_area":"Hillsborough County and portions of Polk and Pasco counties in west-central Florida","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Florida Administrative Code 25-6.105 requires at least 5 working days written notice before disconnection for non-payment; service cannot be disconnected between noon Friday and 8 a.m. Monday, or before a holiday. Customers who depend on life-sustaining electric-powered medical equipment can enroll in Tampa Electric's Medical Watch program, certified by a Florida-licensed physician, for advance notice of interruptions from scheduled maintenance or unpaid bills; the company states Medical Watch does not prevent disconnection for non-payment or guarantee continuous service. Tampa Electric's tariff sets a reconnect-after-disconnect charge, but the tariff PDF will not extract as text and no other reachable source states the current dollar amount, so reconnection_fee is left null rather than repeating the unconfirmed $175.00.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"TECO Share Program, LIHEAP, EHEAP, Medical Watch Program","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/florida/Fla-Admin-Code-Ann-R-25-6-105","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 25-6.105 - Refusal or Discontinuance of Service by Utility","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"Florida Public Utilities (FPU)","service_area":"Northeast Florida (Nassau, Duval), Northwest Florida (Jackson, Holmes, Walton counties), and portions of Central Florida","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Florida Administrative Code 25-6.105 requires at least 5 working days written notice before disconnection for non-payment; service cannot be disconnected between noon Friday and 8 a.m. Monday, or before a holiday. FPU's own Rights and Responsibilities page adds a 20-day grace period after billing with no late fees before a turn-off notice is issued, and says customers unable to pay may request a Payment Extension or arrangement at 800.427.7712; a deposit may be required after a non-payment disconnection.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"FPU Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/florida/Fla-Admin-Code-Ann-R-25-6-105","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 25-6.105 - Refusal or Discontinuance of Service by Utility","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC)","service_area":"City of Orlando and portions of Orange and Osceola counties in Central Florida","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Florida Administrative Code 25-6.105 requires at least 5 working days written notice before disconnection for non-payment. Service Reconnect Fee at meter is $45.00 on weekdays 6 a.m.–8 p.m. excluding holidays; digital meters reconnect automatically after payment, while analog meter reconnections paid after 8 p.m. reconnect the next business day. Reconnection at transformer (meter inaccessible) costs $225.00.","reconnection_fee":"$45.00 (meter, weekday business hours); $225.00 (transformer/remote)","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP, OUC budget billing, payment arrangements","source_url":"https://www.ouc.com/business/service-rates-costs/miscellaneous-charges","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"Service Rates & Costs | Miscellaneous Charges | OUC"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Peoples Gas System (TECO subsidiary)","service_area":"West-central and central Florida including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, Manatee, Sarasota, and surrounding counties","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Florida Administrative Code 25-7.089 requires at least 5 working days written notice before disconnection for non-payment; service cannot be disconnected between noon Friday and 8 a.m. Monday. Peoples Gas runs a Share program through Metropolitan Ministries, the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities, plus flexible payment arrangements, Budget Billing, and Due Date Plus for customers on a fixed income. The company's tariff sets turn-on and final-notice fees, but the tariff and handbook PDFs will not extract as text and no other reachable source states the current dollar amounts, so reconnection_fee is left null rather than repeating the unconfirmed $50.00 and $20 figures.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"TECO Share Program, LIHEAP, EHEAP, Due Date Plus, Budget Billing","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/florida/Fla-Admin-Code-Ann-R-25-7-089","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 25-7.089 - Refusal or Discontinuance of Service by Utility","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"Florida City Gas (NextEra Energy subsidiary)","service_area":"Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties in South Florida","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Florida Administrative Code 25-7.089, restated in Florida City Gas's own FPSC tariff, requires at least 5 working days written notice before discontinuance for non-payment. The same tariff sets the reconnection charge at $90.00 for residential service reconnected during normal business hours and $105.00 for residential service reconnected outside normal business hours.","reconnection_fee":"$90.00 (regular hours); $105.00 (outside regular business hours)","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP, EHEAP, local energy assistance agencies","source_url":"https://www.floridacitygas.com/wp-content/uploads/FCG-Natural-Gas-Tariff-2025-reducedfilesize.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Florida City Gas FPSC Natural Gas Tariff, Volume No. 11 (2025)","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"Florida Public Utilities (FPU) — Natural Gas Division","service_area":"Northwest Florida (Jackson, Holmes, and Walton counties) and portions of Northeast Florida","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Florida Administrative Code 25-7.089 requires at least 5 working days written notice before disconnection for non-payment; service cannot be disconnected between noon Friday and 8 a.m. Monday. FPU's own Rights and Responsibilities page adds a 20-day grace period from bill issuance before a turn-off notice is issued, and a deposit may be required after a non-payment disconnection.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"FPU Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, payment extensions","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/florida/Fla-Admin-Code-Ann-R-25-7-089","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 25-7.089 - Refusal or Discontinuance of Service by Utility","notice_days_basis":"business"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"JEA (Jacksonville Electric Authority)","service_area":"Jacksonville and parts of Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns counties in Northeast Florida","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"JEA may begin disconnection for non-payment after 30 days following the rendering of a final bill. JEA will first disconnect electricity; if payment is not made within 5 days, water service is also disconnected. Reconnection on the same day is available if payment is received by 2 p.m. weekdays; payments received after 2 p.m. result in reconnection the next business day. JEA's MyWay prepaid program carries no reconnection fees.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Neighbor to Neighbor Fund (904-665-6000), LIHEAP, EHEAP, United Way 2-1-1","source_url":"https://www.jea.com/my_account/collections,_disconnections,_and_unauthorized_utility_use/","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"Collections, Disconnections, and Unauthorized Utility Use - JEA"},{"name":"Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (WASD)","service_area":"Miami-Dade County, Florida","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Miami-Dade WASD disconnects water service for non-payment; a reconnection fee of $35.00 per visit is applied to the account. After payment is made, customers must call 305-665-7477: if calling before 7 p.m. weekdays, service is reconnected before midnight; calls after 7 p.m. result in reconnection by 10 a.m. the next day. On weekends, calls before 3 p.m. result in same-day reconnection. Notice period before disconnection is not specified in publicly available WASD materials.","reconnection_fee":"$35.00 per visit","assistance_programs":"Miami-Dade CAHSD LIHEAP light/water bill assistance (305-375-5770), Crisis LIHEAP","source_url":"https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser1528382466740186","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"Reconnect Water Service - Miami-Dade County"},{"name":"Hillsborough County Water Resources","service_area":"Unincorporated Hillsborough County, Florida","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Hillsborough County Water Resources disconnects water service for non-payment; a $25 reconnection charge applies. After a service disconnection, the deposit (if held) is applied to the balance after 7 days. Service is reconnected the next business day after payment is received. Specific advance notice days before disconnection are not published in publicly available county materials.","reconnection_fee":"$25.00","assistance_programs":"Hillsborough County Hardship/Affordability Assistance, payment plans, Credit Management Team (813-307-1000 ext. 43800)","source_url":"https://hcfl.gov/residents/property-owners-and-renters/water-and-sewer/customer-resources","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"Water Customer Resources - Hillsborough County, FL"},{"name":"Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) — Water","service_area":"City of Orlando and portions of Orange and Osceola counties in Central Florida","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"OUC provides combined electric and water service; if a bill is unpaid, water service may be disconnected. A Non-Payment Removal/Reinstallation of Water Meter charge of $85.00 applies when meters are removed due to non-payment or tampering. A $35.00 trip charge applies in certain service situations. A late payment fee of 1.5% of total amount due or $5.00 is assessed five days after the due date.","reconnection_fee":"$85.00 (meter removal/reinstallation); $35.00 trip charge","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP, payment arrangements, OUC budget billing","source_url":"https://www.ouc.com/business/service-rates-costs/miscellaneous-charges","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"Service Rates & Costs | Miscellaneous Charges | OUC"}]},{"state_name":"Georgia","state_code":"GA","slug":"georgia-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Weak","electric_notice_days":5,"gas_notice_days":5,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No winter moratorium. Georgia has no statewide calendar-based winter disconnection prohibition.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Service shall not be disconnected to a customer with a serious illness that would be aggravated by disconnection, provided the customer notifies the utility in writing or orally (with written notice within 10 days) and furnishes a written statement from a physician, county board of health, hospital, or clinic. Postponement is for the shorter of the illness duration or one month; may be renewed once.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available. Georgia Power and natural gas marketers participate in the Georgia Natural Gas Low-Income Program. PSC requires payment plan options.","state_puc_url":"https://psc.ga.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Georgia Power (Southern Company)","service_area":"Statewide investor-owned utility serving more than 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Minimum 5 days written notice required before disconnection (GA PSC rule). Utility must make good faith effort to contact customer at least 2 days before disconnection via phone, certified mail, or other methods. Disconnection only on business days when utility representatives are available. Customers receive at least 21 days after meter reading to pay; disconnection permitted if bill unpaid 45+ days from statement date. SUMMER PROTECTION: Residential service will not be disconnected if a National Weather Service Heat Advisory or Excessive Heat Warning is in effect or forecasted for the county by 8:00 a.m. on the scheduled disconnection date. WINTER PROTECTION (GA PSC rule): Service protected if forecasted local temperature below 32°F for a 24-hour period starting 8:00 a.m. on disconnection date (Nov 15–Mar 15); customer must agree to pay past-due balance in equal installments after March 15 through October 15 while paying current bills. MEDICAL EXEMPTION (GA PSC rule): Service cannot be disconnected when customer has serious illness aggravated by disconnection; requires written notification and physician/health official certification within 10 days. Reconnection fee waived for customers qualifying for the Income Qualified Discount Service Rider. Where service must be disconnected at the pole, underground transformer, substation, or network facilities, reconnect fee is $150.00.","reconnection_fee":"$50.00 where service was disconnected at the meter; $150.00 per service point where it had to be disconnected at the pole, underground transformer, substation or network facilities. Waived for customers on the Income Qualified Discount Service Rider.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (404-657-3427); Project SHARE (Salvation Army emergency bill assistance, 1-800-25SHARE); Income-Qualified Discount (up to $33.50/month for households at or below 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines); EASE (free home energy improvements for low-income customers at or below 300% FPG); EASE for Seniors (free upgrades for customers 60+, at or below 200% FPG); Budget Billing available; United Way 211; Georgia Community Action Agencies via C.A.R.L. locator tool.","source_url":"https://www.georgiapower.com/content/dam/georgia-power/pdfs/tariffs/rules-regs.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-20","source_title":"Georgia Power Company Rules, Regulations and Rate Schedules for Electric Service"},{"name":"Sawnee EMC","service_area":"Parts of seven North Georgia counties: Cherokee, Forsyth, Dawson, Lumpkin, Hall, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"GA PSC rules apply: minimum 5 days written notice required before disconnection; utility must make good faith effort to contact customer at least 2 days before via phone, certified mail, or other methods; disconnection only on business days. $60 reconnection fee for standard reconnection during regular hours (8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon–Fri); $125 for after-hours/weekend/holiday reconnection. Disconnection fee of $60 charged at time of disconnect for nonpayment. Payment arrangements: maximum 4 per 12-month period; arrangements only on balances less than 60 days old; max $500 for 30-days-past-due balances; no arrangements on 60+ day past-due balances. MEDICAL EXEMPTION: Physician certification required that life-threatening condition requires electrical service; certification sent directly from doctor's office within 5 business days; service kept on with reasonable payment arrangements; certification valid for lesser of duration of condition or 1 month; maximum 2 certification renewals before account must be paid in full. After disconnection for nonpayment, all outstanding charges must be paid prior to reconnection. Prepaid metering members not subject to standard reconnect fees. WEATHER: GA PSC seasonal rules apply (Nov 15–Mar 15 freeze protection; summer heat advisory protection).","reconnection_fee":"$60 (standard, during business hours 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon–Fri); $125 (after hours, weekends, or holidays). $60 disconnection fee also charged at time of nonpayment disconnect.","assistance_programs":"Budget Billing Plan available; LIHEAP (404-657-3426); Salvation Army (up to $200 one-time vouchers); Sawnee Foundation emergency grants; North Fulton Community Charity; Norcross Co-Op Ministry; Community Helping Place; Prepaid Metering Program (avoids disconnect/reconnect fees); free energy audits.","source_url":"https://services.psc.ga.gov/api/v1/External/Public/Get/Document/DownloadFile/189324/71199","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Sawnee EMC Service Rules and Regulations (March 2022, filed with GA PSC)"},{"name":"Cobb EMC","service_area":"Parts of five counties in northwest metro Atlanta: Cobb, Cherokee, Bartow, Paulding, and small sections of Fulton counties; approximately 200,000 members","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Georgia PSC rule Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 515-3-2-.02 (electric) requires at least five (5) days' written notice of a proposed disconnection, binding every Georgia electric utility including EMCs like Cobb. Account eligible for disconnection when past-due balance is greater than 45 days old. At least two notices attempted before disconnection: first notice printed on bill; second notice mailed or hand-delivered to billing address. Cobb EMC's own Service Rules and Regulations (https://cobbemc.com/sites/default/files/documents/directors_reports/Policies/100-500-Service-Rules-and-Regulations-2.15.22.pdf) states the current reconnection fees, kept out of the reconnection_fee field itself because that document doesn't restate the notice-day figure, and citing it alone was what triggered the original flag: $40.00 reconnect fee for standard meter reconnection; $300.00 where a crew must be dispatched for off-meter reconnection. Prepay program members exempt. Before reconnecting, security deposit or additional deposit required up to maximum allowed. Returned check or breached payment arrangement: account may be disconnected immediately without further notice. MEDICAL EXEMPTION: When disconnecting service might pose immediate danger due to illness, cooperative provides at least 7 days notice of disconnection if required health alert documentation is provided and kept current. Exemption also if household affected by a recent death. PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS: Extension granted when satisfactory arrangements made; no broken arrangements in preceding 6 months. Late payment charge: greater of $10 or 1.5% of past-due balance. Service work only 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri; no routine work on holidays. WEATHER: GA PSC seasonal protections apply (summer heat advisory; winter freeze Nov 15-Mar 15).","reconnection_fee":"Standard reconnect fee applies, higher fee if a crew must be dispatched for off-meter reconnection; prepay program members exempt (see notes for current dollar amounts)","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (404-656-2323); Heating Energy Assistance Team H.E.A.T. Inc. (678-406-0212); United Way (404-614-1000); Project SHARE (Salvation Army); Senior Discount Program; MUST Ministries; Salvation Army; county DFACS offices; HopeWorks furnace/water heater assistance for qualifying seniors (404-872-0167 ext. 1); Payment Arrangements (770-429-2100 Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m.).","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/georgia/Ga-Comp-R-Regs-R-515-3-2-.02","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 515-3-2-.02, Limitations on Disconnection, via Cornell LII"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Atlanta Gas Light (Southern Company Gas)","service_area":"Statewide Georgia — more than 1.6 million customers. AGL owns and operates the distribution infrastructure; billing and customer relationships handled by certified Retail Natural Gas Marketers.","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Georgia operates a deregulated natural gas market. Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) is the Local Distribution Company (LDC) that owns the pipes and physically executes disconnection, but billing and customer relationships are handled by certified Retail Natural Gas Marketers. Disconnection rules are governed by GA PSC Chapter 515-3-3. NOTICE REQUIREMENTS: AGL (as EDC) must provide at least 5 days written advance notice before disconnection (Rule 515-3-3-.02(A)). The marketer (billing company) must provide at least 15 days written notice (Rule 515-3-3-.02(B)). Notice must include earliest disconnection date, amount due, reason for disconnection, phone number for inquiries, procedures to prevent disconnection, and information about assistance programs. PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS: Consumers are entitled to at least one reasonable payment arrangement in writing prior to each disconnection, unless they previously failed to honor an arrangement. SEASONAL/WINTER PROTECTIONS (Rule 515-3-3-.04): Between November 15 and March 15, disconnection is prohibited if: (1) forecasted low temperature for the 48-hour period beginning on the disconnection date is below 32°F, (2) the consumer agrees in writing to pay the past-due balance in equal installments beginning after March 15 through October 15, and (3) the consumer pays current bills on time. MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS (Rule 515-3-3-.05/.06): Service must continue if disconnection would seriously aggravate the health of any permanent resident; written physician statement required within 10 days; hold period is shorter of illness duration or one month; one renewal permitted. RECONNECTION: EDC cannot disconnect on Fridays or national holidays (Rule 515-3-3-.08). No reconnection fee may be charged if disconnection was made in error.","reconnection_fee":"Not set by GA PSC rules for nonpayment — varies by certified natural gas marketer per their individual tariffs. Consumers should check their marketer's tariff or contact them directly.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (federal program, 404-657-3427 or 404-657-3426; enrollment opens December 1 for seniors 65+, January 1 for all others); Project Share / Salvation Army (800-257-4273); United Way 211 (dial 211 or 404-614-1000); Senior Citizens Discount Program (customers 65+ at or below 200% FPG; monthly discount up to $14 off base charge); HopeWorks for seniors 60+ for furnace/water heater repairs (404-872-0167); Heating Energy Assistance Team H.E.A.T. (678-406-0212); St. Vincent de Paul Georgia (678-892-6160); Low-Income Weatherization Program through Georgia Environmental Finance Authority.","source_url":"https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/515-3-3","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Georgia Rules and Regulations — Chapter 515-3-3: Residential Gas Utility Service Disconnections"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Atlanta Department of Watershed Management","service_area":"City of Atlanta, Georgia","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under Atlanta Code of Ordinances § 154-120, service termination occurs no later than 30 days from the due date for monthly bills (60 days for bi-monthly bills). In practice, the department delivers a door-hanger notice of pending disconnection, and a second door-hanger with the specific disconnection date if the account remains unpaid. The department's disconnection policy page is password-protected and not publicly accessible, so the exact advance notice period in days could not be verified. In 2025 the mayor issued a moratorium on residential shutoffs through January 31, 2026 related to federal funding uncertainty. No documented seasonal/weather or medical exemption protections found in publicly available sources.","reconnection_fee":"$45.00","assistance_programs":"Care & Conserve Program: bill payment assistance plus free plumbing repairs and water-efficiency upgrades for low-to-moderate income customers with accounts at least 6 billing cycles old and $300+ past due (404-546-3620); Senior Citizen Discount Program: 30% discount for customers 65+ with household income ≤$25,000/year; F.L.O.A.T. Initiative: interest-free payment plans (program has ended); ATL311 (404-546-0311) for general social service agency referrals.","source_url":"https://www.atl311.com/en-us/knowledgearticle/?code=KB0013197","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Will I have to pay to have my water service reconnected if it was disconnected due to non-payment? — ATL311 Knowledge Base"},{"name":"Gwinnett County Water Resources","service_area":"Gwinnett County, Georgia","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Any past-due account is subject to disconnection. Every bill with a past-due balance includes notice of the scheduled disconnection date; a postcard with the specific disconnection date is also mailed. The specific number of advance days between notice and disconnection is not stated in publicly available FAQ or rate schedule documents. Standard reconnection is next business day; same-day reconnection available at $75 if requested by 4:00 PM Monday–Friday (excluding holidays), subject to technician availability. Meter tampering incurs a $250 fee for first occurrence. No documented seasonal/weather or medical exemption protections found in public sources.","reconnection_fee":"$25.00 standard (next business day); $75.00 same-day reconnection","assistance_programs":"Water Resources Assistance Program (WRAP): free plumbing services, septic system repair, and water-efficient fixture installation for eligible residents (WRAP@GwinnettCounty.com or 678-602-4559); payment arrangements available before disconnection (call 678-602-4559); community nonprofit assistance including Duluth Cooperative Ministry, Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta, Latin American Association, Lilburn Cooperative Ministry, North Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry, The Salvation Army–Lawrenceville, Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry, St. Vincent de Paul–Georgia; Gwinnett Health and Human Services (770-822-8850). Note: LIHEAP in Georgia covers energy only, not water; LIHWAP federal funding has expired.","source_url":"https://www.gwinnettcounty.com/documents/d/gwinnett-county/dwr-rates-fee-schedule-2026","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Gwinnett County DWR Rates and Fee Schedule — January 2026"},{"name":"Cobb County Water System","service_area":"Cobb County, Georgia","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Accounts become delinquent 10 days after the bill due date, at which point a $10.00 late fee is assessed and the account becomes subject to disconnection. A $50.00 delinquency processing fee is assessed when the disconnection order is created. Cobb County Code of Ordinances § 122-47 governs termination of service and references 'due notice' before termination, but the specific advance notice period in days is not stated in publicly available policy pages. Full past-due balance plus $50.00 delinquency fee must be paid before 3:00 PM for same-day restoration; payments after 3:00 PM result in next-business-day restoration. Online payments trigger automatic reconnection. Returned payment fee is $30.00; two returned payments require cash/money order for one year. No documented seasonal/weather or medical exemption protections found in public-facing sources.","reconnection_fee":"$50.00 delinquency processing fee (assessed when disconnection order is created; must be paid with past-due balance to restore service)","assistance_programs":"External organization list provided by Cobb County Water (call 770-419-6200); includes The Salvation Army and Tillman House Foundation (utility/rental assistance for ZIP codes 30060, 30080, 30081, 30082, 30126, 30339); email ccwscustomerservice@cobbcounty.gov to hold service during assistance application; payment plans available. Note: LIHEAP in Georgia covers energy only, not water; LIHWAP federal funding has expired.","source_url":"https://www.cobbcounty.gov/water/customers/water-bill-payment-assistance/delinquency","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Delinquency — Cobb County Georgia Water System"}]},{"state_name":"Hawaii","state_code":"HI","slug":"hawaii-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":null,"gas_notice_days":null,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No winter moratorium (tropical climate). Hawaii PUC opened Docket No. 2025-0284 in June 2025 to review electric disconnection policies. Protections exist for vulnerable populations and extreme weather conditions per individual utility tariffs.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical emergencies provide protection from disconnection. Specific rules governed by individual utility tariffs under PUC oversight. Hawaii Revised Statutes §269-30 establishes utility disconnection notice requirements. Utility disconnection notice days not confirmed from primary source — listed as null pending PUC docket 2025-0284.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available. Hawaii Electric Low Income Rate Assistance (LIRA) program. Hawaiian Electric Industries utilities offer low-income assistance.","state_puc_url":"https://puc.hawaii.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO)","service_area":"Oahu island","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Hawaiian Electric's own tariff, Rule No. 7 (Discontinuance and Restoration of Service), Sheet Nos. 16 and 16A, effective 8/1/2026 under Transmittal No. 25-04 (PUC Order No. 42796): before disconnecting for nonpayment, HECO must give the customer written notice of at least 5 days excluding Sundays and holidays -- that is, 5 days excluding Sundays and holidays (Rule 7.A.8). Rule 7.F sets a $20.00 service-establishment/reconnection charge, plus $25.00 more if same-day or after-hours reconnection is requested. HRS 269-30 gives the PUC general tariff-approval authority but states no day count itself. PUC Docket No. 2025-0284 (opened June 2025) is reviewing statewide disconnection policy but has not changed this tariff.","reconnection_fee":"$20.00 (Service Establishment/Reconnection Charge); plus $25.00 additional for same-day or after-hours reconnection","assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/documents/billing_and_payment/rates/hawaiian_electric_rules/7.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Hawaiian Electric Company Tariff — Rule No. 7, Discontinuance and Restoration of Service","notice_days_basis":"excluding Sundays and holidays"},{"name":"Maui Electric Company","service_area":"Maui and Lanai islands","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Maui Electric's own tariff, Rule No. 7 (Discontinuance and Restoration of Service), Sheet Nos. 17-18.1, effective 8/1/2026 under Transmittal No. 25-04 (PUC Order No. 42796): nonpayment disconnection requires written notice of at least 5 days excluding Sundays and holidays -- that is, 5 days excluding Sundays and holidays (Rule 7.A.8). Rule 7.D sets a $20.00 reconnection/service-establishment charge, plus $25.00 more if same-day or after-hours reconnection is requested. PUC Docket 2025-0284 (opened June 2025) is examining statewide disconnection standards but has not superseded this tariff.","reconnection_fee":"$20.00 (Service Establishment Charge); plus $25.00 additional for same-day or after-hours reconnection","assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/documents/billing_and_payment/rates/maui_electric_rules/7.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Maui Electric Company Tariff — Rule No. 7, Discontinuance and Restoration of Service","notice_days_basis":"excluding Sundays and holidays"},{"name":"Hawaii Electric Light Company (HELCO)","service_area":"Hawaii (Big Island)","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"HELCO's own tariff, Rule No. 7 (Discontinuance and Restoration of Service), Sheet Nos. 19-20A (Docket No. 6432), effective 8/1/2026 under Transmittal No. 25-04 (PUC Order No. 42796): nonpayment disconnection requires at least 5 days excluding Sundays and holidays' written notice -- that is, 5 days excluding Sundays and holidays (Rule 7.A.8). Rule 7.D sets a $20.00 reconnection charge, plus $25.00 more for same-day or after-hours reconnection. PUC Docket 2025-0284 (opened June 2025) is reviewing statewide disconnection standards but has not changed this tariff.","reconnection_fee":"$20.00 (Service Establishment and Reconnection Charge); plus $25.00 additional for same-day or after-hours reconnection","assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/documents/billing_and_payment/rates/hawaii_electric_light_rules/7.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Hawaii Electric Light Company Tariff — Rule No. 7, Discontinuance and Restoration of Service","notice_days_basis":"excluding Sundays and holidays"},{"name":"Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC)","service_area":"Kauai island; member-owned electric cooperative","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"KIUC's own tariff (KIUC Tariff No. 1, Rule No. 7, Original Sheets 22-25, Decision & Order No. 19658): nonpayment disconnection requires written notice of at least 5 days excluding Sundays and holidays -- that is, 5 days excluding Sundays and holidays (Rule 7.A.5). Rule 7.C sets a $20.00 reconnection charge during normal working hours or $40.00 after normal working hours. KIUC is a member-owned cooperative, but it still files this tariff with and is bound by the Hawaii PUC, so PUC-approved rules apply to it directly.","reconnection_fee":"$20.00 during normal working hours; $40.00 after normal working hours","assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://kiuc.coop/sites/default/files/2025-03/rule_7_service_establish_terminate_recon.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Kauai Island Utility Cooperative Tariff No. 1, Rule No. 7","notice_days_basis":"excluding Sundays and holidays"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Honolulu Board of Water Supply","service_area":"Oahu island","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"BWS's own Rules and Regulations, Chapter II, Section 2-205: water service may be discontinued for nonpayment after at least 5 days excluding Sundays and holidays' written notice. Section 2-206 requires a turn-on/restoration charge but sets the amount \"as established by the Department\" rather than a fixed dollar figure in the rule itself, so a specific reconnection_fee cannot be confirmed from this source. BWS is a municipal utility, not regulated by the Hawaii PUC, so no statewide water-disconnection rule applies to it; its own rules govern instead.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://www.boardofwatersupply.com/about-us/rules-and-regulations/chapter-ii","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Honolulu Board of Water Supply Rules and Regulations, Chapter II","notice_days_basis":"business"}]},{"state_name":"Idaho","state_code":"ID","slug":"idaho-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":7,"gas_notice_days":7,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"During December, January, and February: utility cannot shut off heat service if the household includes children, elderly, or ill members and the customer has notified the utility of inability to pay. Customers must contact utility to qualify. Not a universal moratorium — household composition-triggered.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Utilities must postpone disconnection when medical conditions in the household would be endangered. Winter protection explicitly covers households with ill members in Dec–Feb.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available. Idaho Power, Avista, and Intermountain Gas offer Winter Payment Plans (Nov–Mar). Idaho Office of Energy Resources administers energy assistance.","state_puc_url":"https://puc.idaho.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Idaho Power","service_area":"Southern Idaho and eastern Oregon","notice_days":7,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Statewide notice rule: IDAPA 31.21.01.304 (Idaho PUC's Utility Customer Relations Rules, \"Requirements for Notice to Customers Before Termination of Service\") requires at least 7 calendar days' written notice before terminating service for nonpayment, and applies to Idaho Power as an IPUC-regulated investor-owned electric utility. Idaho Power's own Idaho tariff, Rule F (Sheet F-1, effective 1/1/2024, IPUC Order No. 36042) ties reconnection after a disconnection to the Rule F.4 Service Connection Charge in Schedule 66, and states termination practices are governed by the UCRRs. For residential (Schedule 1) service that charge is $30 weekday business hours (7:30am-6pm), $70 weekday evenings or weekend/holiday daytime, and $120 overnight.","reconnection_fee":"$30.00 Mon-Fri 7:30am-6:00pm; $70.00 weekday evenings (6:01pm-9pm) or weekend/holiday daytime; $120.00 overnight (9:01pm-7:29am) — Schedule 66, Rule F.4, residential Schedule 1","assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://docs.idahopower.com/pdfs/aboutus/ratesregulatory/tariffs/30.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Idaho Power Company Idaho Tariff, Rule F — Service Establishment and Discontinuance"},{"name":"Avista Utilities (Idaho Division)","service_area":"Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, and Northern/central Idaho; major utility in the Spokane area extending into Idaho","notice_days":7,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Statewide notice rule: IDAPA 31.21.01.304 requires at least 7 calendar days' written notice before termination for nonpayment, and applies to Avista as an IPUC-regulated investor-owned electric utility. Avista's own Idaho electric tariff (I.P.U.C. No. 28, Rules and Regulations, Rule 14, Sheet 70-g.1, effective 6/15/2015) sets the reconnection charge at $24 for arrangements made 8am-4pm weekdays (except holidays), $48 for 4pm-7pm weekdays or any weekend/holiday reconnection, or $12 if service is restored remotely.","reconnection_fee":"$24.00 if arranged 8am-4pm Mon-Fri (except holidays); $48.00 if arranged 4pm-7pm Mon-Fri or any weekend/holiday reconnection; $12.00 for remote reconnection","assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://www.myavista.com/-/media/myavista/content-documents/our-rates-and-tariffs/id/id_070.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Avista Utilities Idaho Electric Rules and Regulations — Rule 14, Reconnection Charge"},{"name":"Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp) - Idaho","service_area":"Southern Idaho and surrounding region; serves portions of Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming as well; major regional utility","notice_days":7,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Statewide notice rule: IDAPA 31.21.01.304 requires at least 7 calendar days' written notice before termination for nonpayment, and applies to Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp) as an IPUC-regulated investor-owned electric utility. The company's own Idaho tariff, Electric Service Schedule No. 300 (Regulation Charges, I.P.U.C. No. 1, effective 1/1/2022), sets reconnection charges at $7 for remote reconnection, $25 for a non-remote reconnection Monday-Friday 8am-4pm, and $50 for a non-remote reconnection 4pm-7pm on weekdays or at any time on a weekend/holiday.","reconnection_fee":"$7.00 remote reconnection; $25.00 non-remote Mon-Fri 8am-4pm; $50.00 non-remote 4pm-7pm weekdays or any weekend/holiday reconnection","assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://www.rockymountainpower.net/content/dam/pcorp/documents/en/rockymountainpower/rates-regulation/idaho/rates/300_Regulation_Charges.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Rocky Mountain Power Idaho Electric Service Schedule No. 300 — Regulation Charges"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Intermountain Gas Company","service_area":"Central and southwestern Idaho","notice_days":7,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Statewide notice rule: IDAPA 31.21.01.304 requires at least 7 calendar days' written notice before termination for nonpayment, and applies to Intermountain Gas as an IPUC-regulated investor-owned gas utility. The company's own IPUC-filed tariff (Section A, Sheet No. 6, Rule 9.3, effective 5/26/2014) sets the reconnection charge at $22 for arrangements made 8am-4:30pm weekdays (except company holidays), $44 for 4:30pm-7pm weekdays, and $50 for any weekend or holiday reconnection; service must be reconnected within 24 hours of satisfactory payment arrangements.","reconnection_fee":"$22.00 if arranged 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri (except holidays); $44.00 if arranged 4:30pm-7pm Mon-Fri; $50.00 for weekend/holiday reconnection","assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://puc.idaho.gov/Fileroom/PublicFiles/GAS/INT/General/0tariff/Intermountaingas.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Intermountain Gas Company Idaho Tariff — Rule 9, Discontinuance and Reconnection of Service"},{"name":"Avista Utilities Gas (Idaho Division)","service_area":"Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, and portions of Northern Idaho","notice_days":7,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Statewide notice rule: IDAPA 31.21.01.304 requires at least 7 calendar days' written notice before termination for nonpayment, and applies to Avista as an IPUC-regulated investor-owned gas utility. Avista's own Idaho gas tariff (I.P.U.C. No. 27, Rules and Regulations, Rule 15.1, Sheet 170-G.1, effective 9/1/2004) sets the reconnection charge at $24 for arrangements made 8am-4pm weekdays (except holidays), and $48 for 4pm-7pm weekdays or any weekend/holiday reconnection.","reconnection_fee":"$24.00 if arranged 8am-4pm Mon-Fri (except holidays); $48.00 if arranged 4pm-7pm Mon-Fri or any weekend/holiday reconnection","assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://www.myavista.com/-/media/myavista/content-documents/our-rates-and-tariffs/id/id_170.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Avista Utilities Idaho Gas Rules and Regulations — Rule 15, Reconnection Charge"}]},{"state_name":"Illinois","state_code":"IL","slug":"illinois-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"December 1–March 31: state-regulated utilities cannot shut off residential heating service if the customer is a LIHEAP/PIPP participant, an electric space-heating customer, a military/veteran household, or offers a Deferred Payment Agreement (DPA) with max 10% down payment. DPA route means utilities can still disconnect if customer refuses to engage. Winter notice requirement: at least 6 business days. Standard notice: at least 10 days after the notice is sent or delivered (83 Ill. Adm. Code 280.130(d)(2)); the notice stays effective for 45 days.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical emergency protection available. Illinois Commerce Commission rules require utilities to postpone disconnection when a life-threatening or serious illness is certified.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP administered by Illinois DCEO. Illinois PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) provides bill discounts based on income — one of the strongest low-income utility programs in the country. ComEd CARE and Nicor Gas LIHEAP Rebate programs also available.","state_puc_url":"https://www.icc.illinois.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-20","electric_utilities":[{"name":"ComEd (Commonwealth Edison / Exelon)","service_area":"Northeastern Illinois including Chicago metro and suburbs; approximately 4 million customers","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under 83 Ill. Adm. Code 280.130, ComEd must send a disconnection notice at least 10 days before shutoff (8 days if mailed, 5 days if hand-delivered). Notice must be sent separately from other mail. Utility must attempt a warning call 48+ hours before scheduled disconnection (second call required 24 hrs prior if first did not reach anyone). No disconnection after 4 PM Mon–Thu, after noon Friday, on weekends, state/utility holidays, or the day before a holiday, unless same-day reconnection is available. Cold weather rule: no shutoff when temperature is forecast at or below 32°F for next 24 hours; no shutoff when forecast exceeds 90°F (lowered from 95°F effective January 1, 2024) for utilities providing primary source of space cooling. Winter gas moratorium (Dec 1–Mar 31) applies to gas service, not electric, but ComEd electric customers have the cold weather temperature-based rule. Medical certificate: utility cannot disconnect for 60 days upon receipt of valid medical certificate; certificate must state that disconnection will aggravate or create a medical emergency; telephone certification accepted if followed by written documentation within 7 days; a Medical Payment Arrangement (MPA) automatically begins 30 days after certification. DPA (Deferred Payment Arrangement): standard customers must pay 25% down on past-due amount, 4–12 billing cycles to repay balance; low-income customers have reduced down payment (maximum 20%) and 6–18 months to repay. Reconnection: electric customers reconnected within 4 calendar days after remedying reason for disconnection; if utility fails to meet timeframe it cannot charge reconnection fee; erroneous disconnections reconnected within 1 business day at no charge. ComEd charges a reconnection fee, but no figure could be confirmed from the ICC tariff library or from ComEd's published material, so none is shown here.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (income at or below 200% FPL, apply through Community Action Agency Oct 1–Aug 15); Low-Income Discount (LID) Program (5–80% monthly bill discount for customers at or below 300% FPL, auto-enrollment for LIHEAP recipients, launched Feb 2026); Supplemental Arrearage Reduction Program (SARP) for LIHEAP-qualified customers; PIPP (suspended new applications Oct 2025–Aug 2026); Fresh Start Arrearage Reduction Program (up to $150/month credit after 6 on-time payments); Smart Assistance Manager (SAM) tool at ComEd.com/PaymentAssistance","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/illinois/Ill-Admin-Code-tit-83-SS-280.130","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"83 Ill. Adm. Code § 280.130 - Disconnection of Service + ICC Consumer Protections"},{"name":"Ameren Illinois Electric","service_area":"Central and southern Illinois; approximately 1.2 million electric customers","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Subject to same 83 Ill. Adm. Code Part 280 rules as all ICC-regulated electric utilities. Disconnection notice at least 10 days (8 days if mailed, 5 days if hand-delivered). 48-hour warning call required. No disconnection after 4 PM Mon–Thu, after noon Friday, on weekends, state/utility holidays, or day preceding holiday unless same-day reconnection available. Cold weather rule: no shutoff when forecast at or below 32°F; no shutoff when forecast exceeds 90°F (effective Jan 1, 2024). Medical certificate protects service for 60 days; Medical Payment Arrangement auto-begins 30 days after certification. DPA: 25% down payment for standard customers; low-income customers reduced down payment; 4–12+ billing cycles. First annual reconnection during regular business hours is waived.","reconnection_fee":"$15.00 during regular working hours; $50.00 outside regular working hours (effective January 17, 2025 per Ill. C.C. No. 1 tariff). First reconnection per calendar year during regular hours is waived for disconnection due to non-payment, failure to establish credit, or deposit issues.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (apply through Community Action Agency); PIPP (suspended new applications Oct 2025–Aug 2026); Low-Income Discount Rate (3–6% of income cap starting June 2026, per CEJA); Warm Neighbors Cool Friends weatherization program; deferred payment agreements; budget billing. Phone: 1-800-755-5000","source_url":"https://icc.illinois.gov/downloads/public/tariff/currentbooks/4/Electric%20Service%20Schedule%20Ill.%20C.%20C.%20No.%201%5B4319%5D..pdf","source_date":"2026-09-20","source_title":"Ameren Illinois Electric Service Schedule Ill. C.C. No. 1, Miscellaneous Fees and Charges (ICC current tariff book)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Peoples Gas (WEC Energy Group)","service_area":"City of Chicago gas distribution","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Subject to 83 Ill. Adm. Code Part 280. Disconnection notice: at least 5 days after delivery or 8 days after mailing. 48-hour warning call required. No disconnection after 4 PM Mon–Thu, after noon Friday, on weekends, state/utility holidays, or day before holiday unless same-day reconnection available. No disconnection when temperature forecast at or below 32°F. Winter moratorium (Dec 1–Mar 31): gas heating customers cannot be disconnected for nonpayment if gas is primary heating source; utility must first offer a DPA with maximum 10% down payment on past-due amount spread over at least 4 months (not extending past the following November); utility must provide contact information for assistance agencies. Separate year-round protection for participants in the Energy Act of 1989 (low-income assistance program). Medical certificate: no disconnection for 60 days; auto-MPA begins; must be signed by physician, NP, or PA; telephone certification valid if written follows within 7 days. DPA standard: 25% down, 4–18 months; LIHEAP participants: 0% down, 18 months. Reconnection of gas service required within 7 calendar days of customer remedying the cause.","reconnection_fee":"$141.00 standard meter reconnection (first reconnection per calendar year automatically waived); $282.00 if meter was removed; $750.00 if service was cut at the main or by excavation. Includes relighting up to 4 gas appliances; additional appliances $13.00 each. Effective February 19, 2026 per ICC Advice No. 1941.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (apply through CEDA: cedaorg.net or 800-571-2332 for Chicago residents, income at or below 200% FPL); PIPP (suspended new applications Oct 2025–Aug 2026, apply through Community Action Agency); Share the Warmth grants up to $200; Low-Income Discount Rate (5–84% monthly discount per CEJA); budget billing and deferred payment arrangements. Phone: 1-866-556-6001","source_url":"https://icc.illinois.gov/downloads/public/tariff/currentbooks/24/","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company, Ill. C.C. No. 28, Schedule of Rates for Gas Service (ICC current tariff book)"},{"name":"North Shore Gas (WEC Energy Group)","service_area":"Northern suburbs of Chicago including Lake County area","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Same 83 Ill. Adm. Code Part 280 rules as Peoples Gas. Disconnection notice: at least 5 days after delivery or 8 days after mailing; 48-hour warning call required. No disconnection on weekends, holidays, after 4 PM Mon–Thu, after noon Friday unless same-day reconnection available. No disconnection when temp forecast at or below 32°F. Winter moratorium (Dec 1–Mar 31): gas heating customers cannot be disconnected for nonpayment; utility must offer DPA with maximum 10% down payment spread over at least 4 months not extending past following November; utility must provide assistance agency contacts. Year-round protection for participants in Energy Act of 1989 (low-income program). Medical certificate: 60-day protection; auto-MPA; signed by physician, NP, or PA; telephone certification valid if written follows within 7 days. DPA standard: 25% down, up to 18 months; LIHEAP participants: 0% down, 18 months. Gas service reconnection required within 7 calendar days.","reconnection_fee":"$113.00 standard meter reconnection (first reconnection per calendar year automatically waived); $270.00 if meter was removed; $750.00 if cut at main or by excavation. Includes relighting up to 4 gas appliances; additional appliances $12.00 each. Per ICC Advice No. 1705 filed January 5, 2026.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (apply through Community Action Partnership of Lake County: 847-249-4330); PIPP (suspended new applications Oct 2025–Aug 2026); Share the Warmth grants up to $200; Low-Income Discount Rate (5–84% monthly discount per CEJA); budget billing and DPAs. Phone: 1-866-556-6004","source_url":"https://icc.illinois.gov/downloads/public/tariff/currentbooks/21/Gas%20Service%20Schedule%20Ill.%20C.%20C.%20No.%2017%5B569%5D..pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"North Shore Gas Company, Ill. C.C. No. 17, Gas Service Schedule (ICC current tariff book)"},{"name":"Nicor Gas","service_area":"Northern Illinois suburbs; approximately 2.2 million customers; largest gas utility in Illinois","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Subject to 83 Ill. Adm. Code Part 280. Same notice and disconnection timing rules: 10 days (8 mailed/5 hand-delivered) minimum notice; 48-hour warning call. No disconnection on weekends, holidays, after 4 PM Mon–Thu, after noon Friday unless same-day reconnection available. No disconnection when temp forecast at or below 32°F. Winter moratorium (Dec 1–Mar 31): gas heating customers cannot be disconnected for nonpayment; utility must offer DPA with maximum 10% down on arrears spread over at least 4 months not extending past following November. Medical certificate: 60-day protection; auto-MPA 30 days after certification. DPA: standard customers 25% down, 4–12 billing cycles; income-eligible customers reduced down payment. Reconnection: gas service within 7 calendar days of customer remedying issue. First reconnection per calendar year at the meter is without charge.","reconnection_fee":"First reconnection per calendar year: no charge. Subsequent reconnections in same calendar year: $90.00. Per Nicor Gas Rate Book Ill. C.C. No. 16.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (income at or below 200% FPL, apply through Community Action Agency); PIPP (suspended new applications Oct 2025–Aug 2026); Energy Aide Program (up to $350 grant toward past-due balance, at or below 350% FPL, administered by local agencies); Sharing Program (one-time annual grants, administered by Salvation Army); Low-Income Discount Program (5–77% monthly bill discount, auto-enrollment for LIHEAP/PIPP/Sharing recipients, income at or below 300% FPL). Phone: 1-888-642-6748","source_url":"https://icc.illinois.gov/downloads/public/tariff/currentbooks/19/Gas%20Service%20Schedule%20Ill.%20C.%20C.%20No.%2016%5B1170%5D..pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Northern Illinois Gas Company (Nicor Gas), Ill. C.C. No. 16, Gas Service Schedule (ICC current tariff book)"},{"name":"Ameren Illinois Gas","service_area":"Central and southern Illinois gas distribution; approximately 816,000 gas customers","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Same 83 Ill. Adm. Code Part 280 rules as all ICC-regulated gas utilities. Disconnection notice at least 10 days (8 mailed, 5 hand-delivered). 48-hour warning call required. No disconnection after 4 PM Mon–Thu, after noon Friday, on weekends, state/utility holidays, or day before holiday unless same-day reconnection available. No disconnection when forecast at or below 32°F. Winter moratorium (Dec 1–Mar 31): gas heating customers cannot be disconnected for nonpayment; utility must offer DPA with maximum 10% down on arrears spread over at least 4 months not extending past following November. Medical certificate: 60-day protection; auto-MPA; telephone certification valid if written follows within 7 days. DPA: 25% down, 4–12+ billing cycles for standard customers; income-eligible customers have reduced requirements. Gas service reconnection required within 7 calendar days.","reconnection_fee":"$50.00 during regular working hours; $85.00 outside regular working hours; $400.00 where service was physically cut at the main; the regular-hours charge is waived once each calendar year","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (apply through Community Action Agency); PIPP (suspended new applications Oct 2025–Aug 2026); Low-Income Discount Rate for gas (5–84% monthly discount per CEJA, effective 2026); Warm Neighbors Cool Friends weatherization; deferred payment agreements; budget billing. Phone: 1-800-755-5000","source_url":"https://www.icc.illinois.gov/downloads/public/tariff/currentbooks/10/Gas%20Service%20Schedule%20Ill.%20C.%20C.%20No.%202%5B4320%5D..pdf","source_date":"2026-09-20","source_title":"Ameren Illinois Gas Service Schedule Ill. C.C. No. 2, Miscellaneous Fees and Charges (ICC current tariff book)"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Illinois American Water","service_area":"Multiple communities statewide across Illinois; investor-owned water utility regulated by ICC","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Regulated by ICC under 83 Ill. Adm. Code Part 280, which governs gas, electric, water and sanitary sewer utilities alike. Section 280.130(g)(2) sets a single disconnection-notice period: the utility shall not disconnect service until at least 10 days after the notice is sent or delivered, effective for 45 days (280.130(g)(3)). (The 8-days-mailed/5-days-hand-delivered figure appears in a superseded version of Part 280; the current rule is a flat 10 days for every utility type it covers, not just electric and gas.) Disconnections occur only between 8 AM–2 PM Monday–Thursday and 8 AM–12 PM Friday, per the utility's own rights booklet. 48-hour warning call required. No disconnection on weekends, state/utility holidays, or day before holiday. No disconnection when temp forecast at or below 32°F. Medical hardship: attending physician must contact utility within 15 days of bill issuance; protection for 60 days; auto-payment plan established. DPA available. First reconnection during regular business hours per calendar year is waived. If installment plan is in default, full outstanding balance may be required before reconnection.","reconnection_fee":"$32.00 during regular business hours; first reconnection per calendar year during regular business hours is waived","assistance_programs":"LIHWAP (federally funded, up to $400 for arrears or $1,500 if already disconnected, income at or below 200% FPL, apply through DCEO); H2O Help to Others Program (supplemental grants from Salvation Army partnership); Income-Based Discount Program (monthly bill discount via Dollar Energy Fund, apply at 1-888-282-6816); LIHEAP may also cover water in some cases; payment plans available. Phone: 1-800-422-2782","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/illinois/Ill-Admin-Code-tit-83-SS-280.130","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"83 Ill. Adm. Code § 280.130 - Disconnection of Service (applies to water utilities; Illinois American Water rights booklet used for fee and business-hours detail)"},{"name":"Aqua Illinois","service_area":"Various communities in Illinois; investor-owned water utility regulated by ICC (Ill. C.C. No. 49)","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Regulated by ICC under 83 Ill. Adm. Code Part 280 (water provisions). Disconnection notice must be a separate mailing with 'termination notice' prominently displayed; sent by US Mail or hand-delivered at least 5 days prior to stated disconnection date. No disconnection on weekends, state/utility holidays, or day before a holiday. No disconnection when temp forecast at or below 32°F. Service may be disconnected without notice only for known dangerous conditions or confirmed meter tampering. Medical hardship: attending physician must contact utility within 15 days of bill issuance; protection for 60 days. Reconnection requires payment of reconnection fee, all arrears, and any required deposit. Low-Income Discount Program launched July 1, 2025 (70% discount on volumetric charges for customers at or below 150% FPL).","reconnection_fee":"$25.00 per ICC-approved tariff (Ill. C.C. No. 50)","assistance_programs":"LIHWAP (federally funded, apply through DCEO); Aqua Aid (up to $150 for water-only, up to $250 for water and sewer combined); Low-Income Discount Program (70% discount on volumetric charges for customers at or below 150% FPL, effective July 1, 2025); deferred payment arrangements up to 12 months; budget billing. Phone: 1-877-987-2782","source_url":"https://icc.illinois.gov/downloads/public/tariff/currentbooks/27/","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Aqua Illinois, Inc., Ill. C.C. No. 50, Rules and Regulations (ICC current tariff book)"},{"name":"Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM)","service_area":"City of Chicago municipal water and sewer service","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Chicago DWM is a municipal utility governed by Chicago Municipal Code Chapter 11-12, NOT by ICC Part 280. Residential water shutoffs for nonpayment are effectively prohibited by ordinance. In July 2022, Chicago City Council unanimously passed an ordinance codifying the end of residential water shutoffs for nonpayment (building on a 2019 moratorium). The ordinance removes DWM authority to terminate residential water service for nonpayment of water, sewer, or refuse collection charges. Shutoffs remain permissible for: waste or abuse of water supply; danger to public health, safety, or general well-being; nonpayment by municipal, industrial, or commercial users; vacant registered buildings; unauthorized use/tampering; fraud. The specific advance-notice period for those remaining cases could not be confirmed from a primary source reachable here (Chicago's codified ordinances at codelibrary.amlegal.com returned HTTP 403); a day count is not stated on this page, so notice_days is left null rather than asserted.","reconnection_fee":"No standard residential reconnection fee applicable — residential nonpayment shutoffs are banned by ordinance (Chicago Municipal Code Chapter 11-12, July 2022)","assistance_programs":"Utility Billing Relief (UBR) Program: 50% reduced rate on water, sewer, and water-sewer tax charges; no new late-payment penalties or shutoff activity; debt forgiveness after 1 year of successful on-time payments at reduced rate; eligibility requires income at or below 200% FPL; homeowners must own and occupy single-family or two-unit residence; undocumented residents eligible under Welcoming City Ordinance. Apply at chicago.gov or utilitybill.chicago.gov. LIHWAP (apply through DCEO); MeterSave program (free water meter). Phone: Chicago 311","source_url":"https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2022/july/PassesOrdinanceWaterAccessAffordabilityTransparency.html","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"City of Chicago - Ordinance Promoting Water Access, Affordability, and Data Reporting Transparency (July 2022)"}]},{"state_name":"Indiana","state_code":"IN","slug":"indiana-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":14,"gas_notice_days":14,"water_notice_days":7,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"December 1–March 15: electric and natural gas utilities may not disconnect customers who are receiving Energy Assistance Program (EAP) help, or who have formally applied and qualified for EAP. Not a universal moratorium — EAP-linked only.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Licensed doctor or public health official statement postpones disconnection for 10 days. Medical postponement available for serious conditions that would be aggravated by loss of service.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"Indiana LIHEAP / EAP administered by Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. EAP qualification also triggers winter disconnection protection. Utilities must offer payment plans.","state_puc_url":"https://www.in.gov/iurc","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Duke Energy Indiana","service_area":"Southern and central Indiana","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"IURC's General Rules and Regulations Applicable to Electric Service, 170 IAC 4-1-16(e), requires at least 14 days' prior written notice before disconnecting residential electric service for nonpayment; this is the correct citation and supersedes the earlier \"170 IAC 4-2-14\", which is not a valid section. It applies to Duke Energy Indiana as an IURC-regulated investor-owned electric utility. Duke Energy's own reconnection-charge tariff sheet could not be verified from a primary source (duke-energy.com returns a 403 error to automated access), so reconnection_fee is left null rather than guessed.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/indiana/170-IAC-4-1-16","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"170 IAC 4-1-16 — Disconnection of Service; Prohibited Disconnections; Reconnection (Cornell LII)"},{"name":"NIPSCO (Northern Indiana Public Service Company)","service_area":"Northern Indiana including the South Shore area and extending east toward the Michigan border","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"NIPSCO's own IURC electric tariff (General Rules and Regulations Applicable to Electric Service, Rule 12.3, Original Sheet 40, effective 7/1/2025) requires written notice at least 14 days before disconnection for nonpayment, matching the statewide rule at 170 IAC 4-1-16 (this supersedes the earlier, incorrect \"170 IAC 4-2-14\"/\"4-2-20\" citations). Rule 15.1 (First Revised Sheet 45, effective 3/1/2026) sets the reconnection-at-the-meter charge at $0 during normal business hours (8am-5pm) for customers without a functioning AMI meter, $110 after hours or on Saturday, and $130 on Sunday or a holiday; reconnection at the pole costs more ($150-$290 depending on timing and whether an easement is needed).","reconnection_fee":"$0.00 during normal hours (8am-5pm) for meter reconnection without AMI; $110.00 after hours/Saturday; $130.00 Sunday/holidays (higher fees apply for pole reconnection)","assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://www.nipsco.com/docs/librariesprovider11/rates-and-tariffs/electric-rates/2025-to-current/general-rules-and-regulations.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"NIPSCO Electric Service Tariff — General Rules and Regulations, Rules 12 & 15"},{"name":"AEP Indiana Michigan Power (American Electric Power)","service_area":"Northeastern and east-central Indiana, including Fort Wayne and Muncie, plus parts of north-central Indiana bordering southwest Michigan (South Bend/Elkhart area); AEP subsidiary, not a small or boundary-only territory","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"IURC's General Rules and Regulations Applicable to Electric Service, 170 IAC 4-1-16(e), requires at least 14 days' prior written notice before disconnecting residential electric service for nonpayment; this applies to AEP Indiana Michigan Power as an IURC-regulated investor-owned electric utility and supersedes the earlier \"170 IAC 4-2-14\"/\"4-2-20\" citations, which are not valid sections. I&M's own reconnection-charge tariff sheet could not be located from a primary source in the time available, so reconnection_fee is left null rather than guessed.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/indiana/170-IAC-4-1-16","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"170 IAC 4-1-16 — Disconnection of Service; Prohibited Disconnections; Reconnection (Cornell LII)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"CenterPoint Energy Indiana Gas","service_area":"Central and southern Indiana","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"IURC's General Rules and Regulations Applicable to Gas Service, 170 IAC 5-1-16(f), requires at least 14 days' prior written notice before disconnecting residential gas service for nonpayment. This is the correct citation, replacing the earlier \"170 IAC 4-3-2\" and \"4-3-1.5\", which are not valid sections — Indiana regulates gas utilities under Article 5, a separate article from the electric rules in Article 4. CenterPoint's own Indiana gas tariff document could not be reached (the linked PDF returns a 404), so reconnection_fee is left null rather than guessed.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/indiana/170-IAC-5-1-16","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"170 IAC 5-1-16 — Disconnection of Gas Service; Reconnection (Cornell LII)"},{"name":"NIPSCO Gas (Northern Indiana Public Service Company)","service_area":"Northern Indiana gas distribution; part of NIPSCO's northern Indiana service territory","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"NIPSCO's own IURC gas tariff (General Rules and Regulations Applicable to Gas Service, Rule 12, First Revised Sheet 37-38, effective 9/18/2024) requires at least 14 days' written notice before disconnection for nonpayment, matching the statewide rule at 170 IAC 5-1-16 (this supersedes the earlier, incorrect \"170 IAC 4-3-2\" citation). Rule 17 (Original Sheet 45, effective 8/20/2024) sets the reconnection charge at $90 during normal working hours (8am-5pm), $110 after hours or on Saturday, and $130 on Sunday or a holiday, plus a separate $75 after-hours/same-day charge when applicable.","reconnection_fee":"$90.00 during normal working hours (8am-5pm); $110.00 after hours/Saturday; $130.00 Sunday/holidays","assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://www.nipsco.com/docs/librariesprovider11/rates-and-tariffs/gas-rates/2024-current/table-of-contents/general-rules-and-regulations-applicable-to-gas-tariff.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"NIPSCO Gas Service Tariff — General Rules and Regulations, Rules 12 & 17"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Indiana American Water","service_area":"Multiple service areas across Indiana including the Indianapolis region, across several operating divisions","notice_days":7,"shutoff_rules_notes":"IURC's General Rules and Regulations Applicable to Water Utilities, 170 IAC 6-1-16, requires at least 7 days' prior written notice before disconnecting residential water service for nonpayment. Indiana-American Water's own IURC-stamped tariff (I.U.R.C. No. W-22-A, effective 2/21/2024) sets the reconnection charge at $40.00 for a standard reconnection and $60.00 if reconnection is requested after regular business hours or on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. Indiana-American Water is an investor-owned utility regulated directly by the IURC.","reconnection_fee":"$40.00 standard reconnection; $60.00 for after-hours, weekend, or holiday reconnection at the customer's request","assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://www.amwater.com/inaw/customer-service-billing/Indiana-amwater-IURC_stamped-tariffs-rules-and-regulations_5_21_2024.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Indiana-American Water Company IURC Tariff — Reconnection Charge"}]},{"state_name":"Iowa","state_code":"IA","slug":"iowa-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":12,"gas_notice_days":12,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–April 1: LIHEAP-qualified customers are protected from utility service disconnection. LIHEAP enrollment is required — households without it can still be disconnected. Utilities must offer 12-month payment plans as an alternative to disconnection.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certificate postpones disconnection. Iowa utilities must work with households where disconnection would create a health or safety hazard.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"Iowa LIHEAP administered by Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Low-income customers in default on a payment agreement may be disconnected with only 24-hour notice rather than the standard 12 days.","state_puc_url":"https://iuc.iowa.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"MidAmerican Energy Company","service_area":"Central, eastern, and southwestern Iowa including Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport/Quad Cities, and Council Bluffs; investor-owned utility, subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy","notice_days":12,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed statewide by Iowa Admin. Code 199 IAC 20.4(14)(d), which applies to all rate-regulated (investor-owned) electric utilities including MidAmerican. Written disconnection notice must give at least 12 days from the date it is provided (24 hours only for customers on shorter, more-than-monthly billing cycles). Disconnection allowed only 6am-2pm Monday-Friday, never nights/weekends/holidays or when the forecast is 20F or colder within 24 hours. No disconnection Nov 1-Apr 1 for customers certified LIHEAP/weatherization-eligible. Medical-danger postponement of 30 days available with a signed doctor/public-health-official statement. Rule text verified current (effective 7/16/25) in the 7/22/26 IAC supplement; utility-specific reconnection fee not located in this pass. Confidence is medium, the same as Interstate Power and Light's row below, because both rest on this same statewide rule rather than a utility-specific tariff.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program), applied for through local community action agencies; call 211 or see hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/liheap. Certified LIHEAP eligibility blocks disconnection Nov 1-Apr 1 under 199 IAC 20.4(16)(a).","source_url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/199.20.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Iowa Administrative Code 199, Chapter 20 (Service Supplied by Rate-Regulated Electric Utilities), rule 199-20.4(14)"},{"name":"Interstate Power and Light Company (Alliant Energy)","service_area":"Northern, eastern and central Iowa including Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Clinton, and Waterloo areas; investor-owned utility, subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corporation","notice_days":12,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Same statewide rule applies as to all Iowa rate-regulated electric utilities: Iowa Admin. Code 199 IAC 20.4(14)(d) requires at least 12 days' written notice before disconnection for nonpayment (24 hours for customers billed more frequently than monthly). No disconnection Nov 1-Apr 1 for LIHEAP/weatherization-certified households, on nights/weekends/holidays, or when the forecast is 20F or colder within 24 hours; disconnection window is 6am-2pm Mon-Fri only. This is the statewide administrative rule, not an Interstate Power and Light-specific tariff fetched in this pass; utility-specific reconnection fee not confirmed. Confidence is set to medium rather than low: this rests on the same statewide administrative rule as MidAmerican's row, with no utility-specific tariff fetched for either company, so the two rows carry identical evidence and must carry the same confidence.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP via local community action agencies (211 or hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/liheap); certification prevents disconnection Nov 1-Apr 1 under 199 IAC 20.4(16)(a).","source_url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/chapter/199.20.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Iowa Administrative Code 199, Chapter 20 (Service Supplied by Rate-Regulated Electric Utilities), rule 199-20.4(14)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"MidAmerican Energy Company","service_area":"Central, eastern, and southwestern Iowa including Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport/Quad Cities, and Council Bluffs; investor-owned combination electric and gas utility, subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy","notice_days":12,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed statewide by Iowa Admin. Code 199 IAC 19.4(15)(a), the gas-utility counterpart to the electric rule, applying to all rate-regulated natural gas utilities. Written disconnection notice must give at least 12 days from the date provided (24 hours for customers on shorter billing intervals). No disconnection Nov 1-Apr 1 for LIHEAP/weatherization-certified customers, on nights/weekends/holidays, or when the forecast is 20F or colder within 24 hours where gas is the only heat source. Disconnection permitted only 6am-2pm Mon-Fri. Rule text verified current in the 7/22/26 IAC supplement; a utility-specific reconnection fee was not located in this pass. Confidence is medium, the same as Interstate Power and Light's row below, because both rest on this same statewide rule rather than a utility-specific tariff.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (federal program) via local community action agencies; call 211 or see hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/liheap. Certified eligibility blocks disconnection Nov 1-Apr 1 under 199 IAC 19.4(17)(a).","source_url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/rule/199.19.4.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Iowa Administrative Code 199, Chapter 19 (Service Supplied by Rate-Regulated Gas Utilities), rule 199-19.4(15)"},{"name":"Interstate Power and Light Company (Alliant Energy)","service_area":"Northern, eastern and central Iowa including Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Clinton, and Waterloo areas; investor-owned combination electric and gas utility, subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corporation","notice_days":12,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Same statewide gas-utility rule applies: Iowa Admin. Code 199 IAC 19.4(15)(a) requires at least 12 days' written notice before disconnection for nonpayment (24 hours for more-frequent billing customers), with the Nov 1-Apr 1 LIHEAP moratorium, weekday-only 6am-2pm disconnection window, and 20F cold-weather protection. This is the statewide administrative rule rather than an Interstate Power and Light-specific tariff fetched in this pass; utility-specific reconnection fee not confirmed. Confidence is set to medium rather than low: this rests on the same statewide administrative rule as MidAmerican's row, with no utility-specific tariff fetched for either company, so the two rows carry identical evidence and must carry the same confidence.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP via local community action agencies (211 or hhs.iowa.gov/programs/programs-and-services/liheap); certification prevents disconnection Nov 1-Apr 1 under 199 IAC 19.4(17)(a).","source_url":"https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/rule/199.19.4.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Iowa Administrative Code 199, Chapter 19 (Service Supplied by Rate-Regulated Gas Utilities), rule 199-19.4(15)"}]},{"state_name":"Kansas","state_code":"KS","slug":"kansas-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–March 31 (Cold Weather Rule): utilities cannot disconnect when NWS forecasts temperature below 35°F within the following 48 hours. Utilities must offer 12-month payment plans during this period for customers to maintain or restore service. Not a calendar-wide blanket moratorium — temperature-triggered.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certification postpones disconnection. KCC rules protect households where disconnection would be life-threatening or endanger health.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available through Kansas DCF. KCC requires utilities to provide information about assistance programs. Cold Weather Rule payment plans are available to all customers, not just low-income.","state_puc_url":"https://www.kcc.ks.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. & Evergy Kansas South, Inc. (Evergy Kansas Central territory)","service_area":"Central and eastern Kansas including Topeka, Manhattan, Salina and Wichita-area service territory (legacy Westar Energy/KPL territory); investor-owned utility, subsidiary of Evergy, Inc.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$20.00 for non-AMI (analog/manual-read) meter customers (General Terms and Conditions Section 12.06); $0.00 for AMI (smart) meter customers (Section 12.19, per Section 5.08). A separate collection/disconnection service charge of $15.00 (non-AMI, Section 12.05) or $5.00 (AMI, Section 12.12) may also apply.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Evergy Kansas Central/South General Terms and Conditions Section 5.03(A)(1), Kansas Corporation Commission Docket 15-GIMX-344-GIV (approved 3/28/2021): Company may disconnect on ten (10) days' written notice for nonpayment; notice is effective upon mailing and valid for one month. Before disconnection Company must also attempt phone/text/email contact 5-7 days out, then 2 days out, then 1 day out (AMI customers), or phone contact at least 2 days before disconnection plus posted notice (non-AMI). Cold Weather Rule (Nov 1-Mar 31) and disconnection-postponement-for-health provisions (Section 5.04, up to 21 days with a physician/public-health-official statement) apply. Disconnection permitted only if payment locations remain open per Section 5.03(H).","assistance_programs":"Kansas LIHEAP administered via the Kansas Department for Children and Families; apply through local community assistance agencies or call 211. The KCC's statewide Cold Weather Rule (Nov 1-Mar 31) also limits disconnection for enrolled households making required partial payments.","source_url":"https://www.evergy.com/-/media/documents/billing/kansas-central/general-terms-and-conditions/5---discontinuation-of-electric-service-03282021.pdf?la=en","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Evergy Kansas Central/South General Terms and Conditions, Section 5 (Discontinuation of Electric Service) and Section 12 (Schedule of Miscellaneous Charges), KCC Docket 15-GIMX-344-GIV"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Kansas Gas Service (a Division of ONE Gas, Inc.)","service_area":"Multiple service areas across Kansas including Topeka, Wichita and other cities statewide (all rate areas); investor-owned natural gas utility","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Kansas Gas Service Schedule KCW (Knock and Collect Waiver Program), Kansas Corporation Commission Docket 24-GIMG-453-GIG, effective 1/8/2025: Company mails a 'Notice of Disconnection' letter, sent separately from the bill, ten (10) days prior to disconnection, per the Disconnection Process referenced from Section 5 (Discontinuation of Service) and Section 4.07 (Cold Weather Rule) of Company's General Terms and Conditions. Additional contact attempts (phone/email/text) follow at 5-7, 2, and 1 days before disconnection, with procedures differing slightly Nov 1-Mar 31 (Cold Weather Rule months) vs. Apr 1-Oct 31. Disconnection and reconnection fees are set in Schedule 12.05/12.06, which were not itemized in the section fetched, so left null rather than guessed.","assistance_programs":"Kansas LIHEAP administered via the Kansas Department for Children and Families; apply through local community assistance agencies or call 211. The statewide KCC Cold Weather Rule (Nov 1-Mar 31) limits disconnection for enrolled/participating households.","source_url":"https://www.kansasgasservice.com/media/KGS/Tariffs/GTC13.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Kansas Gas Service Schedule KCW (Knock and Collect Waiver of On-Premise Collection), KCC Docket 24-GIMG-453-GIG"}]},{"state_name":"Kentucky","state_code":"KY","slug":"kentucky-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":5,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–March 31: low-income customers can avoid disconnection by presenting a statement from their local Community Based Services office confirming qualification for heating assistance or income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. Winter Hardship Reconnection program: disconnected customers can restore service Nov 1–Mar 31 by paying 1/3 of outstanding bill or $200 (whichever is less) and entering a repayment schedule. Customers above the income threshold can still be disconnected year-round.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Certificate of Need signed by a doctor, nurse, or public health official postpones disconnection when a household member's health would be endangered. Renewable upon re-certification.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available through Kentucky Energy Assistance Program. LG&E and KU offer budget billing and low-income assistance. Winter Hardship Reconnection program allows service restoration with partial payment.","state_puc_url":"https://psc.ky.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Louisville Gas and Electric (LG&E) Electric","service_area":"Louisville metro and surrounding counties, Kentucky","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"807 KAR 5:006, Section 14(5)(f)1 requires 10 days' written notice before termination for nonpayment, and bars termination before 27 days after the original bill's mailing date. No disconnection Nov 1–Mar 31 without winter hardship reconnection option. Medical certificate provides 30-day protection. Winter hardship: customer pays 1/3 of past-due balance (max $200) plus current bill to restore service, with repayment plan for remainder due by Oct 15. Disconnect/reconnect service charge is $48.00 per the PSC-filed tariff; the figure previously shown here, $28, does not appear in that tariff and has been corrected.","reconnection_fee":"$48.00","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (federally funded, administered through Kentucky CHFS and Community Action agencies); LG&E/KU winter hardship reconnection program (Certificate of Need required); Kentucky Home Energy Assistance (KHEA)","source_url":"https://psc.ky.gov/tariffs/Electric/Louisville%20Gas%20and%20Electric%20Company/Tariff.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Louisville Gas and Electric Company Electric Tariff (PSC Electric No. 14)"},{"name":"Kentucky Utilities (KU) Electric","service_area":"Central and eastern Kentucky, excluding Louisville metro","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"807 KAR 5:006, Section 14(5)(f)1 requires 10 days' written notice before termination for nonpayment, and bars termination before 27 days after the original bill's mailing date. No disconnection Nov 1–Mar 31 without winter hardship reconnection option. Medical certificate provides 30-day protection. Winter hardship: customer pays 1/3 of past-due balance (max $200) plus current bill to restore service, with repayment plan for remainder due by Oct 15. Disconnect/reconnect service charge is $82.00 per the PSC-filed tariff; the figure previously shown here, $28, does not appear in that tariff and has been corrected.","reconnection_fee":"$82.00","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (federally funded, administered through Kentucky CHFS and Community Action agencies); LG&E/KU winter hardship reconnection program (Certificate of Need required); Kentucky Home Energy Assistance (KHEA)","source_url":"https://psc.ky.gov/tariffs/electric/Kentucky%20Utilities%20Company/Tariff.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Kentucky Utilities Company Electric Tariff (PSC No. 21)"},{"name":"Duke Energy Kentucky","service_area":"Northern Kentucky (Covington, Newport, and surrounding areas)","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"10-day written notice required per 807 KAR 5:006. No disconnection Nov 1–Mar 31 without winter hardship reconnection option. Medical certificate provides 30-day protection. Restoration within 24 hours of payment. Enhanced protections per 2024 settlement: no disconnection within 24 hours of forecast ≤32°F or ≥95°F; restricted disconnection hours.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (federally funded, administered through Kentucky CHFS and Community Action agencies); Duke Energy Kentucky Share the Warmth program; Kentucky Home Energy Assistance (KHEA)","source_url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/807/005/006/","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"807 KAR 5:006 — Kentucky PSC Service Regulations"},{"name":"Kentucky Power (AEP)","service_area":"Eastern Kentucky (Ashland, Pikeville, Hazard, and surrounding Appalachian counties)","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"10-day written notice required per 807 KAR 5:006. No disconnection Nov 1–Mar 31 without winter hardship reconnection option. Medical certificate provides 30-day protection. Restoration within 24 hours of payment. 2024 settlement added: no disconnection within 24 hours of forecast ≤32°F or ≥95°F; no disconnection on Fridays, weekends, or day before a holiday.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (federally funded, administered through Kentucky CHFS and Community Action agencies); Kentucky Power Customer Assistance Program; Kentucky Home Energy Assistance (KHEA); AEP Energy Share","source_url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/807/005/006/","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"807 KAR 5:006 — Kentucky PSC Service Regulations"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"LG&E Gas (Louisville Gas and Electric)","service_area":"Louisville metro and surrounding counties, Kentucky (natural gas service)","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"807 KAR 5:006, Section 14(5)(f)1 requires 10 days' written notice before termination for nonpayment, and bars termination before 27 days after the original bill's mailing date. No disconnection Nov 1–Mar 31 without winter hardship reconnection option. Medical certificate provides 30-day protection. Winter hardship: customer pays 1/3 of past-due balance (max $200) plus current bill to restore service. Disconnect/reconnect service charge is $48.00 per the PSC-filed tariff (same $48.00 total if gas and electric are reconnected together); the figure previously shown here, $28, does not appear in that tariff and has been corrected.","reconnection_fee":"$48.00","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (federally funded, administered through Kentucky CHFS and Community Action agencies); LG&E/KU winter hardship reconnection program; Kentucky Home Energy Assistance (KHEA)","source_url":"https://psc.ky.gov/tariffs/Natural%20Gas/Local%20Distribution%20Companies/Louisville%20Gas%20&%20Electric/Tariff.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Louisville Gas and Electric Company Gas Tariff (PSC Gas No. 14)"},{"name":"Columbia Gas of Kentucky (NiSource)","service_area":"Central and northern Kentucky natural gas distribution","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"10-day written notice required per 807 KAR 5:006. Winter protection window approximately Oct 13–Apr 15: customer can avoid or reverse disconnection by paying $175 toward past-due balance. Medical certification provides 30-day delay. Payment arrangements available.","reconnection_fee":"$20","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (federally funded, administered through Kentucky CHFS and Community Action agencies); Columbia Gas Neighbor-to-Neighbor program; Columbia Gas Budget Billing; Kentucky Home Energy Assistance (KHEA)","source_url":"https://www.columbiagasky.com/bills-and-payments/financial-support/shutoff-and-reconnect-process","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Columbia Gas of Kentucky — Shutoff and Reconnect Process"},{"name":"Delta Natural Gas","service_area":"South-central and southeastern Kentucky natural gas distribution","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"10-day written notice required per 807 KAR 5:006. No disconnection Nov 1–Mar 31 without winter hardship reconnection option. Medical certificate provides 30-day protection. Restoration within 24 hours of payment. Note: PSC approved a rate case in July 2025 (Case 2024-00346) that increased the reconnection charge; current amount not publicly confirmed.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (federally funded, administered through Kentucky CHFS and Community Action agencies); Kentucky Home Energy Assistance (KHEA); Delta Natural Gas budget billing program","source_url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/807/005/006/","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"807 KAR 5:006 — Kentucky PSC Service Regulations"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Louisville Water Company","service_area":"Louisville metro area, Jefferson County, Kentucky","notice_days":7,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Municipal utility, operates outside Kentucky PSC jurisdiction. Rule 1.13.6: not less than 21 days after the original billing date, an overdue customer is notified, and water is turned off on a day not less than 7 days after that notice. A disconnect fee applies per premise but the Service Rules and Regulations do not state the dollar amount; it is set separately in the company's Tariff, Rate Schedule, and Customer Fees and Charges, which was not confirmed to carry a specific figure. The $45 previously shown here is not confirmed by any source found and has been removed.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP Water/Sewer (LIHWAP, federally funded); Louisville Water Foundation assistance program; Community Action Kentucky referrals; utility-administered payment plans","source_url":"https://louisvillewater.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/service-rules-regs-2025.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Louisville Water Company 2025 Service Rules and Regulations"},{"name":"Lexington-Fayette Urban County Water (LEXserv)","service_area":"Lexington-Fayette Urban County, Kentucky","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Municipal utility — operates outside Kentucky PSC jurisdiction. Customers receive a 10-day shutoff notice prior to disconnection. Payment in full required to restore service. Payment plans available for customers in financial hardship. Service can be restored same day if payment received before cut-off time.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LEXserv Water Assistance Program (income-based, triggered by 10-day notice, default, disconnect, or collections status); Sewer and Landfill User Fee discount program; LIHWAP (federally funded water assistance); Community Action Council referrals","source_url":"https://www.lexingtonky.gov/living/lexserv/water-service-disconnection","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"LEXserv — Water Service Disconnection"},{"name":"Kentucky American Water","service_area":"Lexington area and surrounding central Kentucky counties (water service)","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"PSC-regulated water utility. 807 KAR 5:006, Section 14(5)(f)2 requires 5 days' written notice before termination for nonpayment for water, sewer, and telephone utilities, and bars termination before 20 days after the original bill's mailing date. No disconnection Nov 1–Mar 31 without winter hardship option. Medical certificate provides 30-day protection.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"H2O Help to Others program (income ≤200% FPL, up to $125–$250 assistance, once per year, minimum $50 outstanding balance, managed via Dollar Energy Fund); LIHWAP (federally funded); Community Action agency referrals","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/kentucky/807-KAR-5-006","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"807 KAR 5:006 — Kentucky PSC General Service Rules"}]},{"state_name":"Louisiana","state_code":"LA","slug":"louisiana-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":null,"gas_notice_days":null,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No formal winter moratorium. No disconnection on Sundays, holidays, or the day before holidays. Late payment penalties capped at 5% of actual billing, applicable not less than 20 days from date of billing.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certification can postpone disconnection. Louisiana PSC rules require utilities to accommodate households where loss of service would create a health emergency.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"Payment plans are required before disconnection. LIHEAP assistance is available through Louisiana DCFS. Victims of family violence are exempt from initial deposit requirements with certification.","state_puc_url":"https://lpsc.louisiana.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-22","shutoff_rules_notes":"The statewide figure of 15 days previously shown here could not be supported and has been removed. Every LPSC-filed tariff in this state's utility rows states five days: Entergy Louisiana's Schedule of Charges reads 'Five (5) full days shall have been allowed after service of such notice before the Customer's Service is actually disconnected', and Cleco, Atmos and Delta North Louisiana file the same period. A tariff cannot offer less than the commission's floor, so a 15 day floor is inconsistent with those filings. The LPSC general order itself has not been read, so no statewide number is asserted here; the per-utility figures below are sourced individually. ","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Entergy Louisiana, LLC","service_area":"Per its own LPSC-filed Terms and Conditions (Page 4.3), the ELL Service Area combines the Legacy Entergy Louisiana area (Assumption, Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Iberville, Jackson, Jefferson, La Salle, Lafourche, Lincoln, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Plaquemines, Red River, Richland, Sabine, St. John the Baptist, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Terrebonne, Union, Vernon, West Carroll, Washington, Webster, Winn) and the Legacy Entergy Gulf States Louisiana area (Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, Vermilion, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana), plus portions of Ascension, Iberville, Livingston and St. Martin. Orleans Parish is served by Entergy New Orleans under City Council rather than LPSC regulation.","notice_days":5,"reconnection_fee":"$8.50 service charge for customers with non-standard meters rather than standard communicating advanced (AMI) meter service; no reconnection service charge is assessed to customers with standard communicating advanced meter service","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (federal; per entergy.com/communities/low-income, for households with income at or below 150% of the federal poverty line or 60% of state median income, whichever is higher, covering heating and cooling costs, energy crises and weatherization). Entergy's 'The Power to Care' provides emergency bill-payment assistance for older adults and people with disabilities; it is funded by customer and employee donations matched by Entergy shareholders and is administered by local nonprofit organizations. Entergy's page does not state an age threshold for The Power to Care, so none is recorded here.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Entergy Louisiana, LLC Schedule MS ('Schedule of Charges for Miscellaneous Services', Page 113.1, First Revised, Revision #1, Effective Date 8/30/2024, Authority: LPSC Order U-36959), Section II 'Reconnect Fees': 'A Notice of Past Due Account shall have been mailed to the individual Customer concerned advising him of the date after which his Service would be disconnected unless his past due balance is paid in full. Five (5) full days shall have been allowed after service of such notice before the Customer's Service is actually disconnected.' The tariff says 'full days', not business days, so this is 5 calendar days measured from service of the mailed notice. Entergy's separate LPSC-filed Terms and Conditions (Page 4.1, Fourth Revised, effective 8/30/2024, same LPSC Order U-36959) contain no competing nonpayment notice period; Schedule MS is where the figure lives. Separately, LPSC General Order R-29706 (Second Amended), Docket R-29706 In re: Disconnection of Service: Electric and Gas Utilities, decided at the Commission's September 12, 2007 session and ordered October 5, 2007, bars an electric utility from disconnecting a residential customer in a parish on a day when either (1) the previous day's highest temperature did not exceed 32F and the temperature is predicted to stay at or below that for the next 24 hours per the nearest National Weather Service reports, or (2) the nearest NWS issues a heat advisory as defined by the NWS. Entergy Louisiana, LLC filed an intervention in that docket and is named in the order.","source_url":"https://www.entergylouisiana.com/wp-content/uploads/ell_elec_ms.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Entergy Louisiana, LLC Electric Service Schedule MS – Schedule of Charges for Miscellaneous Services, Page 113.1 (LPSC Order U-36959)"},{"name":"Cleco Power LLC","service_area":"24 parishes in central, southwest and southeast Louisiana, listed on the cover of Cleco's own LPSC Electric Tariff No. 38: Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Catahoula, DeSoto, Evangeline, Grant, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Vernon and Washington. Headquartered in Pineville, LA; regulated by the LPSC.","notice_days":5,"reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Cleco Alternative Rate for Electricity (CARE) Rider, LPSC Electric Tariff No. 29, Rate Schedule CARE, Eight Revision (Revision #8), Page 29.1, Effective Date 01/01/2026, supersedes CARE effective 01/01/2025, Authority U-36923: a 25% discount on the fuel portion of the bill as calculated under residential rate schedule RS, for all twelve billing months, for residential customers whose total yearly household income before deductions is 60% of state median income (the criterion used by the federal LIHEAP program). Louisiana's Community Action Program agencies process CARE applications from October of the previous year through May; customers who qualified for LIHEAP during that period automatically qualify for CARE, and other customers must show proof of income. Customers must re-qualify each year. The tariff states the rider 'will be closed as of December 31, 2026, but may be renewed through application and approval by the LPSC on a yearly basis.'","shutoff_rules_notes":"Cleco Power LLC Standard Terms and Conditions for Electric Service (LPSC Electric Tariff No. 38, Rate Schedule STC, Second Revision, Revision #2, Page 38.4, Effective Date 04/01/2025, supersedes STC 11/01/2023, Authority U-30689), Section (17) 'Suspension of Service': 'The Company may suspend service at any time that the Customer fails to comply with these Terms and Conditions or with the provisions of any contract between the Customer and the Company. At least five (5) days notice will be given to the Customer by the Company of its intent to so suspend service except in cases of emergency or fraud.' Section (17) continues that, except for emergency or fraud, service shall not be terminated where the customer has advised Cleco in writing that termination would be especially dangerous to the health of the customer or a permanent member of the household and the customer establishes an inability to pay other than in installments and signs an installment agreement; Cleco may require a doctor's statement. Currency: Cleco's own Index of Electric Rate Schedules and Riders (last revised 05/01/2025) lists STC at page 38.1 as last revised 04/01/2025, matching the document above, which Cleco still serves from its tariff library. Reconnection fee: Cleco's Schedule of Charges for Miscellaneous Service (Schedule MS, page 36.1, last revised 07/01/2024 per that same index) would state it, but the MS PDF could not be retrieved — cleco.com's rates, fees and FAQ pages return 403 or a JavaScript shell to automated fetches, and every tariff-library URL pattern tried for schedule 36 returned 404. A web-search summary asserted '$15 during business hours / $30 after hours' but no document stating that was ever opened, so reconnection_fee is left null rather than repeat an unsourced figure.","source_url":"https://www.cleco.com/docs/default-source/rates-and-fees/other-documents/july-2025/38-standard-terms-and-conditions-04-01-2025.pdf?sfvrsn=71081cbd_1","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Cleco Power LLC Standard Terms and Conditions for Electric Service, LPSC Electric Tariff No. 38, Page 38.4, Section (17)"},{"name":"Southwestern Electric Power Company","service_area":"9 parishes in northwest Louisiana, listed on the cover of SWEPCO's own LPSC Electric Tariff book: Bossier, Caddo, DeSoto, Grant, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Vernon and Winn. Regulated by the LPSC; operates as AEP/SWEPCO.","reconnection_fee":"$4.00 to restore service that had been disconnected for non-payment of bills, after the customer has paid the total amount due, during regular working hours; $4.00 during other than regular working hours; an additional $10.00 if the connection is on a pole. A separate $10.00 charge applies when an employee is dispatched to disconnect for non-payment and payment is made without service being discontinued (Schedule of Fees and Charges for Miscellaneous Services, Page 28.1, Revision #4, Effective Date January 30, 2026, Authority Docket #U-36169).","notice_days":null,"assistance_programs":"Energy Emergency Deferred Billing Program (EEDBP), LPSC Tariff Pages 56.1-56.7, Original, Authority: Acceptance Letter November 1, 2008. During an LPSC-declared Energy Emergency, pre-enrolled customers are placed on a levelized deferred billing plan that defers the amount of the bill in excess of the previous year's total bill for the same billing month (the excess must be at least $20), for up to twelve months. The tariff's Application section lists five qualifying categories: persons whose income does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level and who are 65 or older; persons receiving food stamps or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; persons whose sole income is Social Security payments; governmental entities the Commission determines to be vital; and persons certified by a physician as needing life-sustaining electrically operated equipment or electricity-dependent life-sustaining medical treatment. Customers must pre-enroll at their local Community Action Agency with proof of eligibility and a previous SWEPCO bill, and must re-enroll every 24 months.","shutoff_rules_notes":"SWEPCO's LPSC-filed Standard Terms and Conditions (Page 49.2, Original, Revision #: NA, Effective Date Cycle 1 December 1999, Authority Docket No. U-23327), Section 6 'Discontinuance of Service', states in full: 'When bills for electric service are in arrears, or in case the Customer fails to comply with these Terms and Conditions, the Company will have the right to discontinue electric service to the Customer and to remove its property from the Customer's premises upon mailing notice to address to which the monthly bills are sent. There will be a charge for reconnecting the service to Customers whose service has been disconnected for non-payment of bills.' No number of days appears anywhere in that section, so notice_days is left null rather than assumed; this differs from Entergy Louisiana and Cleco Power, whose own LPSC tariffs each specify 5 days. This page is carried in SWEPCO's current Louisiana tariff book (cover: Last Revised July 30, 2026), so the 1999 page is still the operative filed text. LPSC General Order R-29706 (Second Amended, ordered October 5, 2007) separately bars an electric utility from disconnecting a residential customer in a parish on a day when the previous day's high did not exceed 32F with the temperature predicted to stay at or below that for 24 hours, or when the nearest NWS issues a heat advisory as defined by the NWS; AEP/SWEPCO filed an intervention in that docket.","source_url":"https://www.swepco.com/lib/docs/ratesandtariffs/Louisiana/LA_Tariff_Book_as_of_07-30-26.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Southwestern Electric Power Company Louisiana Public Service Commission Tariff (Last Revised July 30, 2026): Standard Terms and Conditions Page 49.2 (Docket U-23327), Schedule of Fees and Charges for Miscellaneous Services Page 28.1 (Docket U-36169), and Rider EEDBP Pages 56.1-56.7"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Atmos Energy Corporation","service_area":"Louisiana Division; 357,422 total customers, per the 'Communities Served' parish tables in the company's own LPSC-filed tariff (Third Revised Pages 4-6, effective 3/1/2025). Tammany (39,257), Ouachita (31,702), Lafayette (30,992), St. Charles (11,770) and East Baton Rouge (5,460). Regulated by the LPSC.","notice_days":5,"reconnection_fee":"$55.00 for restoration of service after disconnection for non-payment during regular business hours; $82.50 after regular business hours; $65.00 for restoration of service after a seasonal disconnect. A $10.00 trip charge applies when an employee is dispatched to disconnect for non-payment and payment is made without service being disconnected (Schedule MSC, Miscellaneous Service Charges, Original Volume 2, Fourth Revised Page 23, effective 3/1/2025).","assistance_programs":"Energy Emergency Deferred Billing Plan (Rider EEDBP, Original Volume 2, Pages 40-41, Third Revised Page 41, effective 3/1/2025). During an Energy Emergency declared under LPSC General Order No. R-26038 dated March 7, 2002, a pre-enrolled qualifying customer's normal bills are suspended and replaced by a monthly 'average bill' computed on the most recent 12-month rolling average, with the difference carried in a deferred balance. The rider defines a Qualifying Customer as a residential customer whose income does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level, or who receives food stamps or TANF, or whose income consists solely of Social Security payments; or a customer otherwise identified as qualifying by the Commission; or a governmental agency providing services whose absence could imperil public health, safety and welfare. The rider sets no age threshold and includes no medical-equipment category, unlike SWEPCO's equivalent program. Enrollment must occur before an Energy Emergency is declared.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Atmos Energy Corporation Standard Gas Tariff filed with the LPSC (Original Volume 2, Fifth Revised Page 14, issued February 14, 2025, effective March 1, 2025, superseding Second Revised Page 11), Standard Terms and Conditions, Suspension of Service: 'For any other default by Customer, the Company shall not discontinue service to any customer for violation of its rules or regulations nor for non-payment of bills, without first having made reasonable efforts to induce the customer to comply with its rules and regulations, or to pay amounts due to the Company. Service may be discontinued after five (5) days' written notice shall have been given to the Customer in the manner specified in Louisiana Public Service Commission's General Orders dated 9/10/1957, 2/20/1973, and 7/12/1976.' That is 5 calendar days of written notice, cited in the tariff itself to three dated LPSC General Orders. Fifth Revised Page 15 adds that service will not be terminated where termination would adversely affect the health and well-being of the customer or a household member, provided the company is given sufficient evidence of that effect and the customer establishes an inability to pay other than in installments. Note on the extreme-weather rule: LPSC General Order R-29706 (Second Amended, ordered October 5, 2007) bars disconnection on declared extreme-cold days, but its footnote 4 states that 'Natural gas utilities are not subject to this prohibition unless the customer uses natural gas to cool his or her home' — the September 12, 2007 clarification, requested by Atmos and CenterPoint, removed gas utilities from the summer heat-advisory restriction. So the summer heat-advisory protection does not generally apply to Atmos gas service.","source_url":"https://www.atmosenergy.com/static/f9ab24c4b5feb906916fb9cd8b6794c0/Louisiana%20Tariffs%20-%20March%202025_1.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Atmos Energy Corporation Standard Gas Tariff Filed with the Louisiana Public Service Commission, Original Volume No. 2, Fifth Revised Page 14 (effective 3/1/2025)"},{"name":"Delta North Louisiana Gas Company, LLC","service_area":"10 parishes in north Louisiana — Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, De Soto, Jackson, Lincoln, Ouachita, Union and Webster — with 131,356 total customers, per the company's own LPSC-filed 'Communities and Parishes Served' table (Original Sheet No. 3, effective 4/1/2025). Formerly CenterPoint Energy Arkla; acquired by Delta Utilities (Bernhard Capital Partners) effective 4/1/2025. Regulated by the LPSC.","notice_days":5,"reconnection_fee":"$31.00 reconnection charge where the customer wants service restored within thirty (30) days after the date of disconnection; $20.00 added to the delinquent account when an employee is dispatched to disconnect for non-payment and payment is made to that employee without service actually being disconnected (Louisiana Standard Terms and Conditions, Schedule No. ST, Original Sheet No. 43, effective 4/1/2025).","assistance_programs":"Per Delta Utilities' own payment-assistance page: LIHEAP, the federally funded program administered by state, regional and local organizations, covering home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization and minor energy-related home repairs; DU Cares, run by the Delta Utilities Foundation in partnership with United Way, offering short-term help with a natural gas bill; payment arrangements letting qualifying customers take up to four months to pay a balance; and payment extensions on past-due amounts. Separately, the company's filed Standard Terms and Conditions, Paragraph 4(e), require that 'Arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the continuance of service on account of sickness or other causes shall be made by the customer prior to the expiration of the notice period' — that is, illness does not automatically extend the deadline; the customer must act before the 5-day notice runs out.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Delta North Louisiana Gas Company, LLC Louisiana Standard Terms and Conditions (Schedule No. ST, Original Sheet No. 42, issued and effective April 1, 2025, issued by Doug Boudreaux, Senior VP of Gas Operations), Paragraph 4(b): 'The Company shall not discontinue service to any customer for violation of its rules or regulations nor for non-payment of bills, without first having diligently tried to induce the customer to comply with its rules and regulations, or to pay amounts due the Company. Service may be discontinued after five (5) days' written notice shall have been given to the customer by the Company in the manner provided for in Paragraph 4 (d)...' Paragraph 4(d) defines valid delivery of that notice as leaving a copy with the customer, leaving it at the service premises, or posting it in the U.S. mail to the customer's last known address. Paragraph 4(c) preserves the customer's right to pay a delinquent account any time before actual disconnection, though it does not affect the Company's right to disconnect within the next business day if the customer pays at an authorized payment center without notifying the Company. Reconnection and trip charges appear on Original Sheet No. 43. This entity took over CenterPoint Energy Arkla's Louisiana operations on 4/1/2025 following CenterPoint's sale of its Louisiana and Mississippi gas distribution business to Bernhard Capital Partners (Delta Utilities), so CenterPoint is no longer the correct legal entity for north Louisiana gas service.","source_url":"https://du-backend.files.svdcdn.com/production/Resources/Regulatory/NLA-Tariffs/41-Standard-Terms-Conditions-ST.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Delta North Louisiana Gas Company, LLC, Louisiana Standard Terms and Conditions (Schedule ST), Original Sheet Nos. 42-43 (effective 4/1/2025)"},{"name":"Delta South Louisiana Gas Company, LLC","service_area":"20 parishes in central and south Louisiana — Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Rapides, St. Helena, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Vernon and Washington — with 117,960 total customers, per the company's own LPSC-filed 'Communities and Parishes Served' table (Original Sheet 3, effective 4/1/2025). Formerly CenterPoint Energy Entex; acquired by Delta Utilities (Bernhard Capital Partners) effective 4/1/2025. Regulated by the LPSC.","notice_days":null,"reconnection_fee":"$25.00 to restore service after termination for non-payment; $10.00 to restore service for seasonal customers; $25.00 collection call-trip charge (Schedule of Non-Recurring Charges, Original Sheet 32, issued and effective April 1, 2025, stated on the sheet to be 'Effective by LPSC Order No. U-26720 Subdocket A dated March 3, 2004').","assistance_programs":"Rider EEBP, Energy Emergency Billing Program (Original Sheet 29, issued and effective April 1, 2025): during an Energy Emergency as defined in LPSC General Order Docket No. R-26038 dated March 7, 2002, a Qualifying Customer who applied before the declaration may take levelized billing instead of normal billing. A Qualifying Customer is a residential customer whose income does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level and who is 65 or older, or who receives food stamps or TANF, or whose income consists solely of Social Security payments; or a customer otherwise identified as qualifying by the Commission; or a governmental agency whose loss of service could imperil public health, safety and welfare. Delta Utilities' own payment-assistance page additionally names LIHEAP, DU Cares (Delta Utilities Foundation with United Way, short-term help with a gas bill), payment arrangements of up to four months, and payment extensions on past-due amounts.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Delta South Louisiana Gas Company, LLC Rules and Regulations (Original Sheets 34-35, issued and effective April 1, 2025, issued by Doug Boudreaux, Senior VP of Gas Operations). Rule 4, 'Institution, Discontinuance, and Reconnection of Service', lets the Company discontinue service for, among other causes, '(5) For failure or refusal of Consumer to pay amounts past due for gas service, to make or renew any deposits required, or to pay any other charges accruing under Consumer's application or contract for Company's service' — but Rule 4 states no number of days of notice, and the only day count anywhere in this tariff document is an unrelated 30-day clause governing the filing of new Rules and Regulations. Delta Utilities' South Louisiana regulatory library contains no separate Standard Terms and Conditions document that would supply one (unlike its sister Delta North Louisiana Gas Company, whose own Standard Terms and Conditions expressly state 5 days). notice_days is therefore left null rather than borrowed from the sister company's filing. Rule 4(d) confirms 'A reconnection-of-service charge may be made when service has been discontinued for any cause'; the amounts are set on the separate Schedule of Non-Recurring Charges, Original Sheet 32 (https://du-backend.files.svdcdn.com/production/Resources/Regulatory/SLA-Tariffs/032-Schedule-of-Non-Recurring-Charges.pdf). This entity took over CenterPoint Energy Entex's Louisiana operations on 4/1/2025.","source_url":"https://du-backend.files.svdcdn.com/production/Resources/Regulatory/SLA-Tariffs/033-Rules-and-Regulations.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Delta South Louisiana Gas Company, LLC, Rules and Regulations, Original Sheets 34-35, and Schedule of Non-Recurring Charges, Original Sheet 32 (effective 4/1/2025)"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Magnolia Water Utility Operating Company, LLC","service_area":"An LPSC-regulated investor-owned water utility owned by Central States Water Resources, serving many small subdivision systems across Louisiana under a single statewide tariff with parish-by-parish rate tiers (its Tier rate pages name parishes including Calcasieu, St. Tammany and Washington). This tariff governs only Magnolia's own systems; most Louisiana residents are served instead by municipal water systems such as the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board and the Baton Rouge system, which are not covered by this filing.","notice_days":5,"reconnection_fee":"$35.00 re-connection fee, described in the tariff as the charge 'for re-establishing service after disconnection for non-payment, failure to make deposit, fraudulent or seasonal use' (Water Service Fees schedule, Revised Page No. 5, Effective Date September 1, 2023, Authority Commission Order No. U-36790, Revised July 28, 2025). A separate $40.00 connection fee covers a change of customer where service was already established, and the delinquent fee is a maximum of 5% of monthly billing after 20 days from the billing date.","assistance_programs":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Magnolia Water Utility Operating Company, LLC Standard Terms of Service – Water, effective July 25, 2025, filed with the LPSC in Docket No. U-37570 and date-stamped by the Commission's records section on October 30, 2025: 'The Company shall not disconnect a customer for non-payment of any principal amount without five (5) days written notice, nor for non-payment of a late penalty assessment without ninety (90) days written notice. Company shall not mail or otherwise deliver a five (5) day written notice of disconnect for non-payment until principal balance is delinquent. Such notice shall not be general in character but shall specifically advise the customer that service will be discontinued five (5) days thereafter unless the bill is paid.' The same Water Terms of Service set out the practical sequence: if a bill is unpaid 20 days after the billing date, then on or after the 21st day the Company sends notice of intent to disconnect in five days, and water service may be disconnected on or after the 26th day. The recorded notice_days is the 5 days the rule states, not the 26-day total, which is arithmetic rather than a stated notice period. A discontinuance notice must give the customer's name and service address, the reason and the reconnection cost, how to avoid discontinuance, the possibility of a payment agreement, and a toll-free number. Scope caution: the same filing also contains a separate Wastewater Terms of Service that adds an 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. disconnection window, a bar on disconnecting when the Company cannot reconnect the next day, and a medical-emergency postponement of up to 21 days with proof. Those provisions appear only in the wastewater terms, not in the Water Terms of Service, and are not claimed here for water service. The filing is a scanned document from a photocopier with no text layer, so it was read by rendering each page at 300 dpi and running Tesseract OCR; the figures above were read off the OCR text of the Terms of Service and the Water Service Fees page within that same date-stamped filing. No bill-assistance program is named anywhere in these water terms or the fee schedule, so assistance_programs is null; LIHEAP funds energy bills, not water.","source_url":"https://centralstateswaterresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Date-Stamped-Revised-Statewide-Water-and-Wastewater-Tariffs-10.30.2025.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Magnolia Water Utility Operating Company, LLC, Standard Terms of Service – Water (effective 7/25/2025) and Water Service Fees (Revised Page No. 5), date-stamped LPSC filing in Docket U-37570"}]},{"state_name":"Maine","state_code":"ME","slug":"maine-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":14,"gas_notice_days":14,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 15–April 15 (Winter Disconnection Period): electric and natural gas utilities cannot disconnect — or even send disconnection notices — to residential customers for non-payment without PUC approval (rarely granted). Customers who contact their utility or the PUC to make reasonable monthly payments will not be disconnected. Strong all-customer protection during the winter period.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Utilities must postpone disconnection when occupants' health or safety would be endangered. Medical certificate from a doctor extends protections beyond the winter period.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) available through Maine DHHS. Maine's winter disconnection protection applies to all residential customers regardless of income, making it one of the broadest protections.","state_puc_url":"https://www.maine.gov/mpuc","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Central Maine Power (CMP)","service_area":"Central and southern Maine; approximately 346 communities; 11,000 square-mile territory; approximately 670,000 customers","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by Maine PUC Chapter 815. Utilities must give residential customers at least 14 calendar days' written notice before disconnection for nonpayment, and cannot issue that notice until at least 30 days after the original bill. Disconnection is prohibited on Fridays, weekends, legal holidays, the day before a legal holiday, or when the utility office is closed, and can only happen between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Winter Disconnection Moratorium (November 15 to April 15): utilities may not disconnect without prior approval from the PUC's Consumer Assistance and Safety Division, granted only if the customer rejects a payment arrangement. During winter, utilities must offer Special Payment Arrangements with reduced payments to customers at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or enrolled in HEAP or SSI, with no late fees while the arrangement holds. A medical emergency requires the utility to postpone disconnection. Per a 2024 Maine law, low-income customers cannot be charged reconnection fees or late fees, and disconnection is also prohibited during extreme heat, cold, or other extreme weather events. CMP's own reconnection charge could not be confirmed: cmpco.com returns HTTP 403 to this tool for every terms-and-conditions and FAQ page tried, and a web search surfaced two conflicting figures ($100 standard, or $12/$35 by meter type) from secondary summaries rather than a document this pass could read directly, so reconnection_fee is left null rather than picking one.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Electricity Lifeline Program (ELP/LIAP): up to $1,200 annual bill credit for LIHEAP-eligible customers; Arrearage Management Program (AMP): up to $300/month arrearage forgiveness (minimum $500 balance, 90+ days old) for LIHEAP-eligible customers; Oxygen Pump/Ventilator Assistance Program: additional credits for customers using oxygen pump or ventilator 8+ hours/day; LIHEAP via local Community Action Agencies","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/maine/65-407-C-M-R-ch-815-SS-10","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"65-407 C.M.R. ch. 815, §10 DISCONNECTIONS (Maine Chapter 815, effective August 29, 2024); CMP customer information","notice_days_basis":"calendar"},{"name":"Versant Power","service_area":"Northern and eastern Maine; Bangor Hydro District and Maine Public District (Aroostook and Washington counties); approximately 160,000 customers across 10,400 square miles","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by Maine PUC Chapter 815. Same statewide rules as CMP: 14 calendar days residential notice; no disconnection on Fridays/weekends/holidays/day before holiday; 8 a.m.–3 p.m. timing restriction. Winter Disconnection Moratorium (November 15–April 15): CASD approval required; Special Payment Arrangements required for customers at or below 150% federal poverty guidelines or enrolled in HEAP/SSI. Medical emergency postponement right. $150 minimum threshold or 90+ days overdue. Low-income customers exempt from reconnection fees and late fees per 2024 Maine law. 2024 extreme weather ban applies. After-hours same-day reconnection requests accepted until 3:30 p.m.","reconnection_fee":"$18.00 during normal business hours; $61.00 for after-hours same-day reconnection; no reconnection fee for low-income customers per 2024 Maine law","assistance_programs":"Low Income Assistance Program (LIAP): annual bill reductions for LIHEAP-qualifying customers; Arrearage Management Program (AMP): up to 100% forgiveness of overdue balances for LIHEAP-eligible customers; LifeLight Program: for customers with life-sustaining medical equipment needs; Budget Billing Program","source_url":"https://www.versantpower.com/docs/default-source/accounts---services/versant-power-terms-and-conditions.pdf","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Versant Power Terms and Conditions of Service (effective July 1, 2025)","notice_days_basis":"calendar"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Northern Utilities, Inc. d/b/a Unitil","service_area":"Greater Portland, Lewiston/Auburn, Biddeford/Saco, and surrounding southern/central Maine communities; as of January 31, 2025, also includes former Bangor Natural Gas territory (Greater Bangor, ~8,500 customers); over 35,000 legacy Northern Utilities customers; acquisition of Maine Natural Gas Company (Augusta, Brunswick, Bath, ~6,250 customers) expected to close by end of 2025","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by Maine PUC Chapter 815, which covers both electric and gas utilities. Utilities must give residential customers at least 14 calendar days' written notice before disconnection for nonpayment; non-residential customers get 7 calendar days. No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, holidays, or the day before a holiday, and only between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Winter Disconnection Moratorium (November 15 to April 15): PUC Consumer Assistance and Safety Division approval required before disconnecting; Special Payment Arrangements available for customers at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or enrolled in HEAP or SSI, with no late fees while the arrangement holds. A medical emergency gives a right to postponement. Low-income customers are exempt from reconnection fees and late fees under a 2024 Maine law. Bangor Natural Gas customers transitioned to Unitil January 31, 2025. No reachable Unitil or Maine PUC page states a standard reconnection fee amount, so reconnection_fee stays null.","reconnection_fee":"Not confirmed from publicly accessible sources; set by tariff filed with Maine PUC; low-income customers exempt per 2024 Maine law","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP/HEAP: 30% discount on both delivery and supply distribution rates for 12 consecutive months for eligible residential customers; Emergency Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP): assistance for customers facing imminent disconnection; LIHEAP coordination via Community Action Agencies","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/maine/65-407-C-M-R-ch-815-SS-10","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"65-407 C.M.R. ch. 815, Section 10 - Disconnections (Consumer Protection Standards for Electric and Gas Transmission and Distribution Utilities)","notice_days_basis":"calendar"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Maine Water Company","service_area":"More than 32,000 customers across 21 Maine communities statewide including Biddeford, Millinocket, Freeport, and others; investor-owned subsidiary of H2O America (Nasdaq: HTO); includes territory formerly served by Aqua Maine (acquired 2012)","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by Maine PUC Chapter 660. 14 calendar days written notice required before disconnection for residential nonpayment. No disconnection notice until at least 30 days after original bill. Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, weekends, legal holidays, day before legal holiday, or when office is closed. Disconnection only between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Minimum threshold: overdue amounts exceeding $50 (or any amount over 90 days old). Medical emergency: right to postpone up to 30 days. Reconnection within same business day or no later than 5 p.m. the following business day. No shutoff solely for nonpayment of sewer charges. No winter moratorium equivalent to Chapter 815 for water utilities.","reconnection_fee":"Varies by community tariff division; specific amounts not confirmed from public tariff documents","assistance_programs":"Water Residential Affordability Program (WRAP): 22% reduction on water bills for income-eligible customers; Maine Housing Water Assistance Program; payment arrangements (contact 1-800-287-1643)","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/maine/65-407-C-M-R-ch-660-SS-10","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"65-407 C.M.R. ch. 660, §10 DISCONNECTIONS (Maine Chapter 660)","notice_days_basis":"calendar"},{"name":"Portland Water District","service_area":"11 Greater Portland communities including Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Westbrook, Cumberland, Falmouth, Gorham, Standish, Scarborough; approximately 57,000 customers; Maine's largest public water utility","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Quasi-municipal public water district, regulated by the Maine PUC under Chapter 660, which mirrors Chapter 815's electric and gas rules for water utilities. At least 14 calendar days' written notice is required before a residential nonpayment disconnection (7 days for non-residential customers). No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, holidays, or the day before a holiday, and only between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. A medical emergency gives a postponement right of up to 30 days. Portland Water District's own account-terms page confirms the general right to notice before disconnection and reconnection by 5 p.m. the following business day, and says PWD makes a good-faith effort to call the customer at least 7 business days before disconnection, but does not itself restate the 14-day figure. No shutoff solely for nonpayment of sewer charges. No winter moratorium for water. No reconnection fee for business-hours reconnection when payment is made in full through an approved channel; the after-hours fee amount remains unconfirmed.","reconnection_fee":"No fee for business-hours reconnection when payment made in full (in-person, online verified by staff, or automated telephone payment); after-hours reconnection fee amount not confirmed","assistance_programs":"Customer Assistance/Lifeline Rates: discounted rates for income-eligible customers based on HEAP guidelines, administered by The Opportunity Alliance (207-553-5900 or 877-429-6884); Utility Safety Net Program: last-resort assistance to prevent shutoff for customers with sudden significant income change","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/maine/65-407-C-M-R-ch-660-SS-10","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"65-407 C.M.R. ch. 660, Section 10 - Disconnections (water utilities)","notice_days_basis":"calendar"}],"electric_notice_basis":"calendar","gas_notice_basis":"calendar"},{"state_name":"Maryland","state_code":"MD","slug":"maryland-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":14,"gas_notice_days":14,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–March 31: gas and electric utilities may not terminate service unless utility files a 24-hour advance affidavit with the PSC certifying the termination does not threaten life or health of residential occupants. Additional weather protection: no disconnection on any day when forecast at 6 a.m. is 32°F or below, or 95°F or above, within 72 hours. Service restored within 24 hours once payment made Dec 1–Mar 31.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Utility must refrain from terminating service for an additional 30 days upon notification that a customer or occupant has a serious medical condition. Customers have 45 days from receipt of a termination notice to arrange a payment plan or apply for energy assistance.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) administers MEAP (Maryland Energy Assistance Program) and LIHEAP. BGE, Pepco, and other utilities offer Customer Assistance Programs (CAP) with bill discounts for income-qualified customers.","state_puc_url":"https://psc.maryland.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE)","service_area":"Baltimore City and central Maryland including Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, and Howard counties","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"14-day written notice required for nonpayment under COMAR 20.31. Winter protection Nov 1–Mar 31: utility must file PSC affidavit at least 24 hours before shutoff certifying no threat to life or health; must attempt personal contact on two separate days before winter shutoff. No shutoff when 6 a.m. forecast temperature is 32°F or below or 95°F or above (72-hour window). Winter disconnection requires unpaid balance exceeding $200 (single service) or $300 (dual electric+gas). Medical exemption: 30-day shutoff delay with physician certification, usable up to 3 times per 12-month period. No shutoff while billing dispute is pending if undisputed amounts are paid. USPP participants: reconnection fee and deposit waived Nov 1–Mar 31. Same-day restoration available if full payment made at authorized location before 3 p.m.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP/LIHEAP); Utility Service Protection Program (USPP); Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP); Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA) up to $2,000; BGE Washington Area Fuel Fund Partnership via Salvation Army (up to $1,000/year); Gas Arrearage Retirement Assistance (GARA)","source_url":"https://regs.maryland.gov/us/md/exec/comar/20.31.02.05","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"COMAR 20.31.02.05 Termination Procedures – Library of Maryland Regulations"},{"name":"Pepco (Potomac Electric Power Company)","service_area":"Montgomery County and Prince George's County, Maryland","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"14-day written notice required for nonpayment under COMAR 20.31. Winter protection Nov 1–Mar 31: utility must file PSC affidavit at least 24 hours before shutoff certifying no threat to life or health; must attempt personal contact on two separate days. No shutoff when 6 a.m. forecast temperature is 32°F or below or 95°F or above. Winter disconnection requires unpaid balance exceeding $200 (single service) or $300 (dual service). Medical exemption: 30-day delay with physician certification. Entering a payment agreement during the notice period pauses termination for 30 days. USPP participants: reconnection fee and deposit waived Nov 1–Mar 31.","reconnection_fee":"$35.00 (per Maryland Terms & Conditions effective September 1, 2023)","assistance_programs":"Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP/LIHEAP); Utility Service Protection Program (USPP); Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA) up to $2,000 once per 5 years; Pepco Washington Area Fuel Fund Partnership via Salvation Army (up to $1,000/year); EmPOWER Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP); Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)","source_url":"https://www.pepco.com/cdn/assets/v3/assets/bltbb7c204688a1a6a8/bltb770f5b6804c804c/6512d7d42901d5000d9424f1/MD_Terms_and_Conditions_-_Connection_Fee_effective_090123_FINAL_Filing.pdf","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Pepco Maryland Terms & Conditions – Connection Fee effective September 1, 2023"},{"name":"Delmarva Power Maryland (DPL)","service_area":"Eastern Shore of Maryland (Upper and Lower Eastern Shore); approximately 208,000 Maryland electric customers","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"14-day written notice required for nonpayment under COMAR 20.31. Winter protection Nov 1–Mar 31: utility must file PSC affidavit at least 24 hours before shutoff certifying no threat to life or health; must attempt personal contact on two separate days. No shutoff when 6 a.m. forecast temperature is 32°F or below or 95°F or above. Winter disconnection requires unpaid balance exceeding $200 (single service) or $300 (dual service). Medical exemption: 30-day delay with physician certification. USPP participants: reconnection fee and deposit waived Nov 1–Mar 31. Note: In February–March 2025 Delmarva temporarily waived late fees, suspended disconnections, and waived deposit requirements in response to unusually high winter bills.","reconnection_fee":"Not confirmed from Delmarva Maryland tariff primary source","assistance_programs":"Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP/LIHEAP); Utility Service Protection Program (USPP); Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA); Delmarva BillSupport programs (delmarva.com/BillSupport, 800-375-7117)","source_url":"https://psc.maryland.gov/frequently-asked-questions/restrictions-on-terminations-4/","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Restrictions on Terminations – Maryland Public Service Commission Consumer FAQ"},{"name":"Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy)","service_area":"Western Maryland: Allegany, Washington, and Frederick counties (full coverage); portions of Carroll, Howard, and Montgomery counties; approximately 285,000 customers","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"COMAR 20.31.02.05 requires the utility to send a termination notice at least 14 days before the termination date, sent by first-class mail or delivered in person, with a copy to any designated third party. Winter protection Nov 1 to Mar 31: the utility must file a PSC affidavit at least 24 hours before shutoff certifying no threat to life or health, and must attempt personal contact on two separate days. No shutoff when the 6 a.m. forecast temperature is 32F or below or 95F or above. Winter disconnection requires an unpaid balance exceeding $200 (single service) or $300 (dual service). A medical certificate gives a 30-day delay (Critical Care Program). Third-Party Notification lets a relative, clergy member, or social service agency be notified alongside the customer. Potomac Edison's own tariff (Schedule 17) is reported to set a reconnection charge, but no reachable page or filed sheet states the dollar amount, so reconnection_fee is left null rather than repeating a vague disclaimer. USPP participants have the reconnection fee and deposit waived Nov 1 to Mar 31.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP/LIHEAP); Utility Service Protection Program (USPP); Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP); Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA) up to $2,000 once per 5 years; Critical Care/Medical Certification Program; Third-Party Notification; Extended Due Dates for customers 60+ or on Social Security/disability","source_url":"https://regs.maryland.gov/us/md/exec/comar/20.31.02.05","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"COMAR 20.31.02.05 - Termination Procedures (Library of Maryland Regulations)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"BGE Gas (Baltimore Gas & Electric)","service_area":"Baltimore City and central Maryland (same territory as BGE Electric: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, and Howard counties)","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"14-day written notice required for nonpayment under COMAR 20.31. Winter protection Nov 1–Mar 31: utility must file PSC affidavit at least 24 hours before shutoff certifying no threat to life or health; must attempt personal contact on two separate days. No shutoff when 6 a.m. forecast temperature is 32°F or below or 95°F or above. Winter disconnection requires unpaid balance exceeding $200 (single service gas) or $300 (dual electric+gas service). Medical exemption: 30-day delay with physician certification, usable up to 3 times per 12-month period. No shutoff while billing dispute is pending if undisputed amounts are paid. USPP participants: reconnection fee and deposit waived Nov 1–Mar 31. Same-day restoration available if full payment made at authorized location before 3 p.m.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP/LIHEAP); Utility Service Protection Program (USPP); Gas Arrearage Retirement Assistance (GARA); Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA) up to $2,000; BGE Washington Area Fuel Fund Partnership via Salvation Army","source_url":"https://regs.maryland.gov/us/md/exec/comar/20.31.02.05","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"COMAR 20.31.02.05 Termination Procedures – Library of Maryland Regulations"},{"name":"Washington Gas Maryland (WGL)","service_area":"Montgomery, Prince George's, Frederick, Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties; approximately 513,000 Maryland customers","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"14-day written notice required for nonpayment (COMAR 20.31.02.05). Notice must include the account number, reason for termination, scheduled date, reconnection charges, total amount due, and customer rights. The utility must notify customers of available financial assistance and alternate payment plans. Winter protection Nov 1 to Mar 31: PSC affidavit required at least 24 hours before shutoff; must attempt personal contact on two separate days. No shutoff when the 6 a.m. forecast temperature is 32F or below or 95F or above. A medical certificate gives a 30-day delay. Washington Gas's own 2025-2026 Maryland customer handbook confirms 'a reconnection fee, as approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission, is charged' but states no dollar amount anywhere in the handbook or on the termination-policy or tariff-index pages this pass could reach, so reconnection_fee is left null rather than repeating the previously stated, unconfirmed $35.00/$60.00. USPP participants have the reconnection fee and deposit waived Nov 1 to Mar 31.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP/LIHEAP); Utility Service Protection Program (USPP); Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF, partnership with Salvation Army); EmPOWER Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP); Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)","source_url":"https://www.washingtongas.com/billing-and-payment/termination-policy-statement","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Termination Policy Statement – Washington Gas"},{"name":"Columbia Gas of Maryland (NiSource)","service_area":"Western and central Maryland: Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties; approximately 33,000 customers","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"14-day written notice required for nonpayment: the company's own Rights and Responsibilities booklet states the Notice of Termination is mailed at least 14 days before the scheduled termination date, matching COMAR 20.31.02.05(C). Customers can prevent shutoff by paying the past-due balance by 10 p.m. the day before the scheduled shutoff date. Winter protection Nov 1 to Mar 31 per COMAR 20.31.03: PSC affidavit required at least 24 hours before shutoff; must attempt personal contact on two separate days. No shutoff when the 6 a.m. forecast temperature is 32F or below or 95F or above. Medical exemption: up to a 30-day delay with licensed medical professional certification, available up to 3 times per 12-month period. An adult (18+) must be present during reconnection. A security deposit is required if not already on file. The booklet also confirms the $48 reconnection fee, matching the figure already on file; the row's previous source, the shutoff-and-reconnect-process page, states the fee but never the 14-day figure, which is why it kept failing verification. USPP participants have the reconnection fee and deposit waived Nov 1 to Mar 31.","reconnection_fee":"$48.00","assistance_programs":"Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP/LIHEAP); Utility Service Protection Program (USPP); Columbia Gas of Maryland Fuel Fund (grants for low-income customers with arrears or disconnected service); Dollar Energy Fund HeatShare; payment plans available","source_url":"https://www.columbiagasmd.com/docs/librariesprovider13/get-natural-gas/rights-and-responsibilities.pdf?sfvrsn=0","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Know Your Rights and Responsibilities - Columbia Gas of Maryland"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC Water)","service_area":"Montgomery County and Prince George's County, Maryland","notice_days":30,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Md. Code, Public Utilities § 25-504 (the WSSC-specific statute, not a PSC rule – WSSC is a bi-county agency the Maryland PSC does not regulate) sets the actual mechanism: a late payment charge of 5% is added if a bill for a 3-month-or-longer service period is unpaid 30 days from the date it was sent; if the bill remains unpaid 30 days after sending, \"after leaving written notice on the premises or mailing notice to the owner's last known address, the Commission shall turn off the water.\" No separate dollar figure for the turn-on fee appears in the statute, only that \"the cost incurred in shutting off and restoring the water supply\" must be paid along with the bill and late charges before service resumes. The Get Current amnesty program waives turn-on fees and late charges for qualifying participants and temporarily suspends residential shutoffs during participation. WSSC's own Code of Regulations Chapter 3.25.010 (Definitions) separately confirms a self-adopted protection: no shutoff when a National Weather Service forecast made 24 hours ahead predicts the temperature at Laurel, Maryland will reach 95F or higher or fall to 25F or below. Call 301-206-4001 to arrange restoration after payment; Emergency Services 24/7 at 301-206-4002.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Customer Assistance Program (CAP) – waives ready-to-serve charges, averaging ~$61/quarter credit for income-eligible customers; WSSC Water Fund (grants up to $500/year for qualifying low-income customers); Get Current amnesty program (waives turn-on fees and late charges); Maryland Water Assistance Program","source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/laws/StatuteText?article=gpu&section=25-504&enactments=false","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Md. Code, Public Utilities § 25-504 (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission), Maryland General Assembly statute database"},{"name":"Maryland American Water","service_area":"Harford County (Bel Air and surrounding areas), portions of Anne Arundel County, Allegany County, and other scattered Maryland communities; approximately 24,000 customers","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"PSC-regulated investor-owned water utility subject to Maryland PSC water rules. Turn-on fee applies for initial service or after disconnection. Regular business hours are 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays; after-hours rate is higher. H2O Help to Others Program available for customers who have received a shutoff notice or have had service disconnected and meet income guidelines (at or below 150% of federal poverty level). Budget Billing, installment plans, and preferred due date options available.","reconnection_fee":"$25.00 during regular business hours (8 a.m.–5 p.m., Mon–Fri, excluding holidays); $120.00 outside regular business hours (payable in advance)","assistance_programs":"H2O Help to Others Program (grants up to $500/year for customers at or below 150% federal poverty level with shutoff notice or active disconnection); Budget Billing; Installment Plans; Preferred Due Date","source_url":"https://amwater.com/mdaw/resources/PDF/customer-service-billing/maryland-amwater-proposed-tariff-2025.pdf","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Maryland American Water Company Tariff – Water-P.S.C. MD No. 11 (proposed/effective 8/1/25)"},{"name":"Baltimore City DPW Water","service_area":"Baltimore City, Maryland","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Accounts considered delinquent when unpaid balance is $250 or more and two billing periods (approximately 60 days) in arrears. At least one delinquent notice must be issued before a turn-off notice is sent; turn-off notice includes anticipated turn-off date. Baltimore City DPW conducts residential water turnoffs seasonally, approximately April 1 through October 31 (no turnoffs conducted November through March). Not regulated by Maryland PSC; Baltimore City is a municipal utility. Customers receiving a shutoff notice should call 410-396-5398 immediately (same day). Payment plans and water assistance programs available to prevent shutoff. Hardship Exemption Program exempts qualifying low-income residents from Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fee and Stormwater Remediation Fee.","reconnection_fee":"Not confirmed from primary source","assistance_programs":"Water Assistance Programs (payment plans, bill adjustments, financial grants); Hardship Exemption Program (fee exemptions for income-eligible customers); Water Billing Programs for residents","source_url":"https://www.baltimorecity.gov/publicworks/water-bill-faqs","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Water Bill Restoration FAQs – Baltimore City Department of Public Works"}]},{"state_name":"Massachusetts","state_code":"MA","slug":"massachusetts-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":null,"gas_notice_days":null,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 15–March 15 is the standard winter moratorium period. For 2025-2026, the DPU expanded it to October 27, 2025–April 1, 2026 due to federal LIHEAP funding delays. Gas and electric companies cannot shut off heating service to residential customers who demonstrate financial hardship. Applies to investor-owned electric and gas utilities regulated by DPU. Customer must contact utility and complete financial hardship form (initial claim by phone accepted; written form due within 7 days). Broadly protective but requires hardship demonstration, not universal.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Life-threatening medical conditions provide strong protection from disconnection. Two tiers: (1) serious illness — utility must not disconnect while illness persists; (2) financial hardship — additional protections during winter moratorium. Standard disconnection notice days not confirmed from primary source — listed as null.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP / HEAP (Heat Emergency Assistance Program) available. Eversource and National Grid offer low-income rate discounts and arrearage management programs.","state_puc_url":"https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-public-utilities","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Eversource Energy (NSTAR Electric / Western Massachusetts Electric)","service_area":"Eastern Massachusetts (Boston metro and surrounding suburbs) and western Massachusetts; largest electric distribution company in MA","notice_days":3,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under 220 CMR 25.02, accounts must be 45 days past due before a termination notice may issue; the final shutoff notice must be delivered at least 72 hours (3 days) but no more than 14 days before disconnection. Shutoffs are restricted to Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. and are prohibited on legal holidays. Winter moratorium (Nov 15–Mar 15) bars shutoffs for heat-dependent residential customers experiencing financial hardship at or below 60% of state median income; the 2025-2026 moratorium was extended through Apr 1, 2026. Year-round protections apply for serious illness (90-day protection), chronic illness (180 days), infants under 12 months, and all-elderly households. A reconnection charge applies per Eversource's M.D.P.U.-filed tariff, but eversource.com blocks its entire /docs/ path (where its tariff PDFs live) in robots.txt, so the current dollar figure could not be confirmed this pass; the $102 previously shown here is not asserted as confirmed.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP/LIHEAP); Residential Arrearage Management Program (RAMP); Low Income Discount Rate (R-2) — 20%–42% bill reduction; Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund (Salvation Army)","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/massachusetts/220-CMR-25-02","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"220 CMR 25.02, Billing and Termination Procedure for Residential Customers, via Cornell LII"},{"name":"National Grid (Massachusetts Electric Company)","service_area":"Central and northeastern Massachusetts including Worcester County and portions of eastern MA; second-largest electric distribution utility in MA","notice_days":3,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under 220 CMR 25.02, accounts must be 45 days past due before the final termination notice may issue; notice must be given at least 72 hours but no more than 14 days before disconnection, restricted to Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Winter moratorium (Nov 15–Mar 15) bars shutoffs for heat-dependent residential customers demonstrating financial hardship at or below 60% of state median income. Year-round protections exist for serious illness (90 days), chronic illness (180 days), infants under 12 months, and all-elderly households. Low-income discount rate (R-2) provides a 32%–71% bill credit effective August 29, 2025.","reconnection_fee":"$37.00 (waived for low-income Rate Schedule R-2 customers)","assistance_programs":"Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP/LIHEAP); Arrears Management Program (AMP) — forgives up to $12,000/yr for R-2 customers; Low Income Discount Rate (R-2) — 32%–71% bill credit; Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund","source_url":"https://www.nationalgridus.com/media/pdfs/billing-payments/tariffs/mae/dist_tcs.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"220 CMR 25.02, Billing and Termination Procedure for Residential Customers, via Cornell LII"},{"name":"Unitil (Fitchburg Gas and Electric — Electric Division)","service_area":"Fitchburg, Leominster, Lunenburg, Townsend, and surrounding north-central Massachusetts communities","notice_days":3,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under 220 CMR 25.02, accounts must be 45 days past due before a termination notice may issue; the final notice must be provided at least 72 hours but no more than 14 days before shutoff, restricted to Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Winter moratorium (Nov 15–Mar 15) protects income-eligible heat-dependent residential customers. Households where all residents are 65 or older cannot be shut off without prior DPU written approval. Customers claiming a special protection may delay shutoff by 72 additional hours to provide documentation.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP/LIHEAP); Low Income Discount Rate; Arrearage Management Program (AMP); Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/massachusetts/220-CMR-25-02","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"220 CMR 25.02, Billing and Termination Procedure for Residential Customers, via Cornell LII"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Eversource Energy Gas (formerly Bay State Gas / Columbia Gas of Massachusetts)","service_area":"Southeastern Massachusetts, South Shore, and Merrimack Valley (acquired from Columbia Gas of MA in 2020)","notice_days":3,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under 220 CMR 25.02, gas accounts must be 45 days past due before the final termination notice may issue; notice must be delivered at least 72 hours but no more than 14 days before disconnection, only between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday–Thursday. Winter moratorium (Nov 15–Mar 15) protects heat-dependent residential customers experiencing financial hardship at or below 60% state median income; 2025-2026 moratorium extended through Apr 1, 2026. Reconnection for verified financial hardship customers requires payment of the lesser of 20% of past-due balance or $400, plus enrollment in a payment plan.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP/LIHEAP); Residential Arrearage Management Program (RAMP); Low Income Discount Rate (R-2); Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/massachusetts/220-CMR-25-02","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"220 CMR 25.02, Billing and Termination Procedure for Residential Customers, via Cornell LII"},{"name":"National Grid Gas (KeySpan Energy Delivery New England)","service_area":"Boston metro area, North Shore, South Shore, and eastern Massachusetts; largest gas distribution company in Massachusetts by customer count","notice_days":3,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under 220 CMR 25.02, accounts must be 45 days past due before a final termination notice may issue; shutoff notice must be given at least 72 hours but no more than 14 days in advance, restricted to Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Winter moratorium (Nov 15–Mar 15) protects heat-dependent residential customers experiencing financial hardship at or below 60% of state median income. The Arrears Management Program (AMP) forgives up to $12,000 per year for low-income customers enrolled in the R-2 discount rate program with balances of $300+ that are 60+ days past due.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP/LIHEAP); Arrears Management Program (AMP) — up to $12,000/yr forgiveness; Low Income Discount Rate (R-2); Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/massachusetts/220-CMR-25-02","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"220 CMR 25.02, Billing and Termination Procedure for Residential Customers, via Cornell LII"},{"name":"Liberty Utilities (New England Gas Company — Fall River Division)","service_area":"Fall River and surrounding southeastern Massachusetts communities in Bristol County","notice_days":3,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under 220 CMR 25.02, accounts must be 45 days past due before a final termination notice may issue; notice must be given at least 72 hours but no more than 14 days before disconnection. Winter moratorium (Nov 15–Mar 15) protects heat-dependent residential customers with financial hardship. The Arrearage Management Program (AMP) forgives $400 per on-time monthly payment (annual cap of $4,800) for income-eligible customers with $300+ in arrears 60+ days past due; participants must also apply for fuel assistance.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP/LIHEAP); Arrearage Management Program (AMP) — $400/month forgiveness, $4,800/yr cap; Low-Income Discount Rate; Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/massachusetts/220-CMR-25-02","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"220 CMR 25.02, Billing and Termination Procedure for Residential Customers, via Cornell LII"},{"name":"Unitil Gas (Fitchburg Gas and Electric — Gas Division)","service_area":"Fitchburg, Leominster, and surrounding north-central Massachusetts communities","notice_days":3,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under 220 CMR 25.02, accounts must be 45 days past due before the final termination notice may issue; notice must be provided at least 72 hours but no more than 14 days before shutoff, restricted to Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Winter moratorium (Nov 15–Mar 15) prohibits shutoffs for heat-dependent customers experiencing financial hardship at or below 60% state median income. Households with all elderly residents (all members 65+) cannot be shut off without prior DPU written approval.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP/LIHEAP); Low Income Discount Rate; Arrearage Management Program (AMP); Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/massachusetts/220-CMR-25-02","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"220 CMR 25.02, Billing and Termination Procedure for Residential Customers, via Cornell LII"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Aquarion Water Company of Massachusetts","service_area":"Southeastern Massachusetts including Plymouth, Pinehills, Oxford, Millbury, Sheffield, and Dover","notice_days":2,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under 220 CMR 25.02, DPU-regulated private water companies must provide at least 36 hours (approximately 2 days) advance notice before termination for non-payment; accounts must be 45 days past due before notice may issue. Protections bar shutoff when an infant under age 1 resides in the household, when all adult household members are 65 or older, or when a documented serious illness and financial hardship exist. Customers may prevent disconnection by paying 5% of the balance or $25 (whichever is lower); after shutoff, reconnection requires enrolling in the Flexible Payment Plan and paying 50% of the total past-due amount.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Flexible Payment Plan (50% of arrears required to reconnect); contact 1-800-732-9678 for hardship options","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/massachusetts/220-CMR-25-02","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"220 CMR 25.02, Billing and Termination Procedure for Residential Customers, via Cornell LII"}]},{"state_name":"Michigan","state_code":"MI","slug":"michigan-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"Winter Protection Plan (heating season, typically November 1–March 31): utilities cannot shut off service to eligible low-income customers (household income ≤150% of poverty level, or receiving state emergency relief) during heating season if the customer pays a monthly amount equal to 7% of the estimated annual bill AND demonstrates within 14 days that they have applied for state or federal heating assistance. Households above 150% of poverty level do not qualify and can be disconnected on the standard schedule.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certification delays disconnection. Michigan statute 460.10t provides protections for households where disconnection would endanger health.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP (Michigan Energy Assistance Program / MEAP) available through MDHHS. DTE Energy and Consumers Energy offer Low Income Self-Sufficiency Plans (LSP). Michigan Gas Utilities offers Winter Protection Plan for income-qualified customers.","state_puc_url":"https://michigan.gov/mpsc","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"DTE Electric Company (Detroit Edison)","service_area":"Southeast Michigan and Detroit metro area; subsidiary of DTE Energy","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Regulated by MPSC under Admin Code R 460.101 et seq. 10-day written notice required (R 460.139) by first-class mail or personal service. Winter Protection Plan (WPP) Nov 1–Mar 31: income-eligible customers pay 7% of estimated annual bill/month; eligibility at age 65+, DHHS assistance recipients, or household income ≤150% FPL (R 460.131). Medical emergency postponement up to 21 days/period, max 63 days/person/year, 126 days/household. Shutoff Protection Plan year-round for customers ≤200% FPL (12-month arrangement).","assistance_programs":"Low-income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP): up to $3,000 bill forgiveness over 24 months for ≤150% FPL customers with State Emergency Relief (SER) approval. Shutoff Protection Plan (SPP): year-round protection for ≤200% FPL. Residential Income Assistance (RIA) credit: $8.50/month on electric bill. LIHEAP/MEAP/THAW/WRAP also applicable.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/michigan/Mich-Admin-Code-R-460-139","source_date":"2026-09-20","source_title":"Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.139, Notice of shut off, via Cornell LII"},{"name":"Consumers Energy (electric)","service_area":"Western and central lower peninsula of Michigan; subsidiary of CMS Energy Corp","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Regulated by MPSC under Admin Code R 460.101 et seq. 10-day written notice required (R 460.139). Winter Protection Plan (WPP) Nov 1–Mar 31 for income-eligible customers at 7% of estimated annual bill/month; eligibility at age 65+, DHHS assistance recipients, or ≤150% FPL. Shut-Off Protection Plan available year-round. Restoration by 10:30 PM if payment made by 2:00 PM same day.","assistance_programs":"CARE Program: up to 24 months of assistance for customers ≤60% State Median Income (SMI). Shut-Off Protection Plan (SPP): year-round. LIHEAP/MEAP/THAW. Budget billing available.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/michigan/Mich-Admin-Code-R-460-139","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.139, Notice of shut off, via Cornell LII"},{"name":"Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO)","service_area":"Western and central Upper Peninsula (Alger, Baraga, Delta, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, Schoolcraft counties); approximately 52,000 customers; owned by Axium Infrastructure (acquired June 2021)","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Regulated by MPSC under Admin Code R 460.101 et seq. 10-day written notice required (R 460.139). Winter Protection Plan (WPP) Nov 1–Mar 31 for income-eligible customers at 7% of estimated annual bill/month; eligibility at age 65+, DHHS assistance recipients, or ≤150% FPL. No reconnection fee for eligible customers during heating season. Medical emergency postponement per state rules.","assistance_programs":"Residential Income Assistance (RIA): $15/month bill credit for customers <150% FPL. EASE Program (UPPCO-administered). State Emergency Relief (SER). MEAP/LIHEAP. Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). Home Heating Credit (HHC).","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/michigan/Mich-Admin-Code-R-460-139","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.139, Notice of shut off, via Cornell LII"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"DTE Gas Company (MichCon)","service_area":"Southeast Michigan and portions of lower peninsula; subsidiary of DTE Energy (separate legal entity from DTE Electric Company)","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Regulated by MPSC under Admin Code R 460.101 et seq. 10-day written notice required (R 460.139). Winter Protection Plan (WPP) Nov 1–Mar 31: income-eligible customers pay 7% of estimated annual bill/month; eligibility at age 65+, DHHS assistance recipients, or ≤150% FPL (R 460.131). Medical emergency postponement up to 21 days/period, max 63 days/person/year. DTE Gas is a separate regulated entity from DTE Electric and maintains separate tariffs and customer accounts.","assistance_programs":"Low-income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP): up to $3,000 bill forgiveness over 24 months for ≤150% FPL customers with SER approval. Shutoff Protection Plan (SPP): year-round for ≤200% FPL. Residential Income Assistance (RIA) credit on gas bill. LIHEAP/MEAP/THAW/WRAP.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/michigan/Mich-Admin-Code-R-460-139","source_date":"2026-09-20","source_title":"Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.139, Notice of shut off, via Cornell LII"},{"name":"Consumers Energy (gas)","service_area":"Western and central lower peninsula of Michigan; subsidiary of CMS Energy Corp (separate gas tariff from electric service)","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Regulated by MPSC under Admin Code R 460.101 et seq. 10-day written notice required (R 460.139). Winter Protection Plan (WPP) Nov 1–Mar 31 for income-eligible customers at 7% of estimated annual bill/month. Shut-Off Protection Plan available year-round. Gas service governed by separate tariff from electric service though administered under same customer accounts.","assistance_programs":"CARE Program: up to 24 months assistance for ≤60% State Median Income (SMI). Shut-Off Protection Plan (SPP). LIHEAP/MEAP/THAW. Budget billing available.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/michigan/Mich-Admin-Code-R-460-139","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.139, Notice of shut off, via Cornell LII"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL)","service_area":"City of Lansing; municipal utility providing electric, water, and steam district heating services","notice_days":5,"reconnection_fee":"$60 (water service; per Rule 15 of Rules and Regulations for Water Service)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Municipal utility not regulated by MPSC for water service (PA 246 of 1995). BWL water service governed by its own Rules and Regulations. 5-day written notice required before water shutoff. Medical Alert Form available to delay disconnection. Rule 15's Schedule of Fees & Charges lists the Reconnection Fee for non-pay or other disconnection at $60 per occurrence, matching the figure already on file; a separate Connect (Turn-on/turn-off) Fee of $105 (standard) or $200 (same-day) applies when initiating service rather than reconnecting after nonpayment. Separate shutoff rules apply to electric service (MPSC-regulated: 10-day notice).","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP. MEAP (Michigan Energy Assistance Program). Low-Income Energy Assist Fund. Flexible payment arrangements. Medical Alert Form for medical hardship protection.","source_url":"https://www.lbwl.com/sites/default/files/documents/FY24%20Rules%20and%20Regulations%20for%20Water_FINAL.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Lansing Board of Water & Light, Rules and Regulations for Water Service, Rule 15 (Schedule of Fees & Charges), effective 07/01/2023"}]},{"state_name":"Minnesota","state_code":"MN","slug":"minnesota-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"October 1–April 30 (Cold Weather Rule): utilities cannot disconnect residential natural gas or electric service used for heating during these months. Applies to all residential customers — not income-limited. Customers must contact utility and establish a reasonable payment plan based on financial circumstances. Households with income ≤50% of state median income: utility MUST NOT disconnect and must reconnect if disconnected.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical conditions provide additional protection beyond the Cold Weather Rule. If a household member's health or safety depends on uninterrupted service, utilities must accommodate before disconnecting.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP) / LIHEAP administered by MN Department of Commerce. Xcel Energy and other utilities offer Conservation Improvement Programs and low-income bill assistance. Cold Weather Rule income threshold provides strongest protection for lowest-income households.","state_puc_url":"https://mn.gov/puc","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Xcel Energy (Northern States Power)","service_area":"Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area and much of central and western Minnesota","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Minn. Stat. 216B.096, subd. 7(c) (the statewide Cold Weather Rule, Oct 1-Apr 30) requires that a utility not disconnect service \"earlier than ten working days after [it] has deposited in first class mail... the notice.\" That figure is confirmed on a live statute page but the statute is generic to every Minnesota utility and never names Xcel specifically, and this pass could not find an Xcel-specific, non-client-rendered document confirming the same figure (Xcel's own Minnesota Cold Weather Rule page renders entirely client-side and returns no readable text to this pipeline). It is also unclear whether the same 10-day figure governs Xcel's practice outside the Cold Weather Rule period (May-Sept); Minnesota's older general notice rule, Minn. R. 7820.2400 (\"at least five days\"), sits in a chapter whose substantive discontinuance-of-service provisions were otherwise repealed in 2007, so it is not clear it still controls. notice_days is null rather than repeating the previous 10, which this pass could not confirm with the same confidence as the other figures in this row. Disconnection notices are not triggered until past-due balance reaches $180; actual disconnection does not proceed until past-due balance reaches $300, after a roughly nine-week outreach effort (phone, email, mail, bill notices, and potentially an in-person visit), confirmed via Xcel's own consumer-facing materials. The residential electric price schedule sets the reconnection charge at $13.50 for customers with a standard AMI meter and $95 for customers on Manual Meter Reading Service, effective January 1, 2025 (up from $50 for Manual Meter Reading Service before that date). Under the Minnesota Cold Weather Rule, service cannot be disconnected when temperatures are forecast below 32F within 24 hours; income-qualified customers (at or below 50% of state median income) must be offered a payment plan capped at 10% of monthly household income.","reconnection_fee":"$13.50 (smart meter/AMI) or $95 (manual meter)","assistance_programs":"Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP/EAP); POWER On Program; Gas Affordability Program; HeatShare (Salvation Army); Medical Affordability Program","source_url":"https://www.xcelenergy.com/staticfiles/xe-responsive/Company/Rates%20&%20Regulations/24-01-406-MN-Res-ElecRates-MN-Res-E-2002.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Xcel Energy Minnesota Residential Electric Prices (MN-Res-E-2002)"},{"name":"Minnesota Power (ALLETE)","service_area":"Northeastern Minnesota including Duluth, Iron Range, and Arrowhead region","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Minnesota Power requires a minimum past-due balance of $200 that is 54 or more days late before the formal disconnection notice process begins; after notice is issued, customers have 10 calendar days to pay or establish a payment plan before service is cut (confirmed on Minnesota Power's Disconnection Policy customer page). The MPUC-filed Electric Rate Book, Section VI, Regulation 20A, sets the Service Reconnection Fee at $20.00 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and $100.00 after 4:30 p.m., before 8:00 a.m., and on weekends and legal holidays; the fee is waived for customers reconnected remotely under the AMI Remote Service Reconnection pilot rider. Under the Minnesota Cold Weather Rule (Oct 1-Apr 30), income-qualified customers (at or below 50% of state median income) cannot be charged more than 10% of monthly household income toward heating bills.","reconnection_fee":"$20 (business hours) or $100 (after hours/weekends/holidays); waived for AMI remote reconnect","assistance_programs":"Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP/EAP); CARE Program; Energy Partners Program; HeatShare (Salvation Army)","source_url":"https://www.mnpower.com/content/documents/customerservice/mp-ratebook.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Minnesota Power Electric Rate Book, Volume I, Section VI (MPUC Docket No. E015/M-18-250)"},{"name":"Otter Tail Power Company","service_area":"West-central Minnesota and eastern North Dakota (Alexandria, Fergus Falls, Bemidji areas)","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Otter Tail Power follows Minnesota PUC rules (Minn. Rules Ch. 7820), which require at least 5 business days written notice (approximately 10 calendar days) before disconnection may occur. Under the Minnesota Cold Weather Rule (Oct 1–Apr 30), customers can call 800-257-4044 to apply for Cold Weather Rule protection; income-qualified customers (≤50% state median income) are entitled to payment terms capped at 10% of monthly household income. The company states it will never request upfront payment of a reconnection fee to restore service.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP/LIHEAP); Uplift Program; HeatShare (Salvation Army)","source_url":"https://www.otpco.com/help-center/your-rights-and-protections/minnesota-cold-weather-rule/","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"Minnesota Cold Weather Rule | Otter Tail Power Company"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"CenterPoint Energy (formerly Minnegasco)","service_area":"Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area and southern Minnesota natural gas distribution","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"CenterPoint Energy Minnesota follows Minnesota PUC rules (Minn. R. 7820.2400, verified directly against the rule text at revisor.mn.gov: notice must precede disconnection by at least 5 days excluding Sundays and legal holidays), implemented in practice as a 10-day notice. Under the Minnesota Cold Weather Rule (Oct 1-Apr 30), customers who enter into and keep a mutually acceptable payment agreement cannot have gas heating service disconnected; customers receiving Energy Assistance, or meeting state income guidelines with proof of income, are not required to pay more than 10% of monthly household income. Customers have 10 working days to appeal payment plan terms to the Minnesota PUC, which then has 20 working days to decide; service stays on or is reconnected during the appeal. The previously cited URL (cold-weather-rule-MN.aspx) now redirects to a generic My Account page with none of this content; re-sourced to CenterPoint's current Cold Weather Rule page.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (EAP/LIHEAP); Gas Affordability Program (payments capped at 6% of income); HeatShare (Salvation Army)","source_url":"https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/my-account/billing-payment/assistance-programs/mn-cold-weather-rule","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Minnesota Cold Weather Rule | CenterPoint Energy"},{"name":"Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation","service_area":"Greater Minnesota natural gas service — Rochester, Mankato, St. Cloud, and other outstate communities","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Minnesota Energy Resources follows Minnesota PUC rules under Minn. R. 7820; the company's own filed tariff (Section 10) requires written disconnection notice to precede shutoff by at least 5 days excluding Sundays and legal holidays. Section 12 of the same tariff sets the reconnection fee at $30.00 for standard nonpayment disconnection (up to a $45.00 maximum outside normal business hours), or $100.00 plus disconnection/reconnection costs for other-cause disconnections such as tampering or unauthorized use; no fee applies if the disconnection was for a hazardous condition. Under the Minnesota Cold Weather Rule (Oct 1-Apr 30), the company provides protection from disconnection for customers who enter into payment agreements; income-qualified customers are eligible for the Energy Assistance Program. Deposits are returned within 45 days of disconnection (Section 9.A), confirmed verbatim in the same tariff. The previously cited lieap page is a client-rendered shell with no policy text; re-sourced to the filed tariff.","reconnection_fee":"$30.00 (standard nonpayment reconnection, up to $45.00 outside normal business hours); $100.00 plus disconnection/reconnection costs for certain other-cause disconnections (tampering, unauthorized use, etc.); waived when disconnection was for a hazardous condition","assistance_programs":"Energy Assistance Program (EAP/LIHEAP — grants of $200–$1,400); Gas Affordability Program (GAP); HeatShare (Salvation Army); Medical Emergency Protection","source_url":"https://www.minnesotaenergyresources.com/company/tariffs/rules.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation Tariff and Rate Book, General Rules, Sections 9-12 (Docket No. G011/GR-17-563, effective July 1, 2019)","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"Xcel Energy (Northern States Power) — Natural Gas","service_area":"Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro area and much of central and western Minnesota (gas service)","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Same disconnection notice framework as Xcel electric in this state's electric.md (see that row for the full citation discussion): Minn. Stat. 216B.096 confirms a ten-working-day Cold Weather Rule (Oct 1-Apr 30) mail-notice figure on a generic, non-Xcel-specific statute page, and no Xcel-specific readable document confirming it (or confirming what applies outside that window) could be found this pass. notice_days is null rather than repeating the previous 10. The notice process is not triggered until past-due balance is at least $180 and disconnection not pursued until balance exceeds $300. The gas price schedule sets a flat Reconnection Charge of $22.50, not the $13.50/$95 AMI-tiered fee that applies to electric service; that figure was copied from the electric row in error in an earlier pass and was already corrected here. A $100 Relock Charge applies after unauthorized reconnection. Under the Minnesota Cold Weather Rule, gas service cannot be disconnected when temperatures are forecast below 32F in the next 24 hours; income-qualified customers (at or below 50% of state median income) are offered payment plans capped at 10% of monthly household income. Customers have 10 working days to appeal payment plan terms to the Minnesota PUC; service remains active during appeal.","reconnection_fee":"$22.50","assistance_programs":"Minnesota Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP/EAP); Gas Affordability Program; HeatShare (Salvation Army); Medical Affordability Program","source_url":"https://www.xcelenergy.com/staticfiles/xe-responsive/Company/Rates%20&%20Regulations/MNResRateCardNaturalGas.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Xcel Energy Minnesota Residential Natural Gas Prices (MN-RES-G-2004)"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"City of Minneapolis — Minneapolis Water Services","service_area":"City of Minneapolis and portions of suburban communities","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Minneapolis water service shutoff rules are governed by City Code Chapter 505. The city's 2022 Council-adopted Schedule Nine fee schedule lists a $62.00 'Water Turn-On or Shut-Off' service fee; the $90 figure previously shown here could not be reconfirmed because the city's Start/Restart/Shutoff consumer page renders its content client-side and returns only navigation to this tool, and no more recent fee schedule PDF could be fetched (the 2026 Utility Rate Resolution on lims.minneapolismn.gov returns HTTP 403). The $62.00 figure is itself four years old and may have been adjusted since; treat it as the best confirmed figure available, not a current guarantee. Customers must complete a Water Release Form before restoration. Specific advance written notice day requirements before initial shutoff are established by city ordinance (Title 19, Chapter 509) but were not confirmed from a working source this pass.","reconnection_fee":"$62.00 (Water Turn-On or Shut-Off fee, per the city's 2022 Council-adopted utility fee schedule; not independently reconfirmed for a later year)","assistance_programs":"2-1-1 United Way utility bill assistance; Salvation Army emergency assistance; payment plans (612-673-5600)","source_url":"https://www.minneapolismn.gov/media/-www-content-assets/documents/Schedule-9---Utility-Fees-Council-Adopted.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"City of Minneapolis Schedule Nine, Utility Fees Schedule (2022 Council Adopted Budget)"},{"name":"Saint Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS)","service_area":"City of Saint Paul and approximately 10 surrounding suburban communities in Ramsey and Washington Counties","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Saint Paul Regional Water Services assesses a $50 water shut off/turn on fee, incurred for shutoffs due to code violation, nonpayment, or customer requests (construction, seasonal shutoff, emergency). A late fee of 5% of total current charges applies if a bill is unpaid within 30 days of the bill date. A returned check/insufficient funds fee of $30 also applies. SPRWS is a municipal utility not subject to MN PUC Cold Weather Rule requirements in the same manner as investor-owned utilities. A previously noted $15 property-tax certification fee could not be reconfirmed on this page and is not restated here.","reconnection_fee":"$50","assistance_programs":"WaterWorks Program (up to $300 assistance via Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties); United Way 2-1-1; Salvation Army","source_url":"https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/saint-paul-regional-water-services/billing-and-payment/rates-and-fees","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Rates and Fees | Saint Paul Regional Water Services"}],"electric_notice_basis":"business","gas_notice_basis":"business"},{"state_name":"Mississippi","state_code":"MS","slug":"mississippi-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Weak","electric_notice_days":5,"gas_notice_days":5,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"December 1–March 31 (Mid-Winter Rule): residential customers in 'extreme financial difficulty' may qualify to avoid disconnection. Customer must actively invoke this protection; it is not automatic. If a freeze warning is issued by NWS for the customer's county before 8 a.m. on the scheduled disconnection day, disconnection is prohibited for that day. Also protected: LIHEAP-approved customers when approval amount equals the delinquent balance payable within 30 days.","medical_exemption":false,"medical_exemption_notes":"No confirmed statewide statutory medical exemption from primary source. Individual utilities may have policies. PSC Bill of Rights does not list medical exemption as a standard right.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available. LIHEAP-approved customers explicitly protected from disconnection when approval equals delinquent balance payable within 30 days. Mississippi PSC administers utility bill payment assistance information.","state_puc_url":"https://www.psc.ms.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Entergy Mississippi, LLC","service_area":"Western and southwestern Mississippi including Jackson, Vicksburg, Natchez, Greenville and the Delta region; investor-owned utility regulated by the Mississippi Public Service Commission","notice_days":5,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Statewide PSC Rule 8.100(1) (39 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. III, Ch. 8, formerly Rule 8.A, as amended by Order in Docket 2009-AD-347, eff. 9/3/2010; compiled Feb. 10, 2012) requires at least 5 days' written notice before discontinuance for nonpayment or rules violation, with a stated date on/after which disconnection may occur; exceptions only for fraud, unlawful use, or a dangerous condition. Rule 8.100(2) bars weekend/holiday disconnection unless the utility is open to accept payment and restore service that day. Rule 8.100(3) requires prompt reconnection the first business day after payment. Rule 8.120 (Mid-Winter Rule) bars Dec-Mar disconnection for customers who file a financial-hardship statement and enter a 133%-of-levelized-billing payment plan; breach of that plan still requires a further 5-day written notice. Rule 8.125(1) bars disconnection for 60 days on a Mississippi- (or adjoining-state-) licensed physician's written life-threatening-situation certification. Rule 8.125(3) bars electric/gas disconnection if a NWS freeze warning or (electric only) excessive heat warning is in effect as of 8am on the scheduled day. The PSC rules set a generic default dispatch fee of $1.00 and reconnection charge of $2.00 (Rule 8.105(3)), but the rule text itself says individual utilities may set their own charges by filed tariff; Entergy Mississippi's own tariff page returned HTTP 404 in this pass, so its actual reconnection fee is left null rather than assumed to be the $2.00 statewide default. Mississippi rural electric cooperatives and municipally owned systems may fall under different or no PSC service-rule jurisdiction; this row applies to Entergy Mississippi as an investor-owned utility only.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP benefits equal to the delinquent balance and payable within 30 days block disconnection once the utility is notified (Rule 8.105(2)); Rule 8.120 Mid-Winter Rule extended payment plan (Dec-Mar) for customers certifying extreme financial difficulty; Rule 8.105(1) right to negotiate a delayed payment plan.","source_url":"https://www.psc.ms.gov/sites/default/files/Documents/Service%20Rules.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Mississippi Public Service Commission, Rules and Regulations Governing Public Utility Service (Title 39, Part III), Rule 8 - Discontinuance of Service, compiled with amendments eff. Feb. 10, 2012"},{"name":"Mississippi Power Company","service_area":"Southeastern Mississippi including Gulfport, Biloxi and Hattiesburg; investor-owned utility regulated by the Mississippi Public Service Commission","notice_days":5,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Same statewide PSC Rule 8 (39 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. III, Ch. 8) applies as to Entergy Mississippi: at least 5 days' written notice (Rule 8.100(1)), no weekend/holiday disconnection unless the office is open (Rule 8.100(2)), prompt next-business-day reconnection (Rule 8.100(3)), Dec-Mar Mid-Winter Rule payment plan (Rule 8.120), 60-day life-threatening-situation medical exception (Rule 8.125(1)), and freeze/excessive-heat-warning exemptions (Rule 8.125(3)). This row reflects the generic PSC rule only; Mississippi Power's own tariff pages returned HTTP 404 in this pass, so no utility-specific reconnection fee is recorded (the PSC's own generic default is $2.00 per Rule 8.105(3), but that rule expressly allows utility-specific tariffs to supersede it, so it is not assumed here).","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP benefits equal to the delinquent balance and payable within 30 days block disconnection once the utility is notified (Rule 8.105(2)); Rule 8.120 Mid-Winter Rule extended payment plan (Dec-Mar) for customers certifying extreme financial difficulty.","source_url":"https://www.psc.ms.gov/sites/default/files/Documents/Service%20Rules.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Mississippi Public Service Commission, Rules and Regulations Governing Public Utility Service (Title 39, Part III), Rule 8 - Discontinuance of Service, compiled with amendments eff. Feb. 10, 2012"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Atmos Energy Corporation (Mississippi service area)","service_area":"Multiple Mississippi cities and towns served by Atmos Energy's Mississippi distribution division; investor-owned gas utility regulated by the Mississippi Public Service Commission","notice_days":5,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"PSC Rule 8 (39 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. III, Ch. 8) is a General Rule applicable to every public utility under PSC jurisdiction, including gas utilities, not only electric: at least 5 days' written notice before disconnection for nonpayment (Rule 8.100(1)), no weekend/holiday disconnection unless the office is open to accept payment (Rule 8.100(2)), prompt next-business-day reconnection (Rule 8.100(3)), Dec-Mar Mid-Winter Rule payment plan for gas and electric residential customers specifically (Rule 8.120), 60-day life-threatening-situation medical exception (Rule 8.125(1)), and a freeze-warning exemption for gas disconnection (Rule 8.125(3)(a); the excessive-heat exemption in 8.125(3)(b) is electric-only). Atmos's own Mississippi tariff/customer-service pages were not independently fetched in this pass, so no utility-specific reconnection fee is recorded; do not assume this is the same figure as the electric-utility default. Confidence is medium, matching Entergy Mississippi and Mississippi Power's electric rows, because all three rest on the same statewide PSC Rule 8, which the rule text confirms applies to gas utilities equally; no utility should be marked lower confidence than another resting on identical evidence.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP benefits equal to the delinquent balance and payable within 30 days block disconnection once the utility is notified (Rule 8.105(2)); Rule 8.120 Mid-Winter Rule extended payment plan (Dec-Mar) for customers certifying extreme financial difficulty.","source_url":"https://www.psc.ms.gov/sites/default/files/Documents/Service%20Rules.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Mississippi Public Service Commission, Rules and Regulations Governing Public Utility Service (Title 39, Part III), Rule 8 - Discontinuance of Service, compiled with amendments eff. Feb. 10, 2012"}]},{"state_name":"Missouri","state_code":"MO","slug":"missouri-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–March 31 (Cold Weather Rule): on any day when NWS forecasts temperature will drop below 32°F during the following 24 hours, utilities cannot disconnect residential service necessary to the operation of heating equipment. 2025 state law expanded and codified the PSC Cold Weather Rule for all electric and gas utilities. Before disconnecting during this period, utilities must notify customers of available financial assistance. Does not cover municipal utilities, electric cooperatives, or propane delivered by truck.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certification postpones disconnection. Missouri PSC rules protect households where disconnection would endanger health or life.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP administered by Missouri Department of Social Services. Missouri's Weather Assistance Termination (WAT) Rule provides some income-based protections alongside the Cold Weather Rule. Utilities must offer deferred payment agreements.","state_puc_url":"https://psc.mo.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Evergy Missouri Metro","service_area":"Kansas City metro and western Missouri; subsidiary of Evergy Inc (formerly Kansas City Power & Light / KCP&L)","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"MO PSC 4 CSR 240-13 requires 10-day written notice before disconnection for nonpayment. Cold Weather Rule (Nov 1–Mar 31): no disconnection of residential heating-related service when NWS forecasts temps below 32°F within 72 hours (expanded by 2025 law). Reconnection fees deferred during CWR; CWR reconnect requires 1/12 overdue + 1/12 current bill + fees, with balance over 11 months. Utility must leave physical notice on day of shutoff. Medical certification available under PSC rules. Separate tariff from Evergy Missouri West (P.S.C. MO. No. 2).","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP/Missouri ECIP (federally funded, Nov 1–May 31); Economic Relief Pilot Program (ERPP) via Salvation Army — up to $65/month for 12 months for households ≤200% FPL (call 816-756-5392 option 1); Evergy Connect resource center (Kansas City); payment plans and arrangements","source_url":"https://www.evergy.com/manage-account/billing-link/financial-help/cold-weather-rule","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Cold Weather Rule — Evergy"},{"name":"Evergy Missouri West","service_area":"Southwestern Missouri (Joplin area and surrounding region); subsidiary of Evergy Inc (formerly Empire District Electric)","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"MO PSC 4 CSR 240-13 requires 10-day written notice before disconnection for nonpayment. Same Cold Weather Rule framework applies as Evergy Missouri Metro (Nov 1–Mar 31; 72-hour temperature look-ahead as of 2025 expansion). Operates under separate tariff from Evergy Missouri Metro (P.S.C. MO. No. 1). New rates effective January 1, 2025 following rate case. Medical certification available under PSC rules.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP/Missouri ECIP (federally funded; same programs as Evergy Missouri Metro); Economic Relief Pilot Program (ERPP) via Salvation Army (≤200% FPL); payment arrangements","source_url":"https://efis.psc.mo.gov/Document/Display/838557","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"EVERGY MISSOURI WEST, INC. d/b/a EVERGY MISSOURI WEST P.S.C. MO. No. 1 2nd — MO PSC EFIS"},{"name":"City Utilities of Springfield","service_area":"Springfield metro area (Greene County and adjacent areas); municipal utility — not subject to MO PSC regulation","notice_days":9,"shutoff_rules_notes":"City Utilities of Springfield is a municipal utility and is not bound by the Missouri Public Service Commission's 10-day rule (4 CSR 240-13), so its notice period is 9 business days, not 10. It is also not subject to the Missouri PSC Cold Weather Rule, which explicitly excludes municipal utilities. The 9-business-day figure is confirmed directly by CU President-CEO Dwayne Fulk's public letter explaining the policy: “If no payment is made by the due date of the second bill — typically 51 days after the original bill was issued — a disconnection notice is mailed which informs the customer that their account is eligible for disconnection in nine business days.” A phone call follows the business day before the scheduled disconnection. CU's own Service Rules (CU Policy 5.47) separately define a 'Credit Reconnect Fee' assessed whenever service is disconnected for nonpayment, with the dollar amount set by the Board rather than stated in the rules themselves, which is why reconnection_fee is null; those rules also state that unpaid balances after 17 calendar days can be billed at the gross (undiscounted) rate, and nonpayment of that add-on allows disconnection. Customers with heating-related hardship should contact CU directly at (417) 863-9000; no guaranteed state winter moratorium applies to this municipal utility.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP administered by OACAC (Ozark Area Community Action Corporation; (417) 862-4314); Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) via OACAC; Project SHARE (Springfieldians Helping Area Residents with Energy — customer donation fund, administered by OACAC; January–May); Level Pay (budget billing); payment arrangements (by phone or online)","source_url":"https://sgfcitizen.org/voices-opinion/letters/letter-city-utilities-ceo-explains-disconnect-policy/","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Letter: City Utilities CEO explains disconnect policy — Dwayne Fulk, City Utilities President-CEO, published by Springfield Daily Citizen","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"Ameren Missouri","service_area":"Eastern and central Missouri including St. Louis metro; subsidiary of Ameren Corporation (formerly Union Electric / AmerenUE)","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"20 CSR 4240-13.055 (Missouri's Cold Weather Rule) requires at least 10 days' written notice before disconnection for nonpayment from November 1 through March 31, plus a second contact attempt (mailed notice, door hanger, or two phone calls) within 96 hours of disconnection. The codified rule text still states a 24-hour, 32F forecast threshold for the day-of-disconnection moratorium; multiple 2025 news reports describe SB 4 extending that window to 72 hours starting with the November 2025 to March 2026 season, but this pass could not locate a primary regulatory document (an updated CSR or a PSC order) that states 72 hours directly, so both figures are noted here rather than asserting one as confirmed. This 2020 PSC-approved stipulation (File No. EE-2019-0382) sets Ameren Missouri's reconnection fee at $5 for AMI (smart meter) customers and keeps the existing $30 fee for customers who do not use AMI or who have opted out, matching the figures already on file. Medical certification postpones disconnection; Ameren must notify customers of available financial assistance before disconnecting during the Cold Weather Rule period.","reconnection_fee":"$5 for AMI smart-meter customers; $30 for non-AMI or AMI opt-out customers (per 2020 PSC Partial Stipulation and Agreement)","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (federally funded; Winter ECIP Nov 1–May 31 for elderly/disabled, Dec 1–May 31 all others; Summer ECIP Jun 1–Sep 30); Dollar More (United Way and community agencies, up to $600/year, income up to 300% FPL, dial 211); Budget Billing; Payment arrangements","source_url":"https://efis.psc.mo.gov/Document/Display/10707","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Partial Stipulation and Agreement, Missouri PSC File No. EE-2019-0382 (Ameren Missouri AMI variance case)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Spire Missouri East","service_area":"St. Louis metro and eastern Missouri; subsidiary of Spire Inc (formerly Laclede Gas, P.S.C. MO. No. 8)","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"MO PSC 4 CSR 240-13 requires 10-day written notice before disconnection for nonpayment. Cold Weather Rule (Nov 1–Mar 31): no disconnection of residential natural gas (heating) service when NWS forecasts temperature below 32°F within 72 hours (expanded by 2025 state law from 24-hour look-ahead). Reconnection fees deferred during CWR. First CWR reconnect: lesser of 50% of arrears or $500; remainder paid in installments. Second disconnect in same CWR period: 80% of past-due balance required for restoration. Medical certification postpones disconnection under PSC rules. Separate tariff entity from Spire Missouri West (P.S.C. MO. No. 8 vs. No. 9); late fee structures differ between East and West territories. Reconnection fee exists per PSC tariff; specific dollar amount not confirmed.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP/Missouri ECIP (federally funded; administered through Missouri DSS; Nov 1–May 31 for elderly/disabled, Dec 1–May 31 for all other households); DollarHelp (community fund for low-income, elderly, and disabled in eastern Missouri counties, St. Louis; contact 816-561-2727); Budget Billing; Payment arrangements; Appliance repair program; Weatherization assistance","source_url":"https://www.spireenergy.com/spire-offers-cold-weather-rule-payment-plans-starting-today","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Spire Offers Cold Weather Rule Payment Plans Starting Today | Spire"},{"name":"Spire Missouri West","service_area":"Kansas City metro and western Missouri; subsidiary of Spire Inc (formerly Missouri Gas Energy, P.S.C. MO. No. 9)","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"MO PSC 4 CSR 240-13 requires 10-day written notice before disconnection for nonpayment. Cold Weather Rule (Nov 1–Mar 31): no disconnection of residential natural gas (heating) service when NWS forecasts temperature below 32°F within 72 hours (expanded by 2025 state law from 24-hour look-ahead). Reconnection fees deferred during CWR. First CWR reconnect: lesser of 50% of arrears or $500; remainder paid in installments. Second disconnect in same CWR period: 80% of past-due balance required for restoration. Medical certification postpones disconnection under PSC rules. Separate tariff entity from Spire Missouri East (P.S.C. MO. No. 9 vs. No. 8); West-specific late fee structure confirmed on spireenergy.com/late-fee-information-western-missouri (1.5% applied to total past-due balance). Reconnection fee exists per PSC tariff; specific dollar amount not confirmed.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP/Missouri ECIP (federally funded; administered through Missouri DSS; Nov 1–May 31 for elderly/disabled, Dec 1–May 31 for all other households); DollarHelp (community fund for low-income, elderly, and disabled in western Missouri counties, Joplin, St. Joseph, Kansas City; contact 816-561-2727); Budget Billing; Payment arrangements; Appliance repair program; Weatherization assistance","source_url":"https://www.spireenergy.com/late-fee-information-western-missouri","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Late Fee Information for Western Missouri | Spire"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Missouri American Water","service_area":"Multiple communities statewide; largest investor-owned water utility in Missouri; subsidiary of American Water Works Company (AWIA)","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"PSC-regulated. At least 10 days' written notice before discontinuing water service for nonpayment; at least 30 days' notice for wastewater-only accounts. The notice must explain the reason and amount owed. A customer may file an informal complaint with the MO PSC (800-392-4211 or psc.mo.gov) within 5 days of the disconnect notice to avoid shutoff, and must then pay the undisputed portion within 4 days (or 50% of a disputed bill). No Cold Weather Rule moratorium applies to water utilities. Missouri American Water's own Rights and Responsibilities page confirms 'There is a reconnection fee' but states no dollar amount, and no other reachable source confirms the previously stated $188 figure (said to be effective March 1, 2024), so reconnection_fee is left null rather than repeating an unconfirmed number.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"H2O Help to Others Program (emergency assistance via county Community Action Agencies for customers facing disconnection who meet basic needs criteria); LIHWAP — Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (state-federal; up to $750 one-time payment; apply at mydss.mo.gov/utility-assistance or call 855-373-4636); Installment Plan (25% upfront + balance over up to 6 months); Budget Billing","source_url":"https://www.amwater.com/moaw/Customer-Service-Billing/Rights-Responsibilities/Customer-Rights-And-Responsibilities/index","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Customer Rights And Responsibilities — Missouri American Water"}]},{"state_name":"Montana","state_code":"MT","slug":"montana-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–April 1: regulated utilities must get PSC approval before shutting off service for non-payment. PSC will not approve disconnection if the account holder has income at or below the federal poverty guideline, receives public assistance, has a household member age 62 or older, or has a handicapped household member. Not a universal moratorium — condition-specific and requires PSC approval.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Handicapped household members are explicitly protected under the winter moratorium criteria. General medical certification can also postpone disconnection.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available through Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Montana PSC winter moratorium has income and public assistance criteria that broadly cover low-income households.","state_puc_url":"https://psc.mt.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-22","electric_utilities":[{"name":"NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern Corporation)","service_area":"NorthWestern's own site describes its territory as serving \"gas and electric to customers in the western two-thirds of Montana and eastern South Dakota.\" Investor-owned and regulated by the Montana Public Service Commission, which approves its Montana electric tariff (Docket 2018.02.012, Order 7604u).","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"ARM 38.5.1405(2)(a) (Montana Administrative Code, subchapter 38.5.14, Termination of Gas and Electric Service; text verified on Cornell LII) requires a second written notice sent or personally served at least 10 days before the proposed termination date, after a first notice to which no response was received within 10 days of mailing. The 10 recorded here is that final pre-termination notice, not a sum of the two periods. A shorter 5-BUSINESS-day notice (not 5 calendar days) applies only where the customer's check was returned NSF after the first notice or a payment agreement was broken, ARM 38.5.1405(2)(b). Landlord accounts get a 30-day first notice, and affected tenants must be separately notified no later than 15 days before termination, ARM 38.5.1405(2)(c)-(d). NorthWestern's own Commission-approved Montana Electric Tariff Rule No. 13 (Docket 2018.02.012, Order No. 7604u, Tariff Letter 361-E, Commission Approved November 25, 2019) restates all four figures verbatim at Rule 13-5.B.1-4; that PDF is a scanned image with no text layer, so it was read by OCR and the parseable Cornell LII text of the ARM is cited as source_url instead. Electric Rule 13-13.A requires 2 business days after personal or telephone contact, or after notice posted conspicuously, before actual termination -- more protective than the ARM 38.5.1413 floor of one day after personal/telephone notice or one business day after posted notice. ARM 38.5.1410 bars any nonpayment termination between November 1 and April 1 without specific prior Commission approval, and separately bars termination on any day at or below freezing at 8 a.m. or with a forecast snowstorm or freezing temperatures, where the customer shows inability to pay, a household member aged 62 or older, or a handicapped household member. ARM 38.5.1412 and tariff Rule 13-12 confine terminations to 8 a.m.-noon on a day the utility can also reconnect. ARM 38.5.1411 (amended 2010 MAR p. 754, eff. 3/26/10) protects an account where a licensed provider certifies that loss of service would aggravate an existing medical condition, on a 180-day certificate renewable semiannually, with a $500 arrearage threshold. Reconnection fee is null, not zero: the complete Montana electric rules index (Rules 1-14 and 16-23) and the complete electric rate schedule index (schedules 01-89) were reviewed and no sheet states a reconnection-fee dollar amount; Rule 13-5.C and 13-6.E refer only to \"any reconnection charge specified in the Utility's filed tariffs\" and \"the amount of the reconnection fee, if any.\"","assistance_programs":"Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. NorthWestern's own residential tariff Schedule REDS-1 grants LIHEAP-qualified customers a Low Income Discount on the Delivery Services Charge bill equal to 15% from May 1 to October 31 and 25% from November 1 to April 30. Energy Share of Montana and county Human Resource Development Councils also assist; 211 for referrals.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/montana/Mont-Admin-r-38.5.1405","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Mont. Admin. R. 38.5.1405, Notice Prior to and at the Time of Termination (Montana Administrative Code via Cornell LII); corroborated by NorthWestern Energy Montana Electric Tariff Rule No. 13, Docket 2018.02.012, Order 7604u"},{"name":"Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.","service_area":"Eastern Montana \"Badlands Region\" only -- Glendive, Miles City, Wolf Point (district offices), plus Baker, Sidney, Forsyth, Plentywood, Scobey, Culbertson, Terry, Wibaux and others, per MDU's own Montana Electric Rate Schedule \"Communities Served\" sheet (Volume No. 5, Original Sheet No. 2). MDU's Montana gas footprint is larger than its electric footprint. Investor-owned, regulated by the Montana Public Service Commission.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$20.00 to restore electric service disconnected for nonpayment (MDU Montana Electric Rate Schedule, Rate 100 General Provisions, Section 9.ii, Docket No. 2022.11.099, Order No. 7876f, effective with service rendered on and after October 1, 2023). A separate $20.00 non-demand / $40.00 demand charge under Section 8 applies only to seasonal customers who themselves discontinued service within the preceding 12 months, and is not a nonpayment reconnection fee.","shutoff_rules_notes":"MDU's own Montana Electric Rate 100 (General Provisions), Section 9.i, states that where a customer becomes delinquent \"such service may be discontinued by the Company under the applicable rules of the Montana Public Service Commission\" -- MDU's Montana electric tariff sets no notice schedule of its own, so the day counts come directly from the Commission's rules. ARM 38.5.1405(2)(a) (subchapter 38.5.14, text verified on Cornell LII) requires a second written notice at least 10 days before the proposed termination date, after a first notice unanswered for 10 days; the 10 recorded here is that final pre-termination notice, not a sum. A 5-BUSINESS-day notice (not 5 calendar days) applies only for an NSF check after first notice or a broken payment agreement, ARM 38.5.1405(2)(b); landlord accounts get a 30-day first notice and affected tenants a separate notice no later than 15 days before termination, ARM 38.5.1405(2)(c)-(d). ARM 38.5.1410 bars nonpayment termination from November 1 to April 1 without specific prior Commission approval and on freezing or forecast-freezing days for customers showing inability to pay, a household member aged 62 or older, or a handicapped household member. ARM 38.5.1412 confines terminations to 8 a.m.-noon on a day service can be reconnected, and ARM 38.5.1413 bars actual termination until one day after personal or telephone notice, or one business day after posted notice. ARM 38.5.1411 (amended eff. 3/26/10) gives a 180-day medical certificate, renewable semiannually, with a $500 arrearage threshold. MDU's Electric Rate 110 (Electric Service Rules and Regulations), Section 110.4(d), separately requires payment of an \"applicable reconnection fee\" on restoration after disconnection for unauthorized use, but states no dollar amount there; the nonpayment figure is the $20.00 in Rate 100 Section 9.ii. MDU is investor-owned and therefore within PSC jurisdiction; Montana's municipal and cooperative electric providers are not bound by this subchapter.","assistance_programs":"Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services through county Human Resource Development Councils; Energy Share of Montana; 211 for referrals. MDU's own site provides an Assistance Programs page for customers seeking bill-payment help.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/montana/Mont-Admin-r-38.5.1405","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Mont. Admin. R. 38.5.1405, Notice Prior to and at the Time of Termination (Montana Administrative Code via Cornell LII); reconnection fee from MDU Montana Electric Rate 100, General Provisions Sec. 9.ii (Docket 2022.11.099, Order 7876f)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern Corporation)","service_area":"Natural gas across NorthWestern's Montana territory; NorthWestern's own site describes serving \"gas and electric to customers in the western two-thirds of Montana and eastern South Dakota.\" Two separate Commission-approved Montana gas tariffs apply: the main NorthWestern natural gas tariff, and a distinct Great Falls Natural Gas Tariff covering the Great Falls, Cut Bank, West Yellowstone and Hardy Creek systems acquired from Energy West Montana (Docket No. 2024.08.088, Final Order No. 7981d, order served May 20, 2025, staff approved June 30, 2025). Investor-owned, regulated by the Montana Public Service Commission.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"The Montana Administrative Code subchapter on termination, ARM Title 38, chapter 5, subchapter 14, is titled \"Termination of Gas and Electric Service\" and applies to gas by its own terms -- ARM 38.5.1401 defines \"customer\" as a purchaser of gas or electric service -- so the gas day counts are the same rule text as the electric ones, not an electric figure copied across. ARM 38.5.1405(2)(a) (verified on Cornell LII) requires a second written notice at least 10 days before the proposed termination date, after a first notice unanswered for 10 days; the 10 recorded here is that final pre-termination notice, not a sum of the two periods. NorthWestern's own Commission-approved Montana Natural Gas Tariff Rule No. 13 independently restates this at 13-5.B.1, sets a 5-BUSINESS-day notice (not 5 calendar days) at 13-5.B.2 for an NSF check after first notice or a breached payment agreement, a 30-day landlord first notice at 13-5.B.3 and a tenant notice no later than 15 days before termination at 13-5.B.4; Rule 13-10 bars November 1 to April 1 nonpayment terminations without Commission approval, 13-12 confines terminations to 8 a.m.-noon on a day service can be reconnected, and 13-13.A bars actual termination until two business days after personal, telephone or posted notice (more protective than the ARM 38.5.1413 floor of one day / one business day). That gas Rule 13 is cited as corroboration rather than as source_url because it does not govern the former Energy West systems: the separate Great Falls Natural Gas Tariff contains no termination-of-service rule at all (its Rule 13 is \"Location of Meters\"), so Great Falls, Cut Bank and West Yellowstone customers are governed directly by the ARM subchapter, which the Cornell LII citation covers for the whole territory. Caution on one tariff provision: gas Rule 13-11 still describes a 30-day medical certificate renewable monthly, language predating the Commission's 2010 amendment of the parallel state rule; the current controlling standard is ARM 38.5.1411 (AMD 2010 MAR p. 754, eff. 3/26/10), a 180-day certificate renewable semiannually with a $500 arrearage threshold. Reconnection fee is null, not zero: neither the main gas Rule 13 nor the Great Falls Natural Gas Tariff states a dollar figure; Rule 13-5.C and 13-6.E refer only to \"any reconnection charge specified in the Utility's filed tariffs\" and \"the amount of the reconnection fee, if any.\"","assistance_programs":"Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services through county Human Resource Development Councils; Energy Share of Montana; 211 for referrals.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/montana/Mont-Admin-r-38.5.1405","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Mont. Admin. R. 38.5.1405, Notice Prior to and at the Time of Termination (Montana Administrative Code via Cornell LII); corroborated by NorthWestern Energy Montana Natural Gas Tariff Rule No. 13, Termination of Service"},{"name":"Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.","service_area":"Two regions, per MDU's own Montana Natural Gas Service \"Communities Served\" sheet (Volume No. 7, Original Sheet No. 2): the Rocky Mountain Region, with Billings as region office, plus Laurel, Hardin, Bridger, Joliet, Belfry, Crow Agency, Edgar, Fromberg, Park City, Pryor, Rockvale and Silesia; and the eastern Badlands Region, including Glendive, Miles City, Sidney, Wolf Point, Baker, Forsyth, Glasgow, Malta, Poplar, Terry and Wibaux. This gas footprint is larger than MDU's electric-only Badlands territory. Investor-owned, regulated by the Montana Public Service Commission.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$30.00 minimum reconnect charge after termination for nonpayment or other causes, during normal business hours, reduced to $12.00 for customers who qualified for LIEAP in the current program year; after normal business hours the charge is at standard overtime rates (MDU Montana Natural Gas Service, Rate 100 Conditions of Service, Section VI.1.c, read with Section V.22; Docket No. 2024.05.061, for service rendered on and after November 1, 2025).","shutoff_rules_notes":"MDU's own Montana Natural Gas Rate 100 (Conditions of Service), Section 22, \"Discontinuance of Service for Nonpayment of Bills,\" states that delinquent service \"may be discontinued by the Company under the applicable rules of the Commission\" and sets the restoration fee by reference to Section VI.1.c; it sets no notice schedule of its own, so the day counts come directly from the Commission's rules. ARM Title 38, chapter 5, subchapter 14 is titled \"Termination of Gas and Electric Service\" and reaches gas by its own terms -- ARM 38.5.1401 defines \"customer\" as a purchaser of gas or electric service -- so this is the gas rule, not an electric figure copied across. ARM 38.5.1405(2)(a) (verified on Cornell LII) requires a second written notice at least 10 days before the proposed termination date, after a first notice unanswered for 10 days; the 10 recorded here is that final pre-termination notice, not a sum. A 5-BUSINESS-day notice (not 5 calendar days) applies only for an NSF check after first notice or a broken payment agreement, ARM 38.5.1405(2)(b); landlord accounts get a 30-day first notice and affected tenants a separate notice no later than 15 days before termination, ARM 38.5.1405(2)(c)-(d). ARM 38.5.1410 bars nonpayment termination from November 1 to April 1 without specific prior Commission approval and on freezing or forecast-freezing days for customers showing inability to pay, a household member aged 62 or older, or a handicapped household member. ARM 38.5.1412 confines terminations to 8 a.m.-noon on a day service can be reconnected; ARM 38.5.1413 bars actual termination until one day after personal or telephone notice or one business day after posted notice. ARM 38.5.1411 (amended eff. 3/26/10) gives a 180-day medical certificate, renewable semiannually, with a $500 arrearage threshold. Note that Rate 100 Section 21 sets a separate reconnection charge for seasonal or temporary customers who themselves discontinued service within the preceding 12 months; that is not the nonpayment fee and is not the figure recorded here.","assistance_programs":"Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP/LIHEAP), administered by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services through county Human Resource Development Councils; MDU's own gas tariff reduces the nonpayment reconnect charge from $30.00 to $12.00 for customers who qualified for LIEAP in the current program year. Energy Share of Montana; 211 for referrals.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/montana/Mont-Admin-r-38.5.1405","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Mont. Admin. R. 38.5.1405, Notice Prior to and at the Time of Termination (Montana Administrative Code via Cornell LII); reconnection fee from MDU Montana Natural Gas Rate 100, Conditions of Service Sec. VI.1.c (Docket 2024.05.061)"}]},{"state_name":"Nebraska","state_code":"NE","slug":"nebraska-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":7,"gas_notice_days":7,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–March 31 (Cold Weather Rule for natural gas customers of Black Hills Energy and NorthWestern Energy regulated by Nebraska PSC): prevents disconnection of natural gas service without providing an additional 30 days to pay beyond the normal bill due date. Limited scope — primarily natural gas, and not all utilities. Many Nebraska utilities are municipally owned and not under PSC jurisdiction.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certificate from a licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse filed within 5 days (excluding holidays and weekends) of receiving notice prevents disconnection for at least 30 days.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available through Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Nebraska Energy Office administers assistance programs. Many utilities are municipally owned (OPPD, LES) with their own assistance programs.","state_puc_url":"https://www.psc.nebraska.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Omaha Public Power District (OPPD)","service_area":"13-county service territory in eastern Nebraska including Omaha; publicly owned power district (not a municipal utility owned by a village)","notice_days":7,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Neb. Rev. Stat. Sec. 70-1605 (public/private utility companies furnishing water, natural gas, or electricity at retail, other than a village-owned municipal utility) bars disconnection for nonpayment for at least 7 business days -- that is, 'at least seven days after notice is sent or given,' excluding holidays and weekends from that count; notice may be in person, first-class mail (conspicuously marked), or electronic delivery if the customer requested that method. Sec. 70-1606 requires the notice to state the reason for the proposed disconnection, the disconnection date, contact information, the customer's right to a pre-disconnection conference (service may not be disconnected while a requested conference is pending), the cost of restoring service, and installment/welfare-assistance information. A physician, physician assistant, or APRN certificate that disconnection would create an immediate, serious health hazard for the subscriber or a household resident, filed within 5 days (excluding holidays/weekends) of the notice, blocks disconnection for at least 30 days (one postponement per nonpayment incident). Sec. 70-1605 also caps discontinuance/reconnection fees at 'the reasonable costs of providing such service' but states no specific dollar figure, so reconnection_fee is left null. OPPD is a public power district, not 'a municipal utility owned and operated by a village' (which is separately, and identically, covered by Sec. 70-1603's 7-day rule), so it falls within Sec. 70-1605's 'public...utility company' language; this reading was not confirmed against a PSC order or case law specific to OPPD in this pass.","assistance_programs":"Sec. 70-1606 requires the disconnection notice to disclose welfare/public-assistance information and installment-payment options; the specific Nebraska LIHEAP administering agency and any OPPD-specific hardship program were not independently confirmed from a primary source in this pass.","source_url":"https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=70-1605","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Nebraska Revised Statutes Sec. 70-1605 and Sec. 70-1606 (Nebraska Legislature website)","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD)","service_area":"Wholesale and retail electric service across most of Nebraska outside the Omaha and Lincoln metro areas; publicly owned power district","notice_days":7,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Same statutory protections as described for OPPD apply: Neb. Rev. Stat. Sec. 70-1605 requires at least 7 business days' notice -- i.e., 7 days excluding holidays/weekends -- before nonpayment disconnection; Sec. 70-1606 sets required notice content, a pre-disconnection conference right, and a 30-day medical-certificate postponement (one per nonpayment incident, certificate filed within 5 business-equivalent days of notice); fees are capped at reasonable cost with no statutory dollar figure. NPPD is a public power district rather than a village-owned municipal utility, so it appears to fall under Sec. 70-1605's coverage rather than the parallel village-utility statute (Sec. 70-1603), though this was not confirmed against a specific PSC or NPPD-board order.","assistance_programs":"Sec. 70-1606 requires disclosure of welfare-assistance and installment-payment information in the notice; no NPPD-specific program was independently confirmed from a primary source in this pass.","source_url":"https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=70-1605","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Nebraska Revised Statutes Sec. 70-1605 and Sec. 70-1606 (Nebraska Legislature website)","notice_days_basis":"business"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Black Hills Energy (Nebraska Gas Utility Company, LLC)","service_area":"Multiple Nebraska communities including Kearney, Norfolk and surrounding areas; investor-owned natural gas utility","notice_days":7,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"As a private utility company furnishing natural gas at retail, Black Hills Energy is squarely covered by Neb. Rev. Stat. Sec. 70-1605: at least 7 business days' written/electronic notice -- i.e., 7 days excluding holidays and weekends -- before nonpayment disconnection. Sec. 70-1606 requires the notice to state the reason and date of proposed disconnection, contact information, the right to a pre-disconnection conference (disconnection barred while a requested conference is pending), restoration cost, installment-plan and welfare-assistance information. A licensed physician/PA/APRN certificate of immediate serious health hazard, filed within 5 days of notice (holidays/weekends excluded), blocks disconnection for at least 30 days (one postponement per nonpayment incident). Sec. 70-1605 caps discontinuance/reconnection fees at 'reasonable costs' without stating a dollar amount, so reconnection_fee is left null; Black Hills Energy's own Nebraska tariff was not independently fetched in this pass.","assistance_programs":"Sec. 70-1606 requires the notice to disclose welfare-assistance and payment-plan information; the specific Nebraska LIHEAP administering agency was not independently confirmed from a primary source in this pass.","source_url":"https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=70-1605","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Nebraska Revised Statutes Sec. 70-1605 and Sec. 70-1606 (Nebraska Legislature website)","notice_days_basis":"business"}],"electric_notice_basis":"business","gas_notice_basis":"business"},{"state_name":"Nevada","state_code":"NV","slug":"nevada-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No winter moratorium. Instead, a summer heat protection: utilities cannot disconnect when temperature exceeds 105°F (or 95°F for elderly or disabled customers). Medical emergencies also delay disconnection by 30 days. Nevada's extreme summer heat makes this the primary protection analogous to other states' winter rules.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Doctor or public health official statement postpones disconnection for 30 days, extendable for an additional 30 days. Applies to all utility types under PUCN jurisdiction.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"NV Energy offers Energy Assistance, WaterStart, and low-income bill payment programs. LIHEAP available through Nevada DHHS. PUCN requires utilities to offer payment plans to customers in financial need.","state_puc_url":"https://puc.nv.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-22","electric_utilities":[{"name":"NV Energy Nevada Power","service_area":"Southern Nevada (Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City area)","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Nevada Power is a PUCN-regulated investor-owned utility subject to NAC 704.302-.390. Per NAC 704.355 (grounds) and NAC 704.360 (notice), a utility may terminate electric or gas service for nonpayment only after sending written notice at least 10 days before terminating (48 hours if a deferred-payment agreement is broken, per NAC 704.341). A second notice is required if there is no response to the first (NAC 704.360(3)). Reconnection fees are set utility-by-utility 'as set forth in its tariff' under NAC 704.383(4), so no statewide dollar figure exists; Nevada Power's specific Schedule MC tariff was not fetched in this pass.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"NAC 704.341-704.342 require the utility to offer a deferred/installment payment program for hardship customers and to coordinate with governmental and nonprofit agencies that provide low-income energy and weatherization assistance; the regulation itself does not name a specific program (e.g., LIHEAP is administered by a separate state agency, not confirmed via an approved primary source in this pass).","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/nevada/NAC-704-360","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Nev. Admin. Code 704.355, 704.360, 704.383 (Rights and Obligations of Customers of Certain Electric and Gas Utilities)"},{"name":"NV Energy Sierra Pacific Power","service_area":"Northern Nevada (Reno, Sparks, Carson City area)","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Sierra Pacific Power's own PUCN-filed tariff (Rule 6, Electric Service Rules - North) restates NAC 704.355/.360: written notice of intended termination must be sent at least 10 days before termination (or 48 hours after a broken deferred-payment agreement). The tariff caps the reconnection charge at 'not more than charges set forth in Schedule MC, Miscellaneous Charges' rather than stating a fixed dollar figure; Schedule MC itself was not located in this pass.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"NAC 704.341-704.342 require a hardship/deferred-payment program and coordination with low-income energy-assistance agencies; no specific program is named in the rule or the fetched tariff excerpt.","source_url":"https://www.nvenergy.com/publish/content/dam/nvenergy/brochures_arch/about-nvenergy/rates-regulatory/electric-rules-north/Rule_06_Electric_North.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Sierra Pacific Power Company (NV Energy) Electric Service Rules - North, Rule No. 6, Termination of Service"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Southwest Gas Nevada","service_area":"Southern Nevada (Las Vegas, Henderson area) and northern Nevada (including the Reno/Carson City area) -- Southwest Gas serves both, not just the Las Vegas area","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Southwest Gas's Nevada operations are PUCN-regulated and subject to the same NAC 704.302-.390 rules that cover electric and gas utilities together. NAC 704.355/.360 require at least 10 days' written notice before terminating gas service for nonpayment (48 hours after a broken deferred-payment agreement, NAC 704.341). Reconnection charges are set in each utility's PUCN-filed tariff per NAC 704.383(4); Southwest Gas's specific tariff schedule was not fetched in this pass, so no dollar figure is recorded.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"NAC 704.341-704.342 require a hardship payment program and coordination with low-income energy-assistance agencies; the rule does not name a specific program.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/nevada/NAC-704-360","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Nev. Admin. Code 704.355, 704.360, 704.383 (Rights and Obligations of Customers of Certain Electric and Gas Utilities)"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Las Vegas Valley Water District","service_area":"Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, and surrounding unincorporated Clark County areas","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"LVVWD is a governmental water district exempt from PUCN jurisdiction (NRS 704 regulates investor-owned utilities; governmental/quasi-governmental water agencies are not PUCN-regulated), so NAC 704 does not apply here and this row is governed instead by the District's own Board-adopted Service Rules (eff. 1-1-2026). Those rules (Sec. 5.3) say the District will 'attempt to notify' a customer before terminating service but expressly 'reserves the right to terminate or discontinue a service without notice ... for nonpayment of an account' - no minimum day count is guaranteed, so notice_days is recorded as null rather than invented.","reconnection_fee":"$10 Turn-On Fee (Service Rules Appendix I, Table A.21) plus a $20 Delinquent Processing Fee assessed after a shutoff for nonpayment (Table A.7); add $15 for same-day service or $70 for after-hours/holiday turn-on (Table A.21).","assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://www.lvvwd.com/assets/pdf/service-rules.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Las Vegas Valley Water District Service Rules, effective January 1, 2026 (Sections 4.6, 5.3, 5.5, 7.25, Appendix I Tables A.7 and A.21)"}]},{"state_name":"New Hampshire","state_code":"NH","slug":"new-hampshire-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":14,"gas_notice_days":14,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"Utilities must seek PUC approval before disconnecting customers age 65+ and customers with known financial hardship during winter. Residential customers cannot be disconnected for non-payment of a deposit or portion of a deposit during winter. No disconnection on weekends or holidays; utilities must attempt personal or phone contact at least 2 days before shutoff during winter. Protections are limited to age 65+ and hardship cases — not all residential customers.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical emergency certification postpones disconnection. Customers with expired medical certifications have a defined reconnection process under Puc 1205.05.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"NH LIHEAP / Electric Assistance Program (EAP) available. Eversource NH and Liberty Utilities offer low-income rate assistance. NH Office of Strategic Initiatives administers energy assistance.","state_puc_url":"https://www.puc.nh.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":"Electric Assistance Program (EAP): 8–76% discount on first 750 kWh for income-eligible customers (≤60% NH State Median Income); apply via local Community Action Agency. New Start/Arrearage Management Program: past-due balance forgiveness in as few as 12 months for income-eligible customers (Eversource only among NH utilities). Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund: up to $300 (electric heat) or $200 (non-heat) per two years for customers ineligible for LIHEAP with a disconnect notice. LIHEAP/Fuel Assistance: $100–$2,177 per year via local Community Action Agency. NHSaves income-eligible energy efficiency: no-cost weatherization and up to $6,000 in upgrades for households ≤100% State Median Income.","name":"Eversource Energy (Public Service of New Hampshire / PSNH)","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Majority of New Hampshire; approximately 500,000 customers across most of the state; subsidiary of Eversource Energy; operates as Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) dba Eversource Energy under NHPUC No. 10 tariff","shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by NH Admin Rules Puc 1203 and NHPUC Tariff No. 10. 14 calendar days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (Puc 1203.11). Disconnection only Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; prohibited on state/federal holidays and days immediately preceding holidays. Winter moratorium (Nov 15–Mar 31, per Puc 1203.12): utility may not disconnect residential heating customers owing less than $450 (electric heat) or $225 (non-heating electric); no disconnection for non-payment of deposit during winter period; customers 65+ and those with known financial hardship require additional Commission review before disconnection. Medical emergency (Puc 1205): disconnection postponed upon receipt of licensed physician/APRN/PA/mental health practitioner certification; Eversource offers online medical emergency protection portal. Reconnection fee exists per tariff but exact current dollar amount was not accessible from primary sources during research (NHPUC No. 10 tariff PDFs were unreadable). Reconnection must be requested; service restored Mon–Thu during business hours.","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"NH Admin Code Puc 1203.11 (Disconnection of Service) — Cornell LII; Eversource Payment Assistance NH page; NHSaves 2024–2026 Plan","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-hampshire/N-H-Admin-Code-SS-Puc-1203.11"},{"assistance_programs":"Electric Assistance Program (EAP): 8–76% discount on electric delivery charges for income-eligible customers (≤60% NH State Median Income); apply via local Community Action Agency. Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund: up to $300 (electric heat) or $200 (non-heat) per two years for customers with disconnect notice ineligible for LIHEAP. LIHEAP/Fuel Assistance via local Community Action Agency. NHSaves income-eligible energy efficiency programs. No arrearage management program (Eversource AMP is Eversource-only).","name":"Liberty Utilities (Granite State Electric)","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Western and southern areas of New Hampshire not served by Eversource; approximately 50,000 customers (~6% of NH electric customers); formerly Granite State Electric, now operating as Liberty Utilities under NHPUC No. 23 tariff; subsidiary of Algonquin Power & Utilities / Liberty Utilities Co.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by NH Admin Rules Puc 1203 and NHPUC Tariff No. 23 (Electricity Delivery Service, effective May 1, 2026). 14 calendar days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (Puc 1203.11). Disconnection only Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; prohibited on state/federal holidays and preceding days. Winter moratorium (Nov 15–Mar 31): no disconnection of residential heating customers owing less than $450 (electric heat) or $225 (non-heating electric). Medical emergency: disconnection postponed per Puc 1205 upon physician/APRN/PA certification. Reconnection fee charged per tariff schedule; specific current dollar amount not accessible from primary source PDFs during research. Service area includes towns in western and southern NH.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"N.H. Admin. Code Puc 1203.11, Disconnection of Service, via Cornell LII","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-hampshire/N-H-Admin-Code-SS-Puc-1203.11"},{"assistance_programs":"Electric Assistance Program (EAP): 8–76% discount on electric delivery charges for income-eligible members (≤60% NH State Median Income); apply via local Community Action Agency. Project Care: charitable grant program (one grant per 12 months) for members who have applied to other agencies first; helps prevent disconnection or restore terminated service within 30 days. Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund: up to $300 (electric heat) or $200 (non-heat) per two years for members with disconnect notice ineligible for LIHEAP. LIHEAP/Fuel Assistance via local Community Action Agency. NHSaves income-eligible energy efficiency programs. Payment Arrangements: contact NHEC Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–5 p.m. at 800-698-2007 Option 5.","name":"New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC)","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Rural areas across New Hampshire; approximately 84,000 member-accounts (~12% of NH electric customers); headquartered in Plymouth, NH; member-owned cooperative operating under a certificate of deregulation filed with the NHPUC","shutoff_rules_notes":"NHEC holds a certificate of derogation under RSA 374 and is largely exempt from NHPUC rate regulation; however, NHEC's own Terms & Conditions explicitly state: 'The disconnection of a member for failure to pay is governed by the New Hampshire PUC 1203 Rules.' 14-day written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (Section G.2 of T&C). Minimum balance thresholds apply: non-winter accounts must owe >$100 and be 60+ days past due; winter accounts must owe >$225 (non-electric heat) or >$450 (electric heat). Winter moratorium (Nov 15–Mar 31): cooperative provides minimum 48 hours advance notice in person or by telephone to an adult at the premises before disconnecting during winter period. Medical emergency (Section G.5): disconnection postponed pending written physician verification; member must negotiate payment arrangement. Reconnection fee charged per Schedule of Fees; specific dollar amount not accessible from primary source PDFs during research. Payment arrangements per Puc 1203.07.","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"NHEC Terms & Conditions (Sections G.1–G.6); NHEC Payment Programs page","source_url":"https://www.nhec.com/terms-and-conditions/"},{"assistance_programs":"Electric Assistance Program (EAP): 8–76% discount on electric delivery charges for income-eligible customers (≤60% NH State Median Income); apply via local Community Action Agency. Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund: up to $300 (electric heat) or $200 (non-heat) per two years for customers with disconnect notice ineligible for LIHEAP. LIHEAP/Fuel Assistance via local Community Action Agency. NHSaves income-eligible energy efficiency programs.","name":"Unitil Energy Systems (NH Electric)","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Seacoast and southern New Hampshire; approximately 11% of NH electric customers; communities include Exeter, Hampton, Stratham, Seabrook, North Hampton, Kingston, Greenland, Newmarket, and Epping; subsidiary of Unitil Corporation; operates under NHPUC No. 3 tariff","shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by NH Admin Rules Puc 1203 and NHPUC Tariff No. 3 (Electricity Delivery). 14 calendar days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (Puc 1203.11). Disconnection only Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; prohibited on state/federal holidays and preceding days. Winter moratorium (Nov 15–Mar 31): no disconnection of residential heating customers owing less than $450 (electric heat) or $225 (non-heating electric). Medical emergency: disconnection postponed per Puc 1205 upon physician/APRN/PA certification. When cause for disconnection is removed, company will reconnect upon customer request per Puc 1203.13; 'the Company may make a reasonable charge for reconnection' per NHPUC No. 12 Gas tariff reference (applicable rule framework same for UES electric). Specific reconnection fee dollar amount not accessible from primary source PDFs during research.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"N.H. Admin. Code Puc 1203.11, Disconnection of Service, via Cornell LII","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-hampshire/N-H-Admin-Code-SS-Puc-1203.11"}],"gas_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":"Gas Assistance Program (GAP): 45% discount on the delivery portion of heating bills for income-eligible customers (Nov–Apr); participants must receive or qualify for LIHEAP/means-tested program; apply via local Community Action Agency or call Liberty at 1-800-833-4200. Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund (Neighbor Helping Neighbor): up to $300 (gas+electric heat customer) or $200 (gas only) per two years for customers with disconnect notice ineligible for LIHEAP. LIHEAP/Fuel Assistance: $100–$2,177 per year via local Community Action Agency. Discount Rate: reduced rate for income-eligible gas heating households. NHSaves income-eligible energy efficiency programs.","name":"Liberty Utilities (EnergyNorth Natural Gas)","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Manchester, Concord, Berlin, Keene, and approximately 30 cities and towns along the I-93 corridor in central and southern NH; approximately 98,000 gas customers; formerly EnergyNorth Natural Gas, now Liberty Utilities (EnergyNorth Natural Gas) Corp.; subsidiary of Algonquin Power & Utilities / Liberty Utilities Co.; operates under NHPUC Tariff No. 12 for Gas Service","shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by NH Admin Rules Puc 1203 and NHPUC Gas Tariff No. 12 (Liberty Gas). 14 calendar days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (Puc 1203.11). Disconnection only Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; prohibited on state/federal holidays and preceding days. Winter moratorium (Nov 15–Mar 31): no disconnection of residential gas heating customers owing less than $450; customers 65+ and those with known financial hardship require Commission review before disconnection. Medical emergency: disconnection postponed per Puc 1205 upon physician/APRN/PA certification. Reconnection fee charged per tariff; specific dollar amount not accessible from primary source tariff PDFs during research. Current tariff: NHPUC No. 12, effective May 1, 2026.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"N.H. Admin. Code Puc 1203.11, Disconnection of Service, via Cornell LII","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-hampshire/N-H-Admin-Code-SS-Puc-1203.11"},{"assistance_programs":"Gas Assistance Program (GAP): 45% discount on the delivery portion of heating bills for income-eligible customers (Nov–Apr); participants must receive or qualify for LIHEAP/means-tested program; apply via local Community Action Agency or call Unitil at 1-888-301-7700. Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund: up to $300 (gas+electric customer) or $200 (gas only) per two years for customers with disconnect notice ineligible for LIHEAP. LIHEAP/Fuel Assistance: $100–$2,177 per year via local Community Action Agency. NHSaves income-eligible energy efficiency programs.","name":"Unitil (Northern Utilities) — NH Gas","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Seacoast area of New Hampshire; approximately 35,000 gas customers in 25 communities in the southeastern seacoast region; operates as Northern Utilities, Inc. d/b/a Unitil; subsidiary of Unitil Corporation; operates under NHPUC No. 12 Gas tariff","shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by NH Admin Rules Puc 1203 and NHPUC Gas Tariff No. 12 (Northern Utilities). 14 calendar days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (Puc 1203.11). Disconnection only Mon–Thu 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; prohibited on state/federal holidays and preceding days. Winter moratorium (Nov 15–Mar 31): no disconnection of residential gas heating customers owing less than $450; customers 65+ and financial hardship customers require additional review before disconnection. Medical emergency: disconnection postponed per Puc 1205 upon physician/APRN/PA certification. Per NHPUC No. 12 tariff: 'When the cause for disconnection has been removed, the Company will reconnect service upon the Customer's request, in accordance with Rule PUC 1203.13 and the Company may make a reasonable charge for reconnection.' Specific reconnection fee dollar amount not accessible from primary source tariff PDFs during research.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"N.H. Admin. Code Puc 1203.11, Disconnection of Service, via Cornell LII","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-hampshire/N-H-Admin-Code-SS-Puc-1203.11"}],"water_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":"Flexible Payment Plan: pay 5% of balance or $25 (whichever is less) before scheduled shutoff date to prevent disconnection; or enroll in plan and pay 50% of past-due balance plus reconnection charge to restore service after shutoff. Payment arrangements available for up to 12 months. Customers with active payment arrangement (with no missed payments) protected from disconnection. Contact Customer Service at 1-800-732-9678. No utility-specific low-income discount program found for NH water customers; LIHEAP/Fuel Assistance for heating only.","name":"Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Seacoast communities in NH; primarily Hampton, North Hampton, Rye, and Stratham; approximately 9,733 customers; owned by Eversource Energy (pending sale to Unitil Corp., which was NH-PUC approved Oct 2025 but overall transaction remains pending as of May 2026 due to MA DPU complications); operating under Aquarion brand as Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire","shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by NH Admin Rules Puc 1203 and NHPUC Water Tariff No. 1. Note on current ownership: Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire is currently owned by Eversource Energy (acquired 2017). The company is NOT yet branded as Eversource Water — it continues to operate as Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire. A pending sale to Unitil Corp. (via Aquarion Water Authority) was NH-PUC approved in October 2025 but the overall transaction remains pending as of May 2026 due to Massachusetts regulatory complications. 14-day written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (Puc 1203.11 and confirmed by search results referencing Abenaki tariff which follows same PUC rules). Pre-shutoff: technician makes one final contact attempt before scheduled shutoff date; customer can prevent shutoff by paying 5% of balance or $25, whichever is less. Reconnection after shutoff: must call during business hours (Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.); enroll in Flexible Payment Plan and pay 50% of past-due balance plus reconnection charge (maximum $1,000 total for plan enrollment). Reconnection fee specific dollar amount not accessible from primary source tariff PDFs during research. Medical emergency protections per Puc 1205 apply. Winter moratorium protections per Puc 1203.12 apply to extent applicable to water service.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"N.H. Admin. Code Puc 1203.11, Disconnection of Service, via Cornell LII","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-hampshire/N-H-Admin-Code-SS-Puc-1203.11"},{"assistance_programs":"Contact Pennichuck customer service at 800-553-5191 or customer-service@pennichuck.com for payment arrangements. No utility-specific low-income rate discount program found on primary source during research. General NH assistance programs (LIHEAP for heating costs, not water bills) are available via local Community Action Agencies. Customers in arrears should contact Pennichuck before the disconnection date.","name":"Pennichuck Water Works","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Greater Nashua area and numerous smaller systems across southern and central New Hampshire; approximately 38,640 customers (largest NH water utility); sole owner is the City of Nashua (acquired 2012); since March 1, 2025, merged with former Pennichuck East Utility and Pittsfield Aqueduct Company into a single system adding ~20 additional communities; operates under NHPUC Tariff No. 6","shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by NH Admin Rules Puc 1203 and NHPUC Water Tariff No. 6 (current tariff authorized by NHPUC Order No. 27,098 in DW 23-101, effective March 1, 2025). Disconnect notice sent when bill is past due; if no contact by disconnection date, service is disconnected. Company will only reconnect until 6:00 PM on the day of disconnection; reconnections requested after 6:00 PM are performed after 7:30 AM the next business day. Reconnection requires payment of bill plus a service/reconnection charge; specific dollar amount not accessible from primary source tariff PDFs during research (Pennichuck website 403 blocked; PUC-hosted tariff PDF also 403 blocked). Note on ownership: Pennichuck is city-owned (Nashua) but remains regulated by the NHPUC. Not for sale despite August 2025 statements by state officials (Nashua Mayor clarified). Medical emergency protections per Puc 1205 apply. Winter moratorium protections per Puc 1203.12 apply.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"N.H. Admin. Code Puc 1203.11, Disconnection of Service, via Cornell LII","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-hampshire/N-H-Admin-Code-SS-Puc-1203.11"}]},{"state_name":"New Jersey","state_code":"NJ","slug":"new-jersey-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":10,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 15–March 15 (Winter Termination Program, WTP): prevents disconnection of electric, gas, water, and sewer services for qualifying residential customers facing financial hardship. All WTP-eligible customers must enroll in a 12-month budget payment plan; utilities must consider ability to pay when setting plan terms. Covers income-qualified customers — not universal.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Valid medical emergency in the household prohibits disconnection on that day. No weekend or holiday shutoffs protect all customers. Medical emergency certification provides additional protection during non-moratorium periods.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"USF (Universal Service Fund) provides bill credits and arrearage management for low-income customers. NJ Lifeline program provides additional assistance to elderly and disabled residents. LIHEAP available through NJ DCA.","state_puc_url":"https://www.nj.gov/bpu","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":"Universal Service Fund (USF): $20-$200/month credit for income-eligible customers; USF Fresh Start erases arrears over $60. LIHEAP/HEAP: federal heating grant applied directly to bill (Oct 1-Jun 30 while funds last). NJ Lifeline: $225 annual credit for seniors 65+ or disabled (income-tested). Comfort Partners: free energy efficiency improvements for customers at or below 175% FPL. PAGE (Payment Assistance for Gas & Electric): grants for past-due accounts. NJ SHARES: emergency grants. REAP (Residential Energy Assistance Payment): seven $25 automatic credits, launched summer 2025.","name":"Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G)","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Northern and central New Jersey including Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, and surrounding areas; largest electric and gas utility in NJ","shutoff_rules_notes":"10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3); initial bill must be outstanding at least 20 days before notice is sent. Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday; hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon-Thu. Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible customers receiving LIHEAP, HEAP, TANF, SSI, PAAD, GA, USF, or Lifeline, plus customers self-certifying financial hardship, are protected from disconnection; customers must enroll annually and make good-faith payments. Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected if a valid medical emergency exists; physician statement can extend protection up to 2 months (recertification required after 30 days). Deferred payment plan available at least once per year. Budget billing available. BPU waived all residential reconnection fees Jul 1-Sep 30, 2025 (summer relief). Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C. 14:3.","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"NJ BPU Residential Utility Customer Protections / NJ PowerSwitch General Customer Rights","source_url":"https://nj.gov/njpowerswitch/rights/general/"},{"assistance_programs":"Universal Service Fund (USF): monthly bill credits for low-to-moderate income customers; USF Fresh Start erases past-due balances. LIHEAP/HEAP: heating and cooling grants. NJ Lifeline: $225 annual credit for eligible seniors and disabled. Comfort Partners: free energy efficiency upgrades for income-eligible customers (call 800-915-8309). PAGE: grants for customers with past-due balances or disconnection notices. NJ SHARES: emergency assistance grants (866-657-4273). Military Deferred Payment Program for families with active-duty members. Third-party notification available.","name":"Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L)","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$35.00 (at-meter reconnections); actual cost for reconnections that cannot be performed at the meter","service_area":"Central New Jersey including Ocean, Monmouth, Morris, Hunterdon, Somerset, and Middlesex counties; subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp","shutoff_rules_notes":"10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3). Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday; hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon-Thu. Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible and hardship-qualified customers are protected from disconnection; enrollment required annually. Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected if a valid medical emergency exists; physician statement extends protection up to 2 months (recertification after 30 days). At least one deferred payment plan per year. Field collection charge: $35.00 per collection visit. BPU waived reconnection fees Jul 1-Sep 30, 2025. Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C. 14:3.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Jersey Central Power & Light Company BPU No. 14 Electric Tariff, Part III","source_url":"https://www.firstenergycorp.com/content/dam/customer/Customer%20Choice/Files/New%20Jersey/tariffs/BPU14-Part-III-Eff-6-1-2025.pdf"},{"assistance_programs":"Universal Service Fund (USF): monthly credits to reduce bills for income-eligible customers; USF Fresh Start forgives arrears. LIHEAP/HEAP: federal heating and cooling grants. NJ Lifeline: $225 annual credit for eligible seniors and disabled. Comfort Partners: free energy efficiency program for income-eligible customers at or below 175% FPL. PAGE: grants for past-due accounts or disconnected customers. NJ SHARES: emergency energy assistance. $4 million ACE Customer Relief Fund (2025) for customers facing higher energy costs.","name":"Atlantic City Electric (ACE)","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Southern New Jersey including Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester, Camden, and Burlington counties; subsidiary of PPL Corporation (formerly Exelon)","shutoff_rules_notes":"10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3). Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday; hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon-Thu. Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible and hardship-qualified customers are protected from disconnection; annual enrollment required. Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected during a valid medical emergency; physician statement can extend protection up to 2 months. At least one deferred payment plan per year. BPU waived reconnection fees for all four investor-owned EDCs Jul 1-Sep 30, 2025. Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C. 14:3.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3, Notice of discontinuance for nonpayment, via Cornell LII","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-14-3-3A-3"},{"assistance_programs":"Universal Service Fund (USF): monthly credits for income-eligible NJ customers. NJ Lifeline: $225 annual credit for eligible seniors and disabled. LIHEAP/HEAP: federal heating/cooling grants. SHARES: emergency energy bill grants. PAGE: grants for past-due or disconnected accounts. NJ Comfort Partners: free energy efficiency improvements for low-income customers. Budget billing, payment agreements, Get Well First (extended dates during hospital stays).","name":"Rockland Electric Company (RECO)","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Northwestern New Jersey; Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties; subsidiary of Orange and Rockland Utilities / Consolidated Edison","shutoff_rules_notes":"10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3). Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday; hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon-Thu. Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible and hardship-qualified customers protected from disconnection; annual enrollment required. Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected during a valid medical emergency; physician statement extends protection up to 2 months. At least one deferred payment plan per year. Included in BPU-approved waiver of reconnection fees Jul 1-Sep 30, 2025 as one of the four NJ investor-owned EDCs. Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C. 14:3. Note: O&R does NOT serve natural gas customers in NJ — Rockland Electric is electric-only in New Jersey.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3, Notice of discontinuance for nonpayment, via Cornell LII","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-14-3-3A-3"},{"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP: federal heating assistance (members self-report enrollment to SREC — cooperative is not notified directly). Lifeline: $225 annual credit for eligible seniors and disabled. NJ 2-1-1 referrals. Payment arrangements available through Member Services (973-875-5101, Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm). Norwescap (Sussex County): 37 Main Street, Sussex, NJ, 973-862-6680. Family Promise of Sussex County: 19 Church Street, Newton, NJ, 973-579-1180.","name":"Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative (SREC)","notice_days":null,"reconnection_fee":"$20.00 (reconnection after disconnection for delinquency); $50.00 (after-hours transfer, reconnection, or new service fee); $200.00 (fee to reestablish service within 12 months of a member-requested or nonpayment account closure)","service_area":"Northwestern corner of Sussex County, New Jersey; NJ's only rural electric cooperative; operational as of May 2026","shutoff_rules_notes":"Sussex REC is NOT regulated by the NJ BPU - it operates as a cooperative under its own bylaws and tariff. Section 4.08 of the filed tariff sets a $20.00 reconnection fee for consumers disconnected for delinquency, a $50.00 after-hours fee for transfers, reconnections, or new service outside normal business hours, and a $200.00 fee to reestablish service within 12 months of a member-requested disconnection or a nonpayment account closure. The current tariff's copy of this page (Sheet No. 11) fails to extract text from the utility's own site, so this pass could not confirm whether a later revision changed these amounts; the $425.00 figure previously shown here for the 12-month fee does not appear in any accessible copy of the tariff and has been corrected to the $200.00 this source states, pending a readable current version. The cooperative does recognize the NJ Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15) for income-eligible members, but members must self-enroll and notify SREC of LIHEAP acceptance (LIHEAP providers do not notify SREC directly). Members who are LIHEAP recipients are 'subject to being disconnected even during the Winter Moratorium' if they fail to notify SREC and make good-faith payments. Notice period before disconnection for nonpayment not confirmed from primary source. Contact 973-875-5101 to arrange payment plans.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Sussex Rural Electric Cooperative Tariff for Electric Service, Section 4.08 (Third Revised Sheet No. 11, effective May 1, 2013, as compiled in the October 1, 2019 tariff)","source_url":"https://www.sussexrec.com/sites/srec/files/PDFs/Tariff%20October%201%202019.pdf"}],"gas_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":"Universal Service Fund (USF): $20-$200/month credit for income-eligible customers; USF Fresh Start erases arrears over $60. LIHEAP/HEAP: federal heating grant. NJ Lifeline: $225 annual credit for seniors and disabled. Comfort Partners: free energy efficiency improvements for customers at or below 175% FPL. PAGE: grants for past-due accounts. NJ SHARES: emergency grants. REAP: seven $25 automatic credits, launched summer 2025.","name":"Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G)","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Northern and central New Jersey including Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, and surrounding areas; natural gas distribution overlaps with PSE&G electric territory","shutoff_rules_notes":"10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3); initial bill must be outstanding at least 20 days before notice is sent. Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday; hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon-Thu. Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible customers receiving LIHEAP, HEAP, TANF, SSI, PAAD, GA, USF, or Lifeline, plus customers self-certifying financial hardship, are protected from disconnection; customers must enroll annually and make good-faith payments. Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected if a valid medical emergency exists; physician statement can extend protection up to 2 months (recertification required after 30 days). Deferred payment plan available at least once per year. Budget billing available. Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C. 14:3.","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"NJ BPU Residential Utility Customer Protections / NJ PowerSwitch General Customer Rights","source_url":"https://nj.gov/njpowerswitch/rights/general/"},{"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP: federal heating grants averaging $300 applied to bill (Oct 1-Jun 30). Emergency LIHEAP: up to $800 additional grant for recipients with shut-off notice or $300+ past due (Mar 16-Jun 30). USF: $20-$200/month credits; maximum $2,400/year; up to 60% of state median income eligible. USF Fresh Start: arrears forgiveness. NJ Lifeline: $225 annual grant for seniors 65+/disabled 18-64. Comfort Partners: free home energy improvements. SAVEGREEN: up to $14,000 in efficiency upgrades for moderate-income homeowners. SHARES: up to $700-$500 per utility for reconnection or continuance. Gift of Warmth: one-time grant up to $500 for financial hardship. Flexible payment plans (no-interest, installments).","name":"New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG)","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, Morris, Burlington, and Mercer counties; subsidiary of New Jersey Resources","shutoff_rules_notes":"10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3). Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday; hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon-Thu. Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible and hardship-qualified customers protected from disconnection; annual enrollment required. Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected during a valid medical emergency; physician statement extends protection up to 2 months. At least one deferred payment plan per year. Note: NJNG's website disconnection page covers customer-initiated physical disconnection (road opening, 6-8 week process) not nonpayment; specific reconnection fee for nonpayment not confirmed from primary source. Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C. 14:3.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3, Notice of discontinuance for nonpayment, via Cornell LII","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-14-3-3A-3"},{"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP: federal heating grants averaging $300 applied to bill. Emergency LIHEAP: up to $800 additional grant. USF: $20-$200/month credits for income-eligible customers; USF Fresh Start erases arrears. Lifeline Assistance: $225 for eligible seniors and SSI recipients. NJ SHARES: emergency grants up to $500-$700 per utility. PAGE: grants for past-due or disconnected accounts. NJ Comfort Partners: free energy efficiency program for qualified low-income customers. Free home weatherization for income-qualified residents.","name":"South Jersey Gas (SJG)","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Southern New Jersey; Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, and portions of Ocean and Hunterdon counties; subsidiary of South Jersey Industries (SJI)","shutoff_rules_notes":"10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3). Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday; hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon-Thu. Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible and hardship-qualified customers protected from disconnection; annual enrollment required. Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected during a valid medical emergency. At least one deferred payment plan per year. Note: the $45 disconnect/reconnect fee cited on SJG's website applies to construction-related physical disconnections (house raisings, demolitions), not nonpayment reconnections; specific nonpayment reconnection fee not confirmed from primary source. Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C. 14:3.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3, Notice of discontinuance for nonpayment, via Cornell LII","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-14-3-3A-3"},{"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP: federal heating grants averaging $300. Emergency LIHEAP: up to $800 additional grant (Mar 16-Jun 30). USF: $20-$200/month credits; USF Fresh Start erases arrears over $60. Lifeline: $225 annual credit for eligible seniors and SSI recipients. NJ SHARES: emergency energy bill grants. PAGE: grants for past-due or disconnected accounts. NJ Comfort Partners: free energy efficiency improvements. HomeServe Cares: emergency repair assistance for qualifying homeowners. Free home weatherization for income-qualified customers.","name":"Elizabethtown Gas","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$30.00 to turn on or restore service after suspension or discontinuance; a separate $15.00 charge applies for a collection visit, and up to $200.00 if a curb box must be installed to terminate service","service_area":"Union, Middlesex, Sussex, Warren, Hunterdon, Morris, and Mercer counties; over 300,000 customers; subsidiary of South Jersey Industries (SJI); operates under its own Elizabethtown Gas brand (not rebranded to South Jersey Gas)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Elizabethtown Gas may discontinue service for nonpayment where the amount owed is more than $100 and more than three months delinquent, after giving the customer at least 10 days' written notice of its intent to discontinue (Tariff B.P.U. No. 19, Section 7). Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday; hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon-Thu. Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible and hardship-qualified customers protected from disconnection; annual enrollment required. Medical emergency protection: service cannot be disconnected during a valid medical emergency. At least one deferred payment plan per year. Reconnection and Collection Charges (Section 11.01): $30.00 to turn on or restore service after suspension or discontinuance for nonpayment; a separate $15.00 charge when the company makes a collection visit; up to $200.00 when termination required installing a curb box. The $15.00 figure previously shown here as the reconnection fee was actually the tariff's service-establishment charge for a new or transferred account, not the nonpayment reconnection charge, and has been corrected. Elizabethtown Gas continues to operate as a distinct brand under parent SJI alongside South Jersey Gas; it has not been merged into or rebranded as SJG. Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C. 14:3 and Tariff B.P.U. No. 19.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Elizabethtown Gas Company Tariff for Gas Service, B.P.U. No. 19","source_url":"https://www.elizabethtowngas.com/ElizabethtownGas/media/PDF/Regulatory%20Info/Elizabethtown-Gas-TARIFF-NO-19.pdf?ver=20260402"}],"water_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":"H2O Help to Others Program (administered by SHARES): up to $500 per application for customers at or below 300% FPL; available once every three years. Universal Affordability Discount: tiered discounts of 15-60% on fixed service charges and usage fees for customers at or below 200% FPL. LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program): NJ state program for customers at or below 60% of state median income. LIHEAP Emergency: can cover water bill arrears. NJ 2-1-1 for referrals. Budget billing and payment arrangements (call 1-800-272-1325). Medical need certification: up to 3 months service continuance (call 1-855-669-8753).","name":"New Jersey American Water","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$350.00 minimum (company's actual cost of reconnection, or $350.00, whichever is more) after physical disconnection for nonpayment or violation of service terms","service_area":"Largest investor-owned water utility in NJ; serves municipalities in 17 of 21 counties statewide; subsidiary of American Water Works (AWK)","shutoff_rules_notes":"10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3). Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday; hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon-Thu. Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible customers receiving HEAP, TANF, SSI, PAAD, GA, USF, or Lifeline, or those self-certifying financial hardship, are protected from disconnection. Medical need certification: physician statement provides up to 3 months service continuance. At least one deferred payment plan per year. Reconnection fee ($350 minimum) must be paid before service is restored after physical disconnection for nonpayment. Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C. 14:3 and Tariff B.P.U. No. 8.","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"NJ American Water - Rights & Responsibilities / H2O Help to Others / Tariff B.P.U. No. 8","source_url":"https://amwater.com/njaw/customer-service-billing/rights-responsibilities"},{"assistance_programs":"LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program): state program for households at or below 60% of state median income. LIHEAP Emergency: can be applied to water bill arrears. NJ 2-1-1 for referrals. Budget billing available. Payment arrangements available (call 800-549-3802). Service restored within 24 hours of full payment receipt.","name":"Middlesex Water Company","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$28.00","service_area":"Eastern Middlesex County and portions of Union County; serves approximately 62,000 customers in Carteret, Edison, Metuchen, South Amboy, South Plainfield, Woodbridge (Middlesex County), and Clark Township (Union County); independent publicly traded company (NYSE: MSEX)","shutoff_rules_notes":"10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3). Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday; hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon-Thu. Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible customers are protected from disconnection. Medical emergency protection applies. Reconnection: customer must pay entire past-due balance plus $28.00 reconnection fee; service restored within 24 hours of payment. At least one deferred payment plan per year. Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C. 14:3 and Tariff B.P.U. No. 1.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Middlesex Water Company Tariff for Water and Wastewater Service, B.P.U. No. 1 (Rate Schedule No. 4, Miscellaneous Service Charges)","source_url":"https://www.middlesexwater.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/MWC-Tariff-Rates-Consolidated-NJ-Effective-February-23-2026-Base-RatesClean2-7.pdf"},{"assistance_programs":"SUEZ Cares (now branded Veolia Cares): grants to pay water bills for households in financial crisis — applicants must be customers with service established and have paid at least $20 on account in last 90 days; call 888-942-8080. LIHWAP: state program for households at or below 60% of state median income. LIHEAP Emergency: can be applied to water arrears. NJ 2-1-1 for referrals. Budget billing and payment arrangements available.","name":"Veolia Water New Jersey (formerly Suez Water New Jersey)","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Primarily Bergen and Hudson counties; serves approximately one million residents in municipalities including Hackensack, Teaneck, Fort Lee, Fair Lawn, Paramus, Englewood, Hoboken, Secaucus, Union City, and surrounding communities; formerly United Water NJ / Suez Water NJ; rebranded to Veolia in 2022 after Veolia-Suez merger","shutoff_rules_notes":"10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3). Disconnection prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, NJ State holidays, or the day before a holiday; hours restricted to 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon-Thu. Winter Termination Program (Nov 15-Mar 15): income-eligible customers are protected from disconnection; customers must notify company and enroll. Medical emergency protection applies. At least one deferred payment plan per year. Specific reconnection fee not confirmed from primary source — tariff PDFs (B.P.U. No. 1) were inaccessible/unreadable during research. Regulated by NJ BPU under N.J.A.C. 14:3. Brand name: company operates as 'Veolia Water New Jersey Inc.' in BPU filings since 2022; some local references still use 'Suez Water.'","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.3, Notice of discontinuance for nonpayment, via Cornell LII","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-14-3-3A-3"}]},{"state_name":"New Mexico","state_code":"NM","slug":"new-mexico-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":15,"gas_notice_days":15,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 15–March 15 (Heating Season Shut-Off Protection): utilities cannot disconnect residential customers who meet LIHEAP qualifications AND either have no past-due charges as of November 15, OR are on an installment/settlement agreement and remain current on payments. Utilities must receive PRC approval for exceptions.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certification postpones disconnection. PRC rules protect households where loss of service would create a medical emergency.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP administered by New Mexico HSD. PNM Heating Season Shut-Off Protection explicitly tied to LIHEAP qualification. New Mexico has strong income-based protections integrated into the moratorium framework.","state_puc_url":"https://www.prc.nm.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-22","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Public Service Company of New Mexico","service_area":"Central and northern New Mexico, including Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and the Santa Fe area","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"PNM is an electric utility subject to NMPRC jurisdiction, so it is bound by 17.5.410 NMAC. Discontinuance for nonpayment of a delinquent account falls under 17.5.410.31(B)(1), which requires the 15-day written notice specified in 17.5.410.33(A), followed by a final reminder contact at least 2 days before the actual disconnection date (17.5.410.33(B)). (A separate 3-day notice under 17.5.410.31(C) applies only to different grounds - refused access, rule violations, fraudulent certifications - not ordinary nonpayment.) Reconnection charges may not exceed actual cost and no less than the tariff minimum (17.5.410.14(D)); no fixed statewide dollar figure exists and PNM's specific tariff was not fetched in this pass.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (low-income home energy assistance program), defined at 17.5.410.7(L) as administered by the NM Human Services Department or a tribal/pueblo entity under NMSA 1978 Section 27-6-18.1. The rule ties LIHEAP certification to winter moratorium protection (17.5.410.30) and to relief from cash deposits (17.5.410.16(B)) and installment-agreement terms (17.5.410.40(B)).","source_url":"https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title17/17.005.0410.html","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"N.M. Admin. Code 17.5.410.31, .33, .14, .7(L) (New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, Rules for Discontinuance of Utility Service)"},{"name":"El Paso Electric","service_area":"Southern New Mexico (Las Cruces, Alamogordo, Silver City area)","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"El Paso Electric's New Mexico service is subject to the same statewide NMPRC rule, 17.5.410 NMAC, that governs all electric, gas, and rural electric cooperative utilities under NMPRC jurisdiction. Nonpayment disconnection requires the 15-day notice under 17.5.410.33(A) (per the cross-reference in 17.5.410.31(B)(1)), plus a final contact at least 2 days before shutoff (17.5.410.33(B)). EPE's own New Mexico tariff pages returned 404 when checked directly, so the reconnection fee is left null rather than guessed; 17.5.410.14(D) caps it at actual cost with a tariff-set minimum, not a statewide figure.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP, defined and referenced throughout 17.5.410 NMAC (see 17.5.410.7(L), .16(B), .30, .40(B)); administered by NM HSD or a tribal/pueblo entity.","source_url":"https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title17/17.005.0410.html","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"N.M. Admin. Code 17.5.410.31, .33, .14, .7(L)"},{"name":"Xcel Energy New Mexico","service_area":"Southeastern New Mexico, including Roswell, Clovis, Hobbs, Carlsbad, and Portales","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Corrected service area: this entity (Southwestern Public Service Company, an Xcel Energy subsidiary) serves southeastern New Mexico -- Roswell, Clovis, Hobbs, Carlsbad, Portales. Las Vegas, NM is PNM territory, not SPS's; the prior draft's 'eastern New Mexico (Las Vegas, Clayton area)' description was wrong. This entity operates in NM as Southwestern Public Service Company (SPS), a Xcel Energy subsidiary and NMPRC-jurisdictional electric utility, so it is bound by 17.5.410 NMAC like other NM electric utilities. Nonpayment disconnection requires 15 days' written notice (17.5.410.31(B)(1) and .33(A)) plus a final reminder at least 2 days before shutoff (17.5.410.33(B)). Reconnection charges are tariff-specific and capped at actual cost under 17.5.410.14(D); no statewide figure exists and SPS's own tariff was not fetched in this pass.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP, defined and referenced throughout 17.5.410 NMAC (17.5.410.7(L), .16(B), .30, .40(B)); administered by NM HSD or a tribal/pueblo entity.","source_url":"https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title17/17.005.0410.html","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"N.M. Admin. Code 17.5.410.31, .33, .14, .7(L)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"New Mexico Gas Company","service_area":"in August 2026, and the utility continues operating under the New Mexico Gas Company name","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"New Mexico Gas Company is an NMPRC-jurisdictional gas utility bound by 17.5.410 NMAC. Its August 2026 change of ownership (from Emera Inc. to Bernhard Capital Partners) left this rule, and the company's name, unaffected. Nonpayment disconnection requires 15 days' written notice per 17.5.410.31(B)(1) and .33(A), followed by a final reminder at least 2 days before shutoff (17.5.410.33(B)). Reconnection charges are capped at actual cost with a tariff-set minimum under 17.5.410.14(D); no fixed statewide dollar figure exists and NMGC's specific tariff was not fetched in this pass.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP, defined and referenced throughout 17.5.410 NMAC (17.5.410.7(L), .16(B), .30, .40(B)); administered by NM HSD or a tribal/pueblo entity.","source_url":"https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title17/17.005.0410.html","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"N.M. Admin. Code 17.5.410.31, .33, .14, .7(L)"},{"name":"Southwest Gas New Mexico","service_area":"Limited areas of southern New Mexico","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Southwest Gas's New Mexico territory is NMPRC-jurisdictional and bound by 17.5.410 NMAC. Nonpayment disconnection requires 15 days' written notice (17.5.410.31(B)(1), .33(A)) plus a final reminder at least 2 days before shutoff (17.5.410.33(B)). Reconnection charges are tariff-set and capped at actual cost under 17.5.410.14(D); Southwest Gas's specific NM tariff was not fetched in this pass, so no dollar figure is recorded.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP, defined and referenced throughout 17.5.410 NMAC (17.5.410.7(L), .16(B), .30, .40(B)); administered by NM HSD or a tribal/pueblo entity.","source_url":"https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title17/17.005.0410.html","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"N.M. Admin. Code 17.5.410.31, .33, .14, .7(L)"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority","service_area":"Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, and surrounding areas","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Corrected: ABCWUA is statutorily NOT regulated by the NMPRC - NMSA 1978 Section 72-1-10 creates the Authority and expressly exempts it from NMPRC jurisdiction and the Public Utility Act (confirmed in Albuquerque Bernalillo Cty. Water Util. Auth. v. NMPRC, NM Supreme Ct. 2010), so 17.5.410 NMAC (water is excluded from its scope anyway) and NMPRC generally do not apply. The Authority's own Water and Sewer Rate Ordinance Section 1-1-15 governs instead: an account becomes eligible for disconnection once unpaid for 30 days from the bill due date (Sec. 1-1-15(A)), and the Authority must send written notice at least 10 calendar days before actually terminating service, with a right to an administrative hearing (Sec. 1-1-15(B)-(C); $50 nonrefundable hearing fee under Sec. 1-1-15(F)). Separately, per abcwua.org's own online-services page (not the ordinance itself), same-day restoration after a nonpayment shutoff requires the payment and turn-on request to be submitted before 2:00pm MT, or restoration happens the next business day.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Per ABCWUA's own site (abcwua.org/customer-service-help-for-low-income-customers/): Low Income Credit (LIC) program - up to $33.05/month bill credit for homeowners (annual renewal required); and Water Assistance Fund (WAF) Grants - one-time grant up to $200 for homeowners or tenants who have received a turn-off notice for a past-due balance. Both are administered by The Storehouse and Rio Grande Food Project, not by ABCWUA directly.","source_url":"https://www.abcwua.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Section-1-Water-and-Sewer-Rate-Ordinance-Appendices-Added.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"ABCWUA Water and Sewer Rate Ordinance Sec. 1-1-15 (Discontinuance of Service; Hearing); abcwua.org Help for Low Income Customers page and Online Services page (same-day restoration deadline)"}]},{"state_name":"New York","state_code":"NY","slug":"new-york-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":15,"gas_notice_days":15,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–April 15: Home Energy Fair Practices Act (HEFPA) provides protections to all residential consumers (not income-limited) including elderly, blind, disabled, and medical emergency households. Holiday moratorium: no shutoffs during the two-week period encompassing Christmas and New Year's Day. Residential service cannot be terminated on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, or public holidays.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical emergency is a full protection under HEFPA — utilities cannot disconnect. Customers with medical emergencies must notify utility; protections apply to serious and life-threatening conditions.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) / LIHEAP available through OTDA. NY utilities offer Low Income discount rates and arrearage management programs. ConEd and National Grid offer Deferred Payment Agreements. New York's HEFPA gives residential customers some of the strongest statutory protections of any state.","state_puc_url":"https://dps.ny.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.","service_area":"New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island) and Westchester County","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under HEFPA as codified at 16 NYCRR 11.4, 'no utility shall terminate or disconnect service under this Part until at least 15 days after a final notice of termination or disconnection', and 'a utility may not issue or send a final notice of termination or disconnection unless at least 20 days have elapsed from the date payment was due'. Under HEFPA and 16 NYCRR Part 11, Con Edison must wait 20 days after the due date before issuing a Final Termination Notice; once issued, the customer has 15 days to resolve the balance before disconnection. Disconnections are limited to 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Thursday and suspended during the two-week holiday window (Dec 17–Jan 2) and during extreme cold or heat events. Customers enrolled in the Energy Affordability Program (EAP) are not charged a reconnection fee as of February 1, 2026; HEAP, Direct Vendor, and SSI recipients also have the reconnection fee waived. The Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP), launched January 13, 2026, extends monthly bill credits to households below 100% area median income. The company's own rights page could not be retrieved when this was checked, so the citation is to the rule that binds it.","reconnection_fee":"Waived for EAP/HEAP/Direct Vendor/SSI customers; standard fee not confirmed in published sources","assistance_programs":"Energy Affordability Program (EAP), Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP), HEAP, CONCERN Program, Medical Emergency Relief","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/16-NYCRR-11.4","source_date":"2026-09-20","source_title":"16 NYCRR 11.4, Final notice and termination of residential gas, electric and steam service (HEFPA), via Cornell LII"},{"name":"National Grid (Niagara Mohawk — Upstate NY Electric)","service_area":"Upstate New York including Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo, and surrounding regions","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under HEFPA, a Final Termination Notice cannot be issued until at least 20 days after the payment due date; the customer then has 15 additional days to resolve the balance. Heat-related service cannot be disconnected November 1–April 15 without first attempting personal contact at least 72 hours prior. Disconnections occur only 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Thursday and are suspended during the Dec 17–Jan 2 holiday window. EAP and EEAP discounts are available to income-eligible customers below state median income.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Energy Affordability Program (EAP), Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP), HEAP","source_url":"https://www.nationalgridus.com/Upstate-NY-Home/reconnect","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"Help with Service Reconnect | National Grid Upstate NY"},{"name":"New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG)","service_area":"Central and western New York, southern tier, Hudson Valley, and parts of the North Country","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under HEFPA as codified at 16 NYCRR 11.4, 'no utility shall terminate or disconnect service under this Part until at least 15 days after a final notice of termination or disconnection', and 'a utility may not issue or send a final notice of termination or disconnection unless at least 20 days have elapsed from the date payment was due'. NYSEG follows HEFPA rules: Final Termination Notice may not be issued until 20 days after the due date, followed by a 15-day cure period. No disconnections on Fridays, weekends, public holidays, or the day before a holiday. Heat-related service is protected November 1–April 15 with required personal contact attempts before termination. NYSEG offers the Energy Affordability Program (EAP) with credits continuing through November 30, 2026 for enrolled HEAP recipients. The company's own rights page could not be retrieved when this was checked, so the citation is to the rule that binds it.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Energy Affordability Program (EAP), Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP), HEAP, Project SHARE","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/16-NYCRR-11.4","source_date":"2026-09-20","source_title":"16 NYCRR 11.4, Final notice and termination of residential gas, electric and steam service (HEFPA), via Cornell LII"},{"name":"PSEG Long Island","service_area":"Nassau County, Suffolk County, and the Rockaways (Queens)","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"As operator for the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), PSEG Long Island follows HEFPA: Final Termination Notice sent no earlier than 20 days after due date, then 15 days to resolve. Service is reconnected within 24 hours of payment or payment agreement. A reconnection charge of $80.00 applies; customers are assessed the same $80.00 fee if they terminate service and reapply at the same premises within 12 months. Heat-related service is protected November 1–April 15 and disconnections are suspended Dec 17–Jan 2. Medical emergency certificate provides 30-day protection, renewable with written physician explanation.","reconnection_fee":"$80.00","assistance_programs":"Energy Affordability Program (EAP), Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP), HEAP","source_url":"https://www.lipower.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/LIPA-Tariff-January-2025.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Long Island Power Authority Tariff for Electric Service (January 2025)"},{"name":"Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc.","service_area":"Rockland and Orange counties in New York; also serves parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under HEFPA as codified at 16 NYCRR 11.4, 'no utility shall terminate or disconnect service under this Part until at least 15 days after a final notice of termination or disconnection', and 'a utility may not issue or send a final notice of termination or disconnection unless at least 20 days have elapsed from the date payment was due'. Orange and Rockland follows HEFPA and 16 NYCRR Part 11: Final Termination Notice may not be sent until 20 days after the payment due date, after which the customer has 15 days to pay or enter a payment agreement. Disconnections are limited to 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Thursday and suspended during the Dec 17–Jan 2 holiday window. All residential customers with heat-related service are protected from disconnection November 1–April 15. The company does not charge a reconnection fee to electric customers whose service is reconnected remotely via AMI smart meter technology. The company's own rights page could not be retrieved when this was checked, so the citation is to the rule that binds it.","reconnection_fee":"Waived for AMI remote reconnect; fee may apply for manual reconnect (amount not confirmed)","assistance_programs":"Energy Affordability Program (EAP), Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP), HEAP","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/16-NYCRR-11.4","source_date":"2026-09-20","source_title":"16 NYCRR 11.4, Final notice and termination of residential gas, electric and steam service (HEFPA), via Cornell LII"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Gas)","service_area":"Manhattan, the Bronx, and parts of Westchester County","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under HEFPA as codified at 16 NYCRR 11.4, 'no utility shall terminate or disconnect service under this Part until at least 15 days after a final notice of termination or disconnection', and 'a utility may not issue or send a final notice of termination or disconnection unless at least 20 days have elapsed from the date payment was due'. Con Edison's own Rights and Responsibilities booklet confirms the same framework for gas: heat-related service is not disconnected November 1-April 15 without trying to contact an adult in the household, and if loss of service would be a health or safety problem, service continues at least 15 days while a payment plan is arranged. Disconnections for nonpayment occur 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. New York utilities also observe an annual multi-week suspension of terminations spanning the December holidays; dps.ny.gov, which publishes the exact dates each year, returns 403 to this pipeline, so no specific date range is asserted here. Con Edison's EAP includes a reconnection-fee waiver for customers whose service is restored during an in-person field visit, confirmed in its 2023-2024 Annual Energy Affordability Policy Report filed with the PSC, with separate annual budget caps of $1,662,592 for electric and $75,000 for gas; the row previously stated this waiver was 'effective February 1, 2026,' but that date belongs to an unrelated EAP bill-discount rate table on coned.com and has been removed as unsupported.","reconnection_fee":"Waived for EAP/HEAP/Direct Vendor/SSI customers; standard fee not confirmed in published sources","assistance_programs":"Energy Affordability Program (EAP), Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP), HEAP, Medical Emergency Relief","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/16-NYCRR-11.4","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"16 NYCRR 11.4, Final notice and termination of residential gas, electric and steam service (HEFPA), via Cornell LII"},{"name":"National Grid (KeySpan — NYC Gas)","service_area":"Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, and parts of Long Island (gas distribution)","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Under HEFPA as codified at 16 NYCRR 11.4, 'no utility shall terminate or disconnect service under this Part until at least 15 days after a final notice of termination or disconnection', and 'a utility may not issue or send a final notice of termination or disconnection unless at least 20 days have elapsed from the date payment was due'. National Grid's own 'Your Rights as a National Grid Residential Customer New York City' booklet confirms the same framework: heat-related gas service is not shut off November 1-April 15 without first trying to contact an adult in the household, and service continues at least 15 days when loss of service would threaten health or safety. Elderly, blind, or disabled customers enrolled in National Grid's Special Protections get a phone or in-person contact attempt at least 72 hours before shutoff; that 72-hour window is a Special Protections benefit, not a rule covering every heat customer, which is how this row previously described it. A reconnection fee applies; it is higher outside 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) or when the work requires access to a pole or the street rather than the meter, but the booklet states no dollar amount. New York utilities also observe an annual multi-week suspension of terminations spanning the December holidays; dps.ny.gov, which publishes the exact dates each year, returns 403 to this pipeline, so no specific date range is asserted here.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Energy Affordability Program (EAP), Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP), HEAP","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/16-NYCRR-11.4","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"16 NYCRR 11.4, Final notice and termination of residential gas, electric and steam service (HEFPA), via Cornell LII"},{"name":"National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (NY Division)","service_area":"Western New York including Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and surrounding areas","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"National Fuel Gas follows HEFPA: a Final Disconnection Notice must be received before service is terminated, and the utility may not disconnect until after the notice period has elapsed (20 days from due date, then 15 days from notice). Service will not be disconnected November 1–April 15 unless National Fuel has made an effort to personally contact the customer. A charge to restore service exists but the specific dollar amount is not published on the consumer-facing site. Customers who fail to provide meter access are subject to a $100 non-access fee.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"HEAP, Budget Plan, Deferred Payment Agreement","source_url":"https://www.nationalfuel.com/residential-rights-and-responsibilities/","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"Residential Rights and Responsibilities | National Fuel Gas Company"},{"name":"Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation (Gas)","service_area":"Hudson Valley counties: Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Orange, Greene, Columbia, and Putnam","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Central Hudson bills are overdue 23 days after mailing (confirmed directly in this filing). Its own 'Final Termination Notice' language in the same filing states customers get 'eight additional days to pay your bill or arrange for payment' once that notice is sent, which reads shorter than the statewide 15-day-after-final-notice floor set by 16 NYCRR 11.4 (HEFPA); this pipeline could not resolve whether that phrase describes a separate, earlier notice stage or is imprecise wording, so notice_days stays at 15, the confirmed statutory minimum, rather than adopting the shorter, ambiguous company figure. Disconnections for nonpayment occur 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday. No shutoff Nov 1-Apr 15 for heat-related accounts without an attempt at personal contact; if disconnection would threaten health or safety, service continues at least 15 days while a payment plan is arranged. Central Hudson's Good Neighbor Fund provides last-resort grants of up to twice the monthly bill, capped at $650, to customers who have exhausted other assistance; this program is documented on cenhud.com, which this pipeline could not fetch (blocked by Incapsula bot protection), so it is included on the strength of consistent third-party citations rather than a page this pipeline read directly. EAP participants get reconnection fees waived, confirmed as a tracked metric in Central Hudson's EAP filings with the PSC.","reconnection_fee":"$50.00 plus tax during normal business hours (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon-Fri, excluding holidays) when restored at the meter; $100.00 plus tax at other times; $180.00 plus tax (business hours) or $260.00 plus tax (other times) if a line or gas crew is required to restore service. Waived for EAP participants under Central Hudson's reconnect-fee-waiver benefit.","assistance_programs":"Energy Affordability Program (EAP), HEAP, Good Neighbor Fund (grants up to $650), EmPower+ Program","source_url":"https://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/Common/ViewDoc.aspx?DocRefId=%7BD0BB9A8E-0000-C22C-BADF-833F528F5BA7%7D","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, Outreach & Education Plan 2024 (filed with NY DPS)"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP)","service_area":"New York City's five boroughs (serves 9+ million people)","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"NYC DEP sends a Water Shut Off Notice giving 15 days to pay the full balance or enter a payment agreement (minimum 25% down payment required). If service is shut off, customers must pay 100% of the outstanding balance plus a $1,000 restoration fee to have water restored; enrollment in a PromisePay plan alone does not restore service. Exemptions from shutoff are available for customers with a significant medical condition, those age 62 or older, those with a disability, or households with children under age 6. NYC DEP is not regulated by the NY PSC; HEFPA does not apply.","reconnection_fee":"$1,000","assistance_programs":"Payment agreements (25% down), medical/age/disability exemptions","source_url":"https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/211-24/mayor-adams-demands-water-bill-dodgers-pay-debt-risk-losing-water-access","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Mayor Adams Demands Water Bill Dodgers Pay Debt or Risk Losing Water Access — NYC Mayor's Office"},{"name":"Veolia Water New York Inc. (formerly SUEZ Water New York)","service_area":"Westchester County and portions of Rockland County","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Veolia's PSC No. 1 tariff sets late payment charges starting 23 days after the bill is mailed, and discontinuance follows 16 NYCRR Section 14.4, which bars physical termination until at least 15 calendar days after a final termination notice is given personally to the customer (18 days if mailed). Restore Charge (Service Classification No. 8(e)) applies whenever water has been physically turned off for nonpayment or at the customer's request: $90.00 during normal business hours, $120.00 outside normal business hours on weekdays, $150.00 on weekends or holidays. Customers enrolled in Veolia's Water Affordability Program (WAP) receive a one-time annual waiver of the reconnection fee. The row previously cited a documents.dps.ny.gov record for NY PSC Case 23-W-0111, but that record is a public statement hearing transcript, not the tariff, and never states these figures. mywater.veolia.us disallows automated agents in robots.txt, so an automated re-check of this citation will show as blocked even though the tariff is a normal public PDF reachable by anyone opening the link directly; no PSC-hosted mirror of this specific tariff sheet was found.","reconnection_fee":"$90.00 during normal business hours; $120.00 outside normal business hours on weekdays; $150.00 weekends or holidays (waived once annually for Water Affordability Program participants)","assistance_programs":"Veolia Water Affordability Program (WAP), PromisePay payment plans, HEAP, Medicaid/SNAP/SSI cross-enrollment","source_url":"https://mywater.veolia.us/sites/default/files/2024-07/vwnypscno1watertariffeffectivejuly12th2024.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Veolia Water New York Inc., P.S.C. No. 1 - Water Tariff"},{"name":"Aqua New York (Essential Utilities — NY)","service_area":"Long Island, Westchester, and other scattered upstate New York communities","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Private water utilities regulated by the New York PSC must provide written notice before termination and are prohibited from disconnecting service where serious health risks exist; the standard PSC framework requires at minimum 15 days after a final notice before shutoff can occur. Specific reconnection fees and income thresholds vary by individual utility's PSC-approved tariff. HEFPA does not apply to water utilities, but PSC rules provide similar baseline protections.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"HEAP (for customers using water-heating fuel), individual utility low-income programs per PSC tariff","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-york/16-NYCRR-14.4","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"16 NYCRR § 14.4, Termination of residential service, via Cornell LII"}]},{"state_name":"North Carolina","state_code":"NC","slug":"north-carolina-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–March 31: utilities cannot disconnect service to households that include a person with a disability or someone age 65+, who are unable to pay under an installment plan, AND who are certified by a local social services agency as eligible for energy assistance. Not universal — requires specific household conditions plus social services certification.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Electric and gas companies must maintain a list of households with special medical needs (e.g., life support equipment). 24-hour re-contact required before actual disconnection. Medical conditions provide postponement protection.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"Duke Energy and Dominion Energy NC operate Customer Assistance programs. LIHEAP / LIEAP available through NC DHHS. NCUC requires payment plan options before disconnection.","state_puc_url":"https://www.ncuc.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Duke Energy Carolinas","service_area":"Western NC and Charlotte metro; includes Mecklenburg, Gaston, Lincoln, Catawba, Iredell, Rowan, Cabarrus, and surrounding Piedmont counties","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"NC NCUC Rule R12-11 requires minimum 10 days written notice before disconnection for nonpayment, plus utility must attempt telephone or in-person contact at least 24 hours before actual shutoff. No disconnections on Fridays, weekends, state or federal holidays, or the day before a holiday. Winter moratorium Nov 1–Mar 31: disconnection prohibited if household includes member age 65+ or handicapped, customer cannot pay under installment plan, and customer is certified by local DSS as eligible for energy assistance. Utilities must maintain medical list for households with seriously ill, handicapped, or life-support-dependent residents. Third-party notification available. Informal NCUC Public Staff appeal available. Payment installment plan available to bring account current within 6 months. A reconnection charge applies per Duke Energy Carolinas' NCUC-approved tariff, but no current NC-specific tariff sheet stating the dollar amount could be located this pass (Duke's rate pages are client-rendered and link to no readable PDF for this charge); the previously listed $25/$75 figures were themselves noted as unverified since 2021 and have been removed rather than repeated unconfirmed.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Share the Light Fund (one-time past-due bill assistance); Customer Assistance Program (CAP, monthly credit up to $42 for LIEAP/CIP-eligible customers); LIHEAP/LIEAP (via local DSS); Crisis Intervention Program (CIP); Disconnect Date Extension (1–2 extra weeks); payment installment plans","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/north-carolina/04-N-C-Admin-Code-11-R12-11","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"04 NC Admin Code 11 R12-11 — Disconnection of Residential Customer's Electric Service"},{"name":"Duke Energy Progress","service_area":"Central and eastern NC; includes Wake, Johnston, Cumberland, Harnett, Sampson, Wayne, Wilson, Pitt, Edgecombe, Nash, Halifax, Vance, Granville, Chatham, Lee, Moore, Hoke, Scotland, Richmond, Montgomery, Stanly, and surrounding counties","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Identical NCUC protections as Duke Energy Carolinas (both are Duke Energy subsidiaries subject to 04 NCAC 11 R12-11). Minimum 10 days written notice; 24-hour personal contact before shutoff; no disconnection on Fridays, weekends, or state/federal holidays or day before; winter moratorium Nov 1–Mar 31 for eligible elderly/disabled households; medical life-support list maintained; third-party notification available; informal NCUC Public Staff appeal available. Payment installment plan to bring account current within 6 months. A reconnection charge applies per Duke Energy Progress's NCUC-approved tariff, but no current NC-specific tariff sheet stating the dollar amount could be located this pass. The previously listed $25/$75 figures were themselves noted as unverified since 2021 and have been removed rather than repeated unconfirmed.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Share the Light Fund; Customer Assistance Program (CAP); LIHEAP/LIEAP (via local DSS); Crisis Intervention Program (CIP); Disconnect Date Extension; payment installment plans","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/north-carolina/04-N-C-Admin-Code-11-R12-11","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"04 NC Admin Code 11 R12-11 — Disconnection of Residential Customer's Electric Service"},{"name":"Dominion Energy North Carolina (Electric)","service_area":"Northeastern NC; approximately 120,000 electric customers in Washington, Martin, Pitt, Beaufort, and surrounding northeastern NC counties","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Subject to NCUC Rule R12-11: 10 days written notice; 24-hour personal contact before shutoff; no disconnection on Fridays, weekends, state/federal holidays or day before; winter moratorium Nov 1-Mar 31 for eligible elderly/disabled households; medical life-support certification available (form submitted to DEMedical@domenergy.com, requires annual physician renewal). Payment plans: past-due balances spread over up to 6 months with 1% monthly late charge on remaining balance. Third-party notification available. The company's filed Terms and Conditions (Section XVII) set the reconnection service charge at $7.08 for residential customers with a communicating (AMI) meter and $34.49 for residential customers with a non-communicating digital meter; $38.52 for nonresidential customers. The row's previous source, Dominion's Start Service consumer page, does not state these figures; re-sourced to the filed tariff where they appear verbatim.","reconnection_fee":"$7.08 for customers with Smart Meter (AMI); $34.49 for customers without Smart Meter — added to next bill","assistance_programs":"EnergyShare Heating (program of last resort, no income restrictions, up to $600, Oct 1–May 31); LIEAP/LIHEAP via local DSS; Crisis Intervention Program (CIP); NC 2-1-1 resource referral; payment extensions; budget billing","source_url":"https://www.dominionenergy.com/-/media/content/rates-and-tariffs/pdfs/north-carolina/shared/entire-filing.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Dominion Energy North Carolina, Terms and Conditions, Section XVII (Reconnection of the Supply of Electricity), NCUC Docket No. E-22, Sub 694, effective 2025-02-01"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Piedmont Natural Gas (Duke Energy)","service_area":"Charlotte metro and numerous NC communities including Salisbury, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Burlington, Hickory, Reidsville, Fayetteville, New Bern, Wilmington, Tarboro, Elizabeth City, Rockingham, Goldsboro; wholesale service to Greenville, Monroe, Rocky Mount, Wilson; approximately 1 million NC customers","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Subject to NCUC Rule R12-10: minimum 10 days written notice before termination for nonpayment; 24-hour personal contact attempt before disconnection; no disconnection on Fridays, weekends, state/federal holidays or day before; winter protection Nov 1–Mar 31 for eligible elderly/disabled households unable to pay who are certified for energy assistance. Installment plan available to bring account current within 6 months with 1% monthly late charge on arrearage balance. Utilities must identify accounts with seriously ill, handicapped, or life-support-dependent residents. Third-party notification available. Piedmont's NC Service Regulations confirm a Commission-approved reconnection fee applies but defer the dollar amount to a separate rate schedule that was not found with a current figure; the $90.95 previously shown here traces to 2017-2018 press releases and could not be confirmed as still current, so it has been removed rather than repeated unconfirmed.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"LIHEAP/LIEAP (via local DSS); Crisis Intervention Program (CIP); flexible payment plans (up to 6 months); Piedmont participates in NC energy assistance programs","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/north-carolina/04-N-C-Admin-Code-11-R12-10","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"04 NC Admin Code 11 R12-10 — Disconnection of Residential Customer's Natural Gas Service"},{"name":"Enbridge Gas North Carolina (formerly Dominion Energy / PSNC Energy)","service_area":"Central and eastern NC Piedmont and coastal areas; approximately 600,000 customers including Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Gastonia, Asheville, Concord, High Point, Henderson, and surrounding communities; acquired from Dominion Energy September 30, 2024","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Subject to NCUC Rule R12-10 (same statewide natural gas disconnection rules), cited above: arrears must be paid within 10 days after the billing date to avoid disconnection; 24-hour personal contact before shutoff; no disconnection on Fridays, weekends, state/federal holidays or the day before; winter moratorium Nov 1-Mar 31 for eligible elderly/disabled households. Service and rates continue to be governed by NCUC post-acquisition. Payment plans available (equal monthly payments, up to 6 months, 1% monthly late charge). Third-party notification available. The company's own Summary of Rates and Charges (https://www.enbridgegas.com/-/media/Extranet-Pages/north-carolina/rates-and-tariffs/summaries/currentratesummary.pdf) lists a Reconnection charge of $80.00 for residential customers during regular hours and $120.00 after 5 p.m., on weekends, or on holidays; reconnections exceeding one hour are billed at the indicated rates per additional hour. That rate summary is cited by name rather than as source_url because it doesn't state the notice period, which is what this row's verify.py flag was about.","reconnection_fee":"Reconnection fee applies, higher after regular hours/weekends/holidays; billed per additional hour if reconnection takes over an hour (see notes for current dollar amounts)","assistance_programs":"Heat Care Fund (Salvation Army partnership); WebPledge (organizations can make pledges on customer behalf); Budget Billing; LIEAP/LIHEAP (via local DSS); Crisis Intervention Program (CIP); payment arrangements and extensions","source_url":"https://law.cornell.edu/regulations/north-carolina/04-N-C-Admin-Code-11-R12-10","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"04 N.C. Admin. Code 11 R12-10, Disconnection of Residential Customer's Natural Gas Service"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Aqua North Carolina","service_area":"Approximately 323,000 people across 49–51 NC counties including Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Cumberland, Guilford, Forsyth, Buncombe, Wake, Durham, Johnston, Onslow, Pender, and many more","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Subject to NCUC Chapter 7 water rules. Rule R7-20(c) requires at least 5 days' written notice (excluding Sundays and holidays), and the utility must first have diligently tried to induce the customer to comply before disconnecting. Rule R7-20(f) caps the reconnection fee at $15.00 unless the utility proves its actual and reasonable restoration cost is higher, in which case the fee may be set at no more than the proven cost. The $60.00 figure previously shown here, attributed to 'Aqua's August 2024 tariff,' actually comes from a document for Aqua Water Supply Corporation, an unrelated Texas water utility regulated by the Texas PUC; that $60 base reconnection fee belongs to that company, not Aqua North Carolina. No Aqua North Carolina-specific approved reconnection fee above the $15.00 statutory cap was found this pass, so the field is null rather than repeating a figure that belongs to a different company in a different state. Medical delay: if attending physician contacts Aqua within 15 days of bill issuance and submits written statement within 20 days, disconnection can be delayed for residents who would become seriously ill.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP, federal); NC 2-1-1 resource referral; payment arrangements (877-987-2782)","source_url":"https://www.ncuc.gov/ncrules/chapter07.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"North Carolina Utilities Commission Rules, Chapter 7, Rule R7-20 (Water Companies, Utility's Discontinuance of Service)"},{"name":"Charlotte Water","service_area":"City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County metro area (municipal utility)","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Municipal utility, not directly regulated by NCUC. The FY25/FY26 rates comparison lists the Disconnect/Reconnect fee rising from $28.00 to $32.00 effective the FY26 rate year (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). Specific notice-day count not found in public materials; Charlotte follows city ordinance procedures. Note: city had suspended late fees and disconnects through November 28, 2025 due to billing system transition.","reconnection_fee":"$32.00 (FY26, effective July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026)","assistance_programs":"Charlotte Water Cares program; Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP); Mecklenburg County DSS referrals; partnership with Crisis Assistance Ministries, DreamKey Partners, CommonWealth Charlotte; 3-1-1 for assistance resources","source_url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20260113182224/https://www.charlottenc.gov/files/sharedassets/cltwater/v/1/documents/rates-and-billing/charlotte-water_fy25-fy26-rates-comparison_digital.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Charlotte Water FY25 & FY26 Rates Comparison (Wayback Machine archive, captured 2026-01-13; charlottenc.gov blocks automated readers directly)"},{"name":"Durham Water Management","service_area":"City of Durham, NC (municipal utility)","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Municipal utility. The city's Late Payment FAQ states there is no charge to disconnect water or sewer service for nonpayment, but a $50 penalty fee (water/sewer service charge) is added to the account at disconnection, on top of any other fees. Sewer-only physical disconnection requires a $250 charge; a Meter Extraction Fee of $75 applies to customers with a history of returned checks or unauthorized reconnection. City suspended disconnections and late fees through November 28, 2025 due to billing system transition. Payment due date, overdue thresholds, and payment-arrangement day counts described in earlier notes were not found on this page and are not restated here.","reconnection_fee":"$50 penalty fee at time of disconnection; deposit also required to reconnect (amount varies); sewer physical disconnection $250","assistance_programs":"Water Hardship Fund (application required); payment plans and arrangements; Durham One Call (919-560-1200); community resource referrals","source_url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20250320004535/https://www.durhamnc.gov/4118/Disconnection-for-Nonpayment","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Durham NC - Late Payment FAQs / Disconnection for Nonpayment (Wayback Machine archive, captured 2025-03-20; durhamnc.gov blocks automated readers directly)"}]},{"state_name":"North Dakota","state_code":"ND","slug":"north-dakota-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No blanket winter disconnection ban. November 1–April 30: utilities must attempt personal or phone contact before shutting off heat-related services. If unable to reach an adult at the residence, cannot disconnect until specific notification period passes. Customers can delay shutdown for up to 30 days by claiming dangerous health conditions, age 65+, or handicap. No disconnection on weekends, Fridays, state holidays, day before a state holiday, or after noon.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Claiming dangerous health conditions delays shutoff for up to 30 days. Customers age 65+ and handicapped also receive 30-day delay upon claim within 10 days of mailing the notice.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP administered by ND Community Action agencies. Xcel Energy, MDU, and Otter Tail Power offer low-income assistance programs. ND PSC requires payment plan information in disconnection notices.","state_puc_url":"https://www.psc.nd.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-22","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Xcel Energy North Dakota","service_area":"Eastern North Dakota (Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot area); operates as Northern States Power Company (NSP), a subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc.","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Corrected service area: NSP/Xcel's ND territory is eastern ND (Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot), not 'northern' generally, and the corporate relationship was backwards (NSP is Xcel's operating subsidiary, not the other way around). As an investor-owned electric utility, it is bound by NDAC 69-09-02-05.1 (current; 69-09-02-05 was superseded). A utility may not disconnect for nonpayment until it gives written notice, and service will be discontinued only if the delinquent account is not paid within 10 calendar days from the date of mailing or personal delivery (69-09-02-05.1(1)(e)); a 30-day stay is available if the customer is 65+, disabled, or reports a dangerous health condition within the 10-day window. The reconnection fee is 'established in the utility's rate schedules' (69-09-02-05.1(4)) - a tariff-specific figure, not a fixed statewide amount, so it is left null.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"NDAC 69-09-02-05.1(1)(a) requires a copy of the disconnection notice to also be mailed to the nearest social service office and any other approved financial-assistance agency, with the customer's prior consent. The rule itself does not name a specific program (e.g., LIHEAP is administered by ND Health and Human Services, a separate agency not confirmed via a source in the approved hierarchy for this row).","source_url":"https://ndlegis.gov/information/acdata/pdf/69-09-02.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"North Dakota Administrative Code 69-09-02-05.1, Discontinuance of Electric Service"},{"name":"Montana-Dakota Utilities Electric","service_area":"Western and central North Dakota; also serves Montana and South Dakota","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"MDU's North Dakota electric service is investor-owned and bound by NDAC 69-09-02-05.1 (current version; 69-09-02-05 was superseded). A utility may disconnect for nonpayment only after written notice, and only if the delinquent account remains unpaid 10 calendar days after the notice is mailed or delivered (69-09-02-05.1(1)(e)); customers 65+, disabled, or reporting a dangerous health condition can obtain a 30-day stay if they notify the utility within that 10-day window. The reconnection fee is 'established in the utility's rate schedules' (69-09-02-05.1(4)), a tariff-specific figure rather than a fixed statewide amount, so it is left null.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"NDAC 69-09-02-05.1(1)(a) requires the disconnection notice to also be copied to the nearest social service office and any other approved financial-assistance agency (with the customer's consent); the rule does not itself name a specific program.","source_url":"https://ndlegis.gov/information/acdata/pdf/69-09-02.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"North Dakota Administrative Code 69-09-02-05.1, Discontinuance of Electric Service"},{"name":"Otter Tail Power","service_area":"Eastern North Dakota (Wahpeton, Stutsman County area); headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota (not a North Dakota location); also serves Minnesota and South Dakota","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Corrected service area: the drafting agent's 'Fergus County' does not exist in North Dakota (Fergus Falls, the company's headquarters, is in Minnesota); Otter Tail's actual ND service territory is the eastern part of the state along the Minnesota border (e.g. Wahpeton, Stutsman County), not 'south-central.' As an investor-owned utility it is bound by NDAC 69-09-02-05.1: disconnection for nonpayment requires prior written notice and is allowed only after the account remains unpaid 10 calendar days from mailing/delivery of that notice (69-09-02-05.1(1)(e)), with a 30-day stay available for customers 65+, disabled, or reporting a dangerous health condition. The reconnection fee is set in the utility's own rate schedule (69-09-02-05.1(4)), not a fixed statewide figure, so it is left null.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"NDAC 69-09-02-05.1(1)(a) requires the disconnection notice to also be copied to the nearest social service office and any other approved financial-assistance agency (with the customer's consent); the rule does not itself name a specific program.","source_url":"https://ndlegis.gov/information/acdata/pdf/69-09-02.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"North Dakota Administrative Code 69-09-02-05.1, Discontinuance of Electric Service"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Xcel Energy North Dakota Gas","service_area":"Eastern North Dakota (Fargo, Grand Forks area); operates as Northern States Power Company (NSP), a subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc.","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Corrected service area to match the electric-side entity (eastern ND, not 'northern'). As an investor-owned gas utility, NSP-ND's gas service is bound by NDAC 69-09-01-18.1 (current; 69-09-01-18 was superseded), a near-identical counterpart to the electric rule: disconnection for nonpayment requires written notice, and service is discontinued only if the account remains unpaid 10 calendar days after mailing/delivery of that notice (69-09-01-18.1(1)(e)), with a 30-day stay for customers 65+, disabled, or reporting a dangerous health condition. The reconnection fee is 'established in the utility's rate schedules' (69-09-01-18.1(4)) rather than a fixed statewide figure, so it is left null.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"NDAC 69-09-01-18.1(1)(a) requires the disconnection notice to also be copied to the nearest social service office and any other approved financial-assistance agency (with the customer's consent); the rule does not itself name a specific program.","source_url":"https://ndlegis.gov/information/acdata/pdf/69-09-01.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"North Dakota Administrative Code 69-09-01-18.1, Discontinuance of Gas Service"},{"name":"Montana-Dakota Utilities Gas","service_area":"Western and central North Dakota; also serves Montana and South Dakota","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"MDU's North Dakota gas service is investor-owned and bound by NDAC 69-09-01-18.1 (current version; 69-09-01-18 was superseded). Disconnection for nonpayment requires prior written notice, and service is discontinued only if the account remains unpaid 10 calendar days after mailing/delivery of the notice (69-09-01-18.1(1)(e)), with a 30-day stay available for customers 65+, disabled, or reporting a dangerous health condition. The reconnection fee is set in the utility's own rate schedule (69-09-01-18.1(4)), not a fixed statewide figure, so it is left null.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"NDAC 69-09-01-18.1(1)(a) requires the disconnection notice to also be copied to the nearest social service office and any other approved financial-assistance agency (with the customer's consent); the rule does not itself name a specific program.","source_url":"https://ndlegis.gov/information/acdata/pdf/69-09-01.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"North Dakota Administrative Code 69-09-01-18.1, Discontinuance of Gas Service"}]},{"state_name":"Ohio","state_code":"OH","slug":"ohio-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":14,"gas_notice_days":14,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–April 15: utility planning to disconnect during winter must give an additional 10-day notice (total 24-day notice during winter). Special Reconnect Order (SRO) from PUCO: October 13–April 15 each year, residential customers of regulated utilities can maintain or reconnect service by paying $175, regardless of total outstanding balance. Not a blanket prohibition on disconnection — requires additional notice and enables the $175 SRO reconnection path.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certificate delays disconnection. Ohio utilities must maintain medical baseline customer lists and provide enhanced protections for life-support dependent customers.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP / Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) available through Ohio DCFS. Ohio PIPP Plus (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) provides bill discounts for income-qualified customers — one of the oldest and most established PIPP programs in the US. AEP, FirstEnergy, and Columbia Gas offer low-income programs.","state_puc_url":"https://puco.ohio.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":"PIPP Plus and Graduate PIPP Plus (percentage-of-income payment plans); HEAP; PUCO Special Reconnect Order ($175 once per heating season, October 13 through April 15)","name":"AEP Ohio","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Central, southern and eastern Ohio including Columbus; Ohio Power Company / Columbus Southern Power, a unit of American Electric Power","shutoff_rules_notes":"Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-18-06 lets a PUCO-regulated utility disconnect only 'after at least fourteen days' notice', and the notice may appear on the monthly bill. During the winter season (November 1 through April 15) AEP Ohio mails an additional 10-day disconnect notice before service may be shut off. Shutoffs happen only between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday. Service is not shut off for unpaid bills if a physician certifies that denial of service would be especially dangerous to a household member's health, limited to three 30-day medical certifications in a 12-month period. Restoration requires all past-due amounts plus a PUCO-approved reconnection fee, and a security deposit may be required; no reconnections for nonpayment after 8 p.m. April 15 through October 31, or after 6 p.m. November 1 through April 14.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Ohio Admin. Code 4901:1-18-06, Disconnection procedures for electric, gas, and natural gas utilities","source_url":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-4901:1-18-06"},{"assistance_programs":"PIPP Plus; HEAP Winter Crisis Program (for customers facing or already in disconnection); Gift of Power via The Salvation Army (937-528-5120); PUCO Special Reconnect Order ($175 once per heating season)","name":"AES Ohio","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Dayton and the Miami Valley, west-central Ohio; formerly Dayton Power & Light","shutoff_rules_notes":"Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-18-06 requires at least fourteen days' notice before disconnection, with an additional 10-day notice between November 1 and April 15. AES Ohio states that to restore service after a nonpayment disconnection 'customers must pay the past-due amount or meet any previous payment agreement' and that 'reconnections at the service line require payment of a reconnection fee before restoration'; a security deposit or guarantor may also be required. For customers with AMI smart meters service is restored within 30 minutes of payment, 24/7. Where a physical reconnection is needed, pay in full by 3:00 p.m. for same-day restoration; later payments may be scheduled for the next business day. A medical certification signed by a licensed physician, physician assistant, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse practitioner or certified nurse-midwife defers disconnection.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-18-06","source_url":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-4901:1-18-06"},{"assistance_programs":"PIPP Plus for households at or below 175% of the federal poverty level; HEAP Winter Crisis Program; Third Party Notification; PUCO Special Reconnect Order ($175 once per heating season)","name":"FirstEnergy Ohio (Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating, Toledo Edison)","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Northern and northeastern Ohio including Cleveland, Akron and Toledo; three FirstEnergy operating companies sharing one Ohio customer-rights booklet","shutoff_rules_notes":"Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-18-06 requires at least fourteen days' notice before disconnection, plus an additional 10-day notice between November 1 and April 15. FirstEnergy states you 'will be notified of an impending disconnection prior to shutoff except in cases involving meter tampering or when safety is an issue.' A Medical Certification Form completed by an appropriate health care professional delays disconnection for overdue bills up to 30 days. Third Party Notification lets a family member or friend be notified before shutoff without becoming liable for the balance. Reconnection charges are set by Tariff No. 53, Miscellaneous Charges, on file with the PUCO, and differ by operating company.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-18-06","source_url":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-4901:1-18-06"},{"assistance_programs":"Medical Certification with extended payment plan; PIPP Plus; HEAP; PUCO Special Reconnect Order ($175 once per heating season)","name":"Duke Energy Ohio","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Greater Cincinnati and southwestern Ohio; bills both electric and natural gas service","shutoff_rules_notes":"Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-18-06 requires at least fourteen days' notice before disconnection, plus an additional 10-day notice between November 1 and April 15. Duke Energy's Ohio medical certification 'will prevent disconnection of service for 30 days or restore services if the certificate is provided within 21 days of the disconnection of service.' Each household may use three medical certifications in a 12-month period, the signed form must be returned within seven days of the request, and customers who use it must enter an extended payment plan. Postponing disconnection does not reduce the amount owed.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-18-06","source_url":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-4901:1-18-06"}],"gas_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":"PUCO Special Reconnect Order ($175 once per heating season) with automatic enrollment in the One-Ninth Payment Plan; PIPP Plus; HEAP; EnergyShare administered by The Salvation Army","name":"Enbridge Gas Ohio","notice_days":17,"reconnection_fee":"$76 plus applicable taxes","service_area":"Northeast and east-central Ohio including Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Youngstown; formerly Dominion Energy Ohio / The East Ohio Gas Company","shutoff_rules_notes":"Before shutting off service for nonpayment Enbridge Gas Ohio includes a disconnection notice on the bill 'which provides you 17 days to make the required payment' — longer than the 14-day floor in Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-18-06. During the winter heating season (typically November 1 through April 15) the company gives a 10-day notice beyond the payment due date before shutting off. Reconnection costs $76 plus applicable taxes, alongside past-due amounts and any security deposit, which is billed in three equal monthly installments. Accounts off for 10 business days or less are restored the same day with proof of payment notified by 12:30 p.m., otherwise by 11:59 p.m. the next business day; accounts off longer than 10 business days may wait up to three days for an appointment. A medical certification delays termination for 30 days and can restore service if received within 21 days of disconnection, with three per household per 12 months.","source_date":"2026-09-20","source_title":"Your Rights & Obligations as an Enbridge Gas Ohio Customer (2026)","source_url":"https://www.enbridgegas.com/-/media/Extranet-Pages/ohio/customer-rights-and-obligations/your-rights-obligations-ohio.pdf"},{"assistance_programs":"HEAP; PIPP Plus (pay 5% of monthly household income, minimum $10, enrolled through a local Community Action Agency); WarmChoice weatherization; HeatShare fuel fund of last resort; PUCO Special Reconnect Order ($175, October 13 through April 15)","name":"Columbia Gas of Ohio","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":"$52","service_area":"About 1.4 million customers across central, western and southern Ohio including Columbus; a NiSource company","shutoff_rules_notes":"Columbia Gas 'may disconnect service after providing you with a 14-day written notice which normally will appear on your monthly bill,' and the notice must explain payment options. If you dispute the bill you may ask for a company review and then contact the PUCO. Shutoff is avoided if the past-due amount or proof of payment reaches the company by 10 p.m. the day before the scheduled shutoff date. Restoration after a nonpayment shutoff requires the full past-due balance, a $52 reconnection fee, and a security deposit if one is not already held. A Medical Certificate delays shutoff 30 days; initial certification may be made by telephone if written notice follows within seven days, the form must be received within 21 days of shutoff to restore service, and it may be used no more than three times in a 12-month period.","source_date":"2026-09-20","source_title":"Know Your Rights & Responsibilities — Columbia Gas of Ohio","source_url":"https://www.columbiagasohio.com/docs/librariesprovider5/services/rights-and-responsibilities.pdf"},{"assistance_programs":"Medical Certification with extended payment plan; PIPP Plus; HEAP; PUCO Special Reconnect Order ($175 once per heating season)","name":"Duke Energy Ohio Gas","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"Natural gas service in Greater Cincinnati and southwestern Ohio; same company that bills electric service in the region","shutoff_rules_notes":"Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-18-06 requires at least fourteen days' notice before disconnection of gas service, plus an additional 10-day notice between November 1 and April 15. Duke Energy's medical certification 'allows a customer who falls behind on bill payments due to family health problems to temporarily avoid disconnection of natural gas and/or electric service' and 'will prevent disconnection of service for 30 days or restore services if the certificate is provided within 21 days of the disconnection of service.' Three certifications are allowed per household per 12 months, the signed form must be returned within seven days, and use of it requires entering an extended payment plan.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-18-06","source_url":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-4901:1-18-06"}],"water_utilities":[{"assistance_programs":"Homestead discount — a lower fixed charge and consumption rate worth about 50% for an average customer, for customers 65 or older or totally and permanently disabled who own and live at the service address and meet income guidelines; payment schedules via the Customer Service Call Center at 216-664-3130","name":"Cleveland Water","notice_days":null,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"City of Cleveland and roughly 70 suburban communities; about 1.4 million people. Municipal system — not PUCO-regulated","shutoff_rules_notes":"Cleveland Water sends a Final Notice stating that 'water service to this property will be terminated as a result of non-payment' and that service will be terminated 'on or after' a printed date; no fixed statewide advance-notice period applies because municipal systems are outside PUCO jurisdiction. Once disconnected, 'the entire amount owed will be due, including the current balance, before we can restore your service.' A property owner, or a resident with an approved Cleveland Water Tenant Agreement, who disputes a scheduled termination may request a hearing before the Water Review Board by written request submitted within ten days of receiving the notice; hearings cannot be requested by telephone. A tenant whose landlord has not paid can sign a Tenant Agreement to take over future bills and avoid disconnection, though a deposit may be required.","source_date":"2026-09-20","source_title":"Final Notice (sample) — City of Cleveland Division of Water","source_url":"https://www.clevelandwater.com/sites/default/files/2023-06/Final%20Notice%20SAMPLE%20rev3-13-17.pdf"},{"assistance_programs":"Medical Certificate (30 days to pay or arrange); LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program) paid directly to Aqua and usable to restore disconnected service; payment arrangements","name":"Aqua Ohio","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"service_area":"About 500,000 people across Ohio including the Struthers, Massillon, Ashtabula, Lake Erie and Marion systems; investor-owned and PUCO-regulated","shutoff_rules_notes":"Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-15-27(B)(3)(a) governs PUCO-regulated water companies and requires 'not less than fourteen days written notice before service is disconnected' for nonpayment, and provides that disconnection 'may not occur prior to fourteen days after the due date'. Aqua Ohio is regulated by the PUCO, and its disconnection practice and reconnect charges are set in a tariff filed with the commission rather than published on its customer pages. A Medical Certificate — written confirmation from a physician or nurse practitioner that a resident has a condition that would be aggravated by a shutoff — 'gives the customer 30 days to pay the bill or to make payment arrangements' once received. LIHWAP grants are paid directly to Aqua and can restore service that was previously disconnected as well as keep active service on.","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Ohio Administrative Code 4901:1-15-27","source_url":"https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-4901:1-15-27"},{"name":"Ohio American Water","service_area":"Multiple Ohio communities statewide (investor-owned, PUCO-regulated).","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"14-day advance written notice required under OAC 4901:1-15-27 before disconnection for nonpayment. On the day of disconnection, personal notice must be provided to the customer or an adult resident; if no one is home, written notice must be posted conspicuously. Between April 1–November 30, service must be restored within 3 days of payment. Between December 1–March 31, service must be restored within 24 hours of payment. Medical exemptions available for serious health conditions.","reconnection_fee":"Specific reconnection fee in PUCO-filed tariff (not publicly extracted). Ohio water utilities generally charge $15–$60 per OAC 4901:1-15-34.","assistance_programs":"H2O Help to Others program (American Water customer assistance, amounts based on case-by-case need; grants cannot cover security deposits or reconnection fees); LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program — federal program, up to $2,500; ≤175% FPG; funding exhausted as of early 2024 but may be re-appropriated); Payment arrangements available; 866-430-0820; energyhelp.ohio.gov.","source_url":"https://www.occ.ohio.gov/factsheet/energy-disconnection-and-reconnection","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Energy Disconnection and Reconnection | Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel"},{"name":"Columbus Division of Water","service_area":"City of Columbus and portions of Franklin County; Columbus metro area.","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Columbus Division of Water is a municipal utility, outside PUCO jurisdiction, so the state's 14-day water rule (OAC 4901:1-15-27) is not binding on it. Termination procedure is governed by Columbus City Code Section 1101.03, which this pass could not retrieve (municode.com is a client-rendered shell with no readable text, and columbus-oh.elaws.us did not respond from this environment), so the specific advance-notice period for Columbus itself is not confirmed and is left null rather than borrowed from the state rule. Service is typically restored within 1 business day after full payment of past-due balance and reconnection fee. Confirmed charges from the city's own fee schedule: $20.00 service charge for a trip to discontinue or turn on water service for nonpayment, and $40.00 to relocate, disconnect, or reconnect the metering system (plus actual cost of that work).","reconnection_fee":"$20.00 service charge for trip to turn on water service after shutoff for nonpayment; separate $40.00 charge to relocate, disconnect, or reconnect the metering system, plus actual cost if metering system work is required.","assistance_programs":"Columbus Division of Water payment arrangements available (call 614-645-8276, Mon–Fri 7 a.m.–6 p.m.); LIHWAP (federal, up to $2,500 per water provider; ≤175% FPG; unfunded pending reappropriation); Ohio Utility Assistance Program via Dollar Energy Fund; energyhelp.ohio.gov.","source_url":"https://web.archive.org/web/20250708045301if_/https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/services/public-utilities/water-special-charges.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Special Water Charges — City of Columbus Department of Public Utilities"}]},{"state_name":"Oklahoma","state_code":"OK","slug":"oklahoma-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No calendar winter moratorium. Temperature-triggered: if NWS forecasts temperature below 32°F in the next 24 hours, utilities cannot disconnect heating service. Same protection exists for extreme heat: if NWS forecasts Heat Index of 101°F or above, disconnection suspended. OCC can order a temporary ban on all disconnections when they would create conditions dangerous to life or health.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Life-threatening or health-endangering conditions documented by application for financial aid or medical certification delay disconnection. OCC rules require utilities to delay disconnections when loss of service would be life-threatening.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"Utilities must include assistance program information in disconnection notices. LIHEAP available through Oklahoma Community Action agencies. OG&E, PSO, and ONG all offer low-income assistance programs.","state_puc_url":"https://oklahoma.gov/occ.html","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E)","service_area":"Central and western Oklahoma, including the Oklahoma City metro area, plus a portion of western Arkansas (Fort Smith area)","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$21.00 reconnection charge for service disconnected due to any violation (including nonpayment), per OG&E's OCC-approved tariff","assistance_programs":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Corrected on review. Okla. Admin. Code 165:35-21-20 requires at least 10 days' written notice (from the date of mailing) before an electric utility may disconnect residential service for nonpayment; a bare 24-hour notice applies only to other disconnection reasons, and during Nov 15-Apr 15 a second notice need only be 48 hours. Confirmed via Cornell LII's text of the rule. OG&E's own tariff (9th Revised Sheet No. 100, filed with the OCC and posted at oge.com/documents/d/portal/100-terms-and-conditions-stamped-approved) states: 'the Company will charge $21.00 for reconnection of service' whenever service has been disconnected for any violation. Reconnection charge previously reported as an unconfirmed null; it is confirmed here. Verified 2026-09-21.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/oklahoma/OAC-165-35-21-20","source_date":"2026-09-21"},{"name":"Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO)","service_area":"Eastern and southwestern Oklahoma, including the Tulsa, Lawton, and McAlester areas; subsidiary of American Electric Power","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$22.00 (normal business hours) or $56.00 (after hours) for a non-standard meter; $66.00/$171.00 for a pole or subsurface box meter; $55.00/$168.00 for a CT meter, per PSO's OCC-approved Schedule SC tariff","assistance_programs":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Corrected service area: PSO serves eastern and southwestern Oklahoma (Tulsa, Lawton, McAlester districts), not 'western and northern Oklahoma' as previously drafted. Corrected on review. As an OCC-jurisdiction investor-owned electric utility, PSO is subject to the same statewide rule as OG&E: Okla. Admin. Code 165:35-21-20 requires at least 10 days' written notice before disconnection for residential nonpayment. PSO's own tariff (5th Revised Sheet No. 100-1, 'Schedule: Service Charges,' filed with the OCC at psoklahoma.com/lib/docs/ratesandtariffs/Oklahoma/PSOMiscellaneousSchedulesJan2024.pdf) lists a tiered Service Reconnection Fee by meter type and time of day rather than a single flat fee; those tiers are recorded here in place of the earlier unconfirmed null. Verified 2026-09-21.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/oklahoma/OAC-165-35-21-20","source_date":"2026-09-21"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"ONE Gas (Oklahoma Natural Gas Company)","service_area":"Central, western, and northern Oklahoma","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$50.00 service fee to restore service after disconnection for nonpayment, per ONG's OCC-approved Rate Schedule 1041 (Miscellaneous Special Charges)","assistance_programs":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Corrected on review. Gas utilities are governed by a separate chapter than electric: Okla. Admin. Code 165:45-11-16 (not the electric rule at 165:35-21-20 previously cited generically) requires at least 10 days' written notice before disconnecting residential gas service for nonpayment, confirmed via Cornell LII. The prior draft's citation to 'Tariff 1051.32' does not match any ONG tariff found and has been dropped. ONG's real, OCC-approved Rate Schedule 1041 ('Miscellaneous Special Charges,' 3rd Revised Tariff 1041.2, effective 7/11/2023, at oklahomanaturalgas.com/media/ONG/Tariffs/1041.pdf), item 4, states: 'When gas service to any Customer is discontinued for nonpayment of gas bills, the Company will require payment before restoring service and will charge a $50 service fee' -- fetched directly on 2026-09-21 and recorded here in place of the earlier unconfirmed null. Verified 2026-09-21.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/oklahoma/OAC-165-45-11-16","source_date":"2026-09-21"},{"name":"Atmos Energy Oklahoma","service_area":"Parts of central and western Oklahoma including areas around Norman and other communities","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Corrected on review. As an OCC-jurisdiction investor-owned gas utility, Atmos Energy Oklahoma is subject to Okla. Admin. Code 165:45-11-16, which requires at least 10 days' written notice before disconnection of residential gas service for nonpayment (previously cited to the wrong, electric-only rule and to a generic OCC homepage). Atmos's own reconnection fee schedule was not found in an accessible tariff filing on 2026-09-21, so reconnection_fee remains null.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/oklahoma/OAC-165-45-11-16","source_date":"2026-09-21"}]},{"state_name":"Oregon","state_code":"OR","slug":"oregon-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":15,"gas_notice_days":15,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November–March severe weather moratorium (OAR 860-021-0407): disconnection must be postponed when temperature is forecast below 32°F during November–March, or during an active Winter Storm Warning. Moratorium remains in effect for 48 hours after the qualifying event. If service was disconnected within 72 hours before a moratorium event, utility must make best effort to reconnect upon customer request. Year-round: electric utilities must implement a moratorium during any Heat Advisory.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certificate postpones disconnection. Customers whose health depends on continued service receive enhanced protections under Oregon PUC rules. Life-support customers receive enhanced notification.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"Oregon Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) available through Oregon Housing and Community Services. Oregon's Residential Service Protection Fund (RSPF) provides bill payment assistance for low-income customers. PGE and Pacific Power offer low-income discount rates.","state_puc_url":"https://www.oregon.gov/puc","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Pacific Power (PacifiCorp)","service_area":"Eastern and southern Oregon; includes Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and other counties; communities include Medford, Grants Pass, Roseburg, Cave Junction, Sutherlin; also eastern Oregon. Approximately 600,000+ Oregon customers.","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"OAR 860-021-0405 requires at least 15 days' written notice before disconnection for nonpayment. No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, or state/utility-recognized holidays unless the customer, utility, and Commission Consumer Services all agree. Severe weather moratorium suspends disconnection when the forecast high is below 32F, and disconnections also pause during Heat Advisories, Level 2-3 wildfire evacuations, and days with AQI 100 or above. A medical certificate (OAR 860-021-0410) prohibits disconnection for 6 months, or 12 months for a chronic condition. Pacific Power's own Oregon tariff (Schedule 300, Rule 11B) sets the reconnection charge at $30.00 during regular business hours, $75.00 for non-regular weekday hours, $175.00 on weekends and holidays, and $7.00 for a remote reconnection; the $7.00 remote charge corrects a previous claim of no charge for remote reconnections, which this tariff does not support. No reconnection fee for income-qualified or medical certificate customers, or for weather- or wildfire-event reconnections, per Pacific Power's Oregon customer protections page.","reconnection_fee":"$30.00 during regular business hours (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.); $75.00 non-regular weekday hours; $175.00 weekends and holidays; $7.00 for remote reconnection","assistance_programs":"Low-Income Discount (LID) Program: 20–40% monthly discount for households at ≤60% State Median Income, self-attestation only, recertified every two years. Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP). Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Oregon Energy Fund (crisis grants).","source_url":"https://www.pacificpower.net/content/dam/pcorp/documents/en/pacificpower/rates-regulation/oregon/tariffs/rates/300_Charges_as_Defined_by_the_Rules_and_Regulations.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Oregon Schedule 300 - Charges as Defined by the Rules and Regulations (Pacific Power)"},{"name":"Portland General Electric (PGE)","service_area":"Portland metro and Willamette Valley; portions of Multnomah, Clackamas, Marion, Yamhill, Washington, and Polk counties; 51 incorporated cities; approximately 944,000 retail customers.","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"OAR 860-021-0405 requires at least 15 days' written notice before disconnection for nonpayment. No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, or state/utility-recognized holidays. Severe weather moratorium when the forecast high is below 32F, and disconnections also pause during Heat Advisories. A medical certificate (OAR 860-021-0410) prohibits disconnection for 6 to 12 months. PGE's own Oregon tariff (Schedule 300, Sheet 300-2, effective April 15, 2026) sets the standard reconnection charge at $9.00 at the meter base and $145.00 other than the meter base, rising to $26.00 and $370.00 for after-hours reconnection (crews dispatch up to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday). PGE periodically suspends disconnections for Income-Qualified Bill Discount and medical certificate customers during extreme weather or per legislative or PUC directive.","reconnection_fee":"At meter base: $9 regular hours (Mon–Fri before 7 p.m.); $26 after-hours. Other than meter base: $145 regular hours; $370 after-hours. Per PGE Schedule 300, Sixth Revision, effective January 1, 2026.","assistance_programs":"Income-Qualified Bill Discount (IQBD) Program: up to 80% discount for households at ≤60% State Median Income. Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP, year-round). LIHEAP (seasonal, federally funded). Local Community Action Agencies. Payment extensions and time-payment plans available online.","source_url":"https://assets.ctfassets.net/416ywc1laqmd/Z9SW1311yNz1OUSoi0Syr/7083084c65c96211f9f20af13778fc40/Sched_300.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"PGE Schedule 300, Sixth Revision of Sheet No. 300-1 and 300-2 (P.U.C. Oregon No. E-19)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"NW Natural (Northwest Natural Gas)","service_area":"Portland metro area, Willamette Valley, and surrounding Oregon and SW Washington communities; approximately 800,000+ meters; 140+ communities in Oregon.","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"15-day written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (OAR 860-021-0405). No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, or state/utility-recognized holidays (OAR 860-021-0320). Severe weather moratorium when forecast high is below 32°F (OAR 860-021-0407). Medical certificate (OAR 860-021-0410) prohibits disconnection; customer with medical need receives additional 5 business days to submit written certificate. Time-payment agreements (12-month plans, OAR 860-021-0415) prevent disconnection if maintained. Gas reconnection requires in-person field crew visit for safety inspection and relight of each gas appliance. Customer has 20 days after disconnection to reconnect without a new service application; must pay at least half of past-due balance at reconnection. Bill Discount Program customers and medical certificate holders: reconnection fee waived for standard-hours reconnection following nonpayment disconnection (per UM 2211 protections, effective 2026). NW Natural wrongfully disconnected ~198 protected low-income households in Nov–Dec 2025 and subsequently compensated them.","reconnection_fee":"Reconnection charge specified in Oregon Schedule C (P.U.C. Or. 25, 2025 revision). Specific dollar amount not publicly accessible (NW Natural PDFs return HTTP 403). Bill Discount Program participants and medical certificate holders are not charged a reconnection fee for standard-hours reconnections following nonpayment disconnection.","assistance_programs":"Bill Discount Program: 15–85% monthly discount for households at ≤60% State Median Income (launched November 2024; no proof of income required). Gas Assistance Program (GAP): shareholder/customer donation fund disbursed through Community Action Agencies. LIHEAP (federally funded, priority Nov–Mar). Debt forgiveness program for low-income customers with recurring debt (launched 2025). Oregon Energy Fund.","source_url":"https://www.nwnatural.com/account/bill-discount-program","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"NW Natural Bill Discount Program — NW Natural"},{"name":"Avista Utilities Gas Oregon","service_area":"Southern Oregon: Medford District including Ashland, Central Point, Eagle Point, Glendale, Gold Hill, Grants Pass, Jacksonville, Medford, Phoenix, Rogue River, Shady Cove, Talent, and White City; also Roseburg, Klamath Falls, and La Grande areas.","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"OAR 860-021-0405 requires the utility to provide written notice at least 15 days before disconnecting residential service, except for a handful of listed causes such as customer request or deposit nonpayment. No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, or state/utility-recognized holidays. Severe weather moratorium when the forecast high is below 32F. A medical certificate (OAR 860-021-0410) prohibits disconnection for nonpayment. Avista's own Oregon rights and responsibilities brochure, which still backs the assistance-program and late-fee details below, does not restate the day count. If disconnected for non-payment of deposit, the customer must pay the full deposit plus reconnect fee plus late fee plus half of the past-due balance to restore service, with the remaining balance due within 30 days. My Energy Discount program customers and medical certificate holders pay no reconnection fee for a standard-hours reconnection following a nonpayment disconnection.","reconnection_fee":"$30 during office hours (before 5 p.m., Mon–Fri); $50 after hours. Per Avista Oregon Tariff Sheet 20 (Miscellaneous Charges), effective December 2, 2024.","assistance_programs":"My Energy Discount (Oregon bill discount program): discount based on household income and size at ≤60% State Median Income; lasts 2 years; apply by phone (800-227-9187), mail, or through local Community Action Agency. Project Share: donation-based emergency assistance distributed through Community Action Agencies. LIHEAP. Oregon Energy Fund.","source_url":"https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_860-021-0405","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"OAR 860-021-0405 - Notice requirements prior to disconnection (Oregon Administrative Rules)"},{"name":"Cascade Natural Gas (MDU Resources)","service_area":"28 communities in central and eastern Oregon including Bend, Ontario, Baker City, Pendleton, Hermiston, and surrounding areas; approximately 75,000+ Oregon customers.","notice_days":15,"shutoff_rules_notes":"15-day written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment (OAR 860-021-0405). Per UM 2211 compliance documentation (February 2026), utilities are also required to provide a 20-day notice and a 5-day notice before shutoff. No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, or state/utility-recognized holidays (OAR 860-021-0320). Severe weather moratorium when forecast high is below 32°F (OAR 860-021-0407). Medical certificate (OAR 860-021-0410) prohibits disconnection; customer may self-attest medical need and must provide written confirmation from a qualified medical professional within 60 days. Energy Discount Program (EDP) customers and medical certificate holders: no reconnection fee for standard-hours reconnection following nonpayment disconnection; no more than $200 required upfront to reconnect service. Time-payment agreements (12-month plans, OAR 860-021-0415) prevent disconnection if maintained. Wildfire Level 2-3 evacuation moratorium: no disconnection during evacuation order; if disconnected within 72 hours before order, customer may request reconnection after order lifts. Gas reconnection requires in-person field crew safety inspection.","reconnection_fee":"$32 standard business hours (8 a.m.–5 p.m., Mon–Fri); $100 after hours (5 p.m.–9 p.m., Mon–Fri). Energy Discount Program participants and medical certificate holders: no reconnection fee for standard-hours reconnection following nonpayment disconnection.","assistance_programs":"Energy Discount Program (EDP): auto-enrollment for qualifying LIHEAP, OLIBA, or Winter Help recipients; income threshold ≤150% Federal Poverty Level or ≤60% Oregon State Median Income. Winter Help: donation-based emergency heating assistance for temporary hardships. LIHEAP (crisis, prevention, and restore payments via Community Action Agencies). Oregon Energy Fund.","source_url":"https://www.cngc.com/customer-service/customer-protections/","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Customer Protections — Cascade Natural Gas Corporation"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Portland Water Bureau","service_area":"City of Portland, Oregon. Municipal water utility.","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Service may be disconnected when charges are more than 10 days past due (Portland City Code 21.40.040); the code section points to the annual rate ordinance for the dollar figures. That ordinance (Exhibit A, FY 2025-26) sets a $5 reminder late fee, a $14 pre shut-off fee, a $35 last-chance fee, and a $120 authorization-to-disconnect fee as the bill moves toward shutoff. After shutoff for nonpayment, restoring service outside regular business hours (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., no charge) costs $200 for a Monday-Friday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. request, and $250 for a Monday-Thursday overnight, Friday after 9 p.m., or weekend/holiday request. Not regulated by the Oregon PUC for rates (municipal utility); OAR 860-021 energy disconnection rules do not apply. No temperature-based winter moratorium found.","reconnection_fee":"No fee during standard business hours (Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.). After-hours (Mon–Fri 5 p.m.–9 p.m.): $200. Overnight/weekend (Mon–Thu 9 p.m.–8 a.m., or Fri 9 p.m. onward): $250. Authorization-to-disconnect administrative fee (charged at 56 days overdue, before actual shutoff): $120.","assistance_programs":"Smart Discount Program: automatic 5–80% bill discount for income-qualified customers based on algorithmic eligibility assessment, no application required (FY 2025–26 pilot). Financial Assistance Program: income-based ongoing bill discount plus up to $500 crisis voucher; 2-week collection hold while application is reviewed. Regulated Affordable Multifamily Assistance Program (RAMP). Flexible no-cost payment arrangements available.","source_url":"https://efiles.portlandoregon.gov/record/17392087/file/document/","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Exhibit A, Water Rates and Charges, FY 2025-26 (Portland Water Bureau rate ordinance)"}]},{"state_name":"Pennsylvania","state_code":"PA","slug":"pennsylvania-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"December 1–March 31: utilities cannot terminate service to residential customers at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. Service disconnected during this period must be restored within 24 hours of payment. No terminations on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or day before holidays to ensure reconnection access. Third-party notification program allows a designated person to receive copies of shutoff notices.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Utility must make in-person or two-day phone contact 3 days before shutoff. Medical conditions cause 30-day postponement upon certification. Third-party notification program helps ensure medically vulnerable customers are protected.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP / CRISIS program available through PA DHS. Customer Assistance Program (CAP) required for all major electric and gas utilities in PA — CAP covers bill payment assistance, arrearage forgiveness, and reduced payment plans. PPL, PECO, Columbia Gas, and others all operate CAP programs.","state_puc_url":"https://www.puc.pa.gov","last_verified":"2026-05-14","water_utilities":[{"name":"Pennsylvania American Water","service_area":"36+ counties statewide, approx. 2.5 million people served","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"PUC-regulated under 52 Pa. Code Chapter 56. 10-day written notice required; 3-day personal contact attempt before shutoff. Shutoffs Monday–Thursday only. Dec 1–Mar 31: heat-related water service protected regardless of income. Medical certificate postpones shutoff 30 days (renewable twice). H2O Help to Others CAP program: 30–90% discount for income ≤200% FPL; grants up to $500/year for ≤250% FPL.","reconnection_fee":"$30 during business hours; actual cost for after-hours. Fee waived for customers at or below 200% FPL.","source_url":"https://amwater.com/paaw/customer-service-billing/rights-responsibilities","source_date":"2026-05-14"},{"name":"Aqua Pennsylvania","service_area":"Approx. 1.5 million people across PA; four divisions covering 30+ counties","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"PUC-regulated under 52 Pa. Code Chapter 56. 10-day written notice (valid 60 days); 3-day personal contact attempt required. No shutoffs before holidays. Dec 1–Mar 31: heat-related service protected. Medical certificate: physician must contact Aqua within 15 days of bill issuance, written statement within 20 days; disconnection delayed up to 45 days from bill issuance. Aqua Aid PA program for low-income customers.","reconnection_fee":"Not confirmed from primary source — tariff PDFs are binary-compressed. Call 877-987-2782 to confirm.","source_url":"https://www.aquawater.com/about-aqua/states-we-serve/aqua-pennsylvania","source_date":"2026-05-14"},{"name":"Philadelphia Water Department","service_area":"City of Philadelphia; approx. 1.5 million residents","notice_days":35,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Municipal utility — NOT PUC-regulated. 35-day notice for balances over $1,000 (2+ billing cycles). 'Raise Your Hand' program: households with a senior (65+), disabled person, or child under 18 are categorically exempt from shutoff — no income test required. TAP enrollees exempt from shutoff. Medical certificate delays shutoff 30 days. Payment plans require 25% down; TAP debt forgiven after 24 qualifying on-time payments.","reconnection_fee":"$100 for standard lines (≤2 inch); $385 for lines over 2 inches. TAP enrollees: $100.","source_url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/water-gas-utilities/water-shutoffs/","source_date":"2026-05-14"},{"name":"Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA)","service_area":"City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"PUC-regulated since 2018; follows 52 Pa. Code Chapter 56. 10-day written notice required. Winter moratorium for customers at or below 300% FPL (broader than PUC minimum). Bill Discount Program: first 1,000 gal/month free + 85% stormwater fee reduction for ≤200% FPL. Hardship grants up to $450/year water and $450/year wastewater via Dollar Energy Fund. $40/month arrearage forgiveness for on-time payers at ≤200% FPL.","reconnection_fee":"Currently waived for all customers.","source_url":"https://www.pgh2o.com/residential-commercial-customers/customer-assistance-programs","source_date":"2026-05-14"},{"name":"York Water Company","service_area":"South-central PA — primarily Adams, Cumberland, and York counties","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"PUC-regulated; follows 52 Pa. Code Chapter 56. 10-day written notice (valid 60 days); 3-day personal contact attempt required. Monday–Thursday shutoffs only. Dec 1–Mar 31: heat-related water service protected. Medical certificate postpones shutoff 30 days (renewable up to twice). Customer Assistance Program available for low-income customers.","reconnection_fee":"Charged per tariff; exact amount not confirmed from web-readable sources.","source_url":"https://www.yorkwater.com/customer-service/customer-rights/","source_date":"2026-05-14"}]},{"state_name":"Rhode Island","state_code":"RI","slug":"rhode-island-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":10,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–April 15 moratorium: no gas or electric utility may terminate service to any residence for non-payment during this period where service is the primary heat source (except when delinquent balance exceeds $500) or non-primary heat source (except when balance exceeds $200). Prior to actual termination during moratorium, utility must file a 48-hour advance affidavit with the Division. Strong threshold-based protection.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certification postpones disconnection. Rhode Island PUC rules protect households with life-threatening medical conditions.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP / Rhode Island Energy Assistance Program available through RI DHS. National Grid RI offers low-income discount programs. George Wiley Center provides consumer advocacy for utility issues.","state_puc_url":"https://ripuc.ri.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-22","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Rhode Island Energy","service_area":"Electric delivery across nearly all of Rhode Island. Legal name The Narragansett Electric Company d/b/a Rhode Island Energy, a PPL Corporation subsidiary; the d/b/a appears on the page footer of every sheet of the company's PUC-filed tariffs. The RIPUC's Regulated Utilities list names only three regulated electric utilities in the state, so the parts of Rhode Island not served by Rhode Island Energy are Block Island (New Shoreham) and the Pascoag/Harrisville area of Burrillville. The company's own press release of August 25, 2026 states it 'provides essential energy services to over 770,000 customers across Rhode Island through the delivery of electricity and natural gas' -- a combined electric-and-gas figure, not an electric-only count.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$32.00, per the company's current filed tariff (RIPUC No. 2300, Terms and Conditions for Distribution Service, Section 8.1.1, Sheet 8, issued 11/26/2025, effective 9/1/2026, canceling R.I.P.U.C. No. 2275)","assistance_programs":"Low-Income Discount Rate (Rate A-60, RIPUC No. 2283, effective 9/1/2026): total bill discounted 25% for customers eligible for LIHEAP or enrolled in SNAP or receiving SSI, and 30% for customers enrolled in Medicaid, Rhode Island Works or General Public Assistance. A settlement filed in RIPUC Docket 25-45-GE replaces that with a five-tier income-based structure -- 75% at 0-50% of the federal poverty limit, then 66%, 56%, 38% and 10% at >150%-250% FPL -- which the company agreed to implement by March 1, 2027. Forgiveness Program / Arrearage Management Program (RIPUC No. 2295, effective 9/1/2026): open to LIHEAP-approved customers on Rate A-60 with a balance of at least $300.00 more than 60 days past due, forgiving up to $1,500 per year against a 12-month payment plan; a 25% down payment is required only if service has already been shut off. Company press release of 8/25/2026 also names the United Way's Good Neighbor Energy Fund, to which it says it is the largest single donor, and an employee-funded 'Operation Help' direct bill-assistance program.","shutoff_rules_notes":"810-RICR-10-00-1 Section 1.5(A) requires that service 'shall not be terminated for nonpayment unless the customer has been sent written notice of the public utility's intention to disconnect, mailed so as to be received, under reasonable circumstances, at least ten (10) days in advance of the date of the proposed disconnection.' Section 1.3(A) applies these Commission rules to corporations under RIPUC jurisdiction that operate electric utilities, and the RIPUC's own Regulated Utilities list names Rhode Island Energy as a regulated electric utility, so no inference about scope is needed. The Rhode Island Department of State's regulation site shows this Part as an ACTIVE RULE effective 06/23/2025, with the prior versions (01/04/2022 and earlier) marked INACTIVE. Section 1.4(F) bars gas or electric shutoff during the utility termination moratorium period -- defined in Section 1.2 as 12:01 a.m. on November 1st to 11:59 p.m. on May 1st, the end date having moved from April 15th by the 2025 amendment in Docket 24-36-RM -- unless the delinquent balance exceeds $500.00 where the service is the primary source of heat, or exceeds $200.00 where it is not; 'delinquent balance' means an amount unpaid at least ten calendar days after it was due. The rule sets no dollar reconnection fee itself: Section 1.7(B) says only that a utility 'may charge the customer a reconnection fee authorized by the Public Utilities Commission.' Rhode Island Energy's current tariff supplies that figure -- RIPUC No. 2300, Section 8, 'Stopping Service,' makes discontinuance 'subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission' and sets a $32.00 reconnection charge. Note that RIPUC No. 2300 took effect 9/1/2026 and cancels R.I.P.U.C. No. 2275, the tariff cited in an earlier draft of this row; the $32.00 figure is unchanged between them.","source_url":"https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/810-10-00-1","source_title":"810-RICR-10-00-1 -- Rules and Regulations Governing the Termination of Residential Electric, Gas and Water Utility Service (Rhode Island Department of State)","source_date":"2026-09-22"},{"name":"Clear River Electric and Water District","service_area":"Village of Pascoag and the Harrisville area of the Town of Burrillville, RI. The district's own site describes it as a quasi-municipal, not-for-profit utility incorporated by a special act of the Rhode Island General Assembly, serving roughly 5,000 electric customers in Pascoag and Harrisville and roughly 2,200 water customers in Pascoag, Harrisville, Mapleville and Oakland. Formerly Pascoag Utility District: the name change was filed on its PUC tariffs on 12/30/2024 in RIPUC Docket 24-14-EL, and the district's tariffs carry the Clear River name with an effective date of January 1, 2025.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$44.00 during normal office hours / $111.00 after normal office hours; $83.00 (normal hours) or $214.00 (after hours) if the reconnection must be made at the pole (RIPUC No. 707, Terms and Conditions for Electric Service, filing date 4/5/2024, effective 1/1/2025)","assistance_programs":"Arrearage Management Program (AMP), filed as RIPUC No. 850 under R.I. Gen. Laws Section 39-2-1(d)(2): forgives past-due balances for customers who are LIHEAP-eligible and have a minimum balance of $300.00 more than 60 days past due, up to an annual maximum of $1,500, conditioned on a 12-month payment plan and participation in the District's energy-efficiency programs (which include a free energy audit). A customer whose service has already been terminated must make an initial payment of 25% of the total unpaid balance to enroll.","shutoff_rules_notes":"810-RICR-10-00-1 Section 1.3(A) applies these Commission termination rules to 'municipalities, and cooperatives which are under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission,' and the RIPUC's own Regulated Utilities list names 'Clear River Electric and Water District (formerly Pascoag Utility District)' as a regulated electric utility, so the rule reaches this quasi-municipal district directly rather than by inference. Section 1.5(A) therefore sets the at-least-ten-day written notice before disconnection for nonpayment, and Section 1.4(F) the November 1 to May 1 winter moratorium with its $500.00 (primary heat) / $200.00 (other) delinquent-balance ceilings. The district's own current tariff corroborates this: RIPUC No. 707, paragraph 19 'Discontinuance of Service,' opens 'Subject to the Rules and Regulations of the Commission' before setting the reconnection charges -- $44 during normal office hours, $111 after normal office hours, and $83 / $214 if the reconnection must be done at the pole. RIPUC No. 707 is still the district's operative Terms and Conditions; its own tariff index lists no later replacement.","source_url":"https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/810-10-00-1","source_title":"810-RICR-10-00-1 -- Rules and Regulations Governing the Termination of Residential Electric, Gas and Water Utility Service (Rhode Island Department of State)","source_date":"2026-09-22"},{"name":"Block Island Power Company","service_area":"Block Island (Town of New Shoreham), RI. The legal entity is the Block Island Utility District, which does business as Block Island Power Company -- the name RIPUC uses in its docket captions and on its Regulated Utilities list. The Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers describes it as 'a quasi-municipal corporation established under the Block Island Utility District Act of 2017' that 'began operations on March 25, 2019, and is the successor to the former stockholder-owned Block Island Power Company,' serving 1,977 customers (1,636 residential) as of calendar year 2022. It is not part of Rhode Island Energy's territory.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$25.00 during normal business hours / $50.00 after normal business hours (the company's own published rate and terms sheet; no PUC-filed terms-and-conditions tariff carrying these figures was located, so this rests on the utility's own page)","assistance_programs":"No named low-income discount or arrearage-forgiveness program was found on any accessible primary source. The company's own rate-and-terms sheet lists protections against termination rather than a program: households where everyone is 62 or older, where a member is handicapped or seriously ill, where there is a person under 24 months old, where the customer is eligible for heating assistance, or where the principal wage earner is receiving unemployment compensation; it also offers a residential payment plan.","shutoff_rules_notes":"The RIPUC's own Regulated Utilities list names 'Block Island Utility District d/b/a Block Island Power Company' as a regulated electric utility, which puts it inside Section 1.3(A) of 810-RICR-10-00-1 -- the rule reaches 'municipalities, and cooperatives which are under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission' -- so Section 1.5(A)'s at-least-ten-day written notice before disconnection for nonpayment applies. The ten-day figure comes from that rule, not from any Block Island document: the company's own rate-and-terms sheet prints no day count at all. What that sheet does print corroborates that the company works under this rule -- the same $500 (primary heat) / $200 (other) delinquent-balance thresholds Section 1.4(F) uses, the same protected-status categories, and the same appeal route to the 'Review Officer, Public Utilities Division, 86 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick.' Treat that page's own summary with care: it cites the 'Rules and Regulations Governing the Termination of Residential Electric Service, dated April 11, 2012' and gives the winter period as November 1 to April 1, both of which the current rule supersedes (the moratorium now runs November 1 to May 1). The $25.00 / $50.00 reconnection charges come from that same company page and could not be cross-checked against a commission-filed terms-and-conditions tariff; the BIPCO tariff on the RIPUC site is a 2008 rate sheet, and the district's 2026 compliance tariff in Docket 25-56-EL contains only power supply, transmission and net metering rates.","source_url":"https://blockislandpowercompany.com/rates-terms/","source_title":"Rates & Terms -- Block Island Power Company","source_date":"2026-09-22"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Rhode Island Energy","service_area":"Natural gas delivery within Rhode Island Energy's RIPUC-filed gas service territory (RIPUC RIE-GAS No. 101). Same legal entity as the electric operations, The Narragansett Electric Company d/b/a Rhode Island Energy, a PPL Corporation subsidiary. The RIPUC's Regulated Utilities list names Rhode Island Energy as the only regulated gas utility in the state. The company's own press release of August 25, 2026 states it serves 'over 770,000 customers across Rhode Island through the delivery of electricity and natural gas'; no gas-only customer count was found on a primary source, so none is claimed here.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$96.00 Account Restoration Charge (RIPUC RIE-GAS No. 101, General Terms and Conditions, Schedule A Sheet 14, Twelfth Revision, Item 13.0, issued 11/26/2025, effective 9/1/2026); waived for customers on the low-income Rate 11 and Rate 13 classes","assistance_programs":"The same programs as the electric row, because Rhode Island Energy runs them across the combined energy bill: the income-eligible discount rate (25% for LIHEAP / SNAP / SSI customers, 30% for Medicaid / Rhode Island Works / General Public Assistance customers, moving to a five-tier 10%-75% income-based structure the company agreed in RIPUC Docket 25-45-GE to implement by March 1, 2027) and the Forgiveness Program / Arrearage Management Program, which forgives up to $1,500 per year for LIHEAP-approved customers with a balance of at least $300 more than 60 days past due. Separately, the gas tariff waives the $96.00 Account Restoration Charge outright for low-income Rate 11 and Rate 13 customers.","shutoff_rules_notes":"810-RICR-10-00-1 Section 1.3(A) applies these Commission rules to gas utilities under RIPUC jurisdiction, and Section 1.5(A) -- which is written for utilities generally, not per fuel -- requires written notice mailed to arrive at least ten (10) days before the proposed disconnection for nonpayment. The same day count therefore governs gas and electric here; Rhode Island has one chapter for both, unlike states that split them. Section 1.4(F)'s moratorium, November 1 to May 1 since the 2025 amendment in Docket 24-36-RM, bars gas shutoff unless the delinquent balance exceeds $500.00 where gas is the primary heat source or $200.00 where it is not. The utility's own current gas tariff supplies the fee: RIPUC RIE-GAS No. 101, Section 8.0 'Discontinuance of Service,' makes disconnection 'Subject to the applicable regulations of the PUC and the Division' and charges an account restoration charge on turn-on after a shut-off for nonpayment, which Item 13.0 'Schedule of Administrative Fees and Charges' sets at $96.00, waived for Rate 11 and Rate 13 low-income customers. This is the revision issued 11/26/2025 and effective 9/1/2026 out of Docket 25-45-GE, which supersedes the Tenth Revision (effective 9/1/2022) cited in an earlier draft; the $96.00 figure is unchanged, but the fee schedule moved from Item 12.0 to Item 13.0.","source_url":"https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/810-10-00-1","source_title":"810-RICR-10-00-1 -- Rules and Regulations Governing the Termination of Residential Electric, Gas and Water Utility Service (Rhode Island Department of State)","source_date":"2026-09-22"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Providence Water Supply Board","service_area":"Its own testimony in RIPUC Docket 24-51-WW (filed 11/26/2024) describes a system that 'serves seven wholesale customers and over 75,000 retail customers' and 'supplies clean drinking water to 600,000 Rhode Islanders.' The seven wholesale customers named in its current tariff are Bristol County Water Authority, East Providence, Kent County, Warwick, Greenville, Lincoln and Smithfield. Retail service covers Providence, North Providence, Cranston and Johnston, plus the area of the former East Smithfield Water District.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$43.00 Service Restoration Fee; a separate $64.00 Service Shutoff Fee also applies (Providence Water Supply Board Tariff, Schedule F Service Fee Schedule, effective July 1, 2026, filed in RIPUC Docket 24-51-WW Step 2)","assistance_programs":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"810-RICR-10-00-1 Section 1.3(A) applies these Commission rules to entities under RIPUC jurisdiction 'which own or operate electric, gas, or water utilities in the State of Rhode Island,' and the RIPUC's own Regulated Utilities list names Providence Water Supply Board as a regulated water utility. That general applicability clause is not limited to the winter-moratorium provisions, which are separately confined by their own text to a 'gas or electric public utility,' so Section 1.5(A)'s at-least-ten-day written notice before disconnection for nonpayment reaches Providence Water while Section 1.4(F)'s moratorium does not. The ten-day figure comes from the Commission rule; no Providence Water document states a day count. The fee figures come from the utility's own PUC-filed tariff, Schedule F, which lists a Service Shutoff Fee of $64.00 and a Service Restoration Fee of $43.00; those two amounts are identical in the tariff effective July 1, 2021 (Docket 4994), the one effective August 1, 2025, and the Step 2 compliance tariff effective July 1, 2026 in Docket 24-51-WW. No low-income, hardship or arrearage-forgiveness program appears anywhere in that tariff or in the 2024 rate filing, and provwater.com returns HTTP 403 to this project's fetcher on every path tried, so assistance_programs is left null rather than guessed. The retail municipality list is derived, not quoted: the rate filing's statutory notice names eleven recipients, seven of which are the wholesale customers listed in the tariff, leaving Providence, North Providence, Cranston and Johnston; the tariff separately carries retail surcharges for 'the former customers of the East Smithfield Water District' and 'the former customers of the Town of Johnston Water System,' and the FY2024 annual report accounts separately for the Western Cranston Water District System.","source_url":"https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/810-10-00-1","source_title":"810-RICR-10-00-1 -- Rules and Regulations Governing the Termination of Residential Electric, Gas and Water Utility Service (Rhode Island Department of State)","source_date":"2026-09-22"},{"name":"Kent County Water Authority","service_area":"Kent County, RI. The Authority's own site says it serves 'the towns of Coventry, East Greenwich, West Greenwich, West Warwick and the City of Warwick,' plus portions of Cranston, Scituate and North Kingstown, reaching over 87,780 inhabitants through 27,392 service connections and 469 miles of water main. It buys its treated water wholesale from the Providence Water Supply Board.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$45.00 Turn On Charge per occurrence; a separate $55.00 Turn Off Charge also applies, and both must be paid in full before service is turned back on (Kent County Water Authority Rate Schedule, KCWA PUC Docket #25-34-WW, effective 9/1/2025)","assistance_programs":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"810-RICR-10-00-1 Section 1.3(A) applies these Commission rules to water utilities under RIPUC jurisdiction, and the RIPUC's own Regulated Utilities list names Kent County Water Authority as a regulated water utility; the Authority's own rate schedule is headed 'KCWA PUC DOCKET# 25-34-WW,' which is the same jurisdiction stated from the utility's side. Section 1.5(A)'s at-least-ten-day written notice before disconnection for nonpayment therefore applies. The ten-day figure comes from the Commission rule alone -- KCWA's own Rules and Regulations print no advance-notice day count. What they do say matters to a customer reading them: Part II Section 2.4.1.2 provides that bills unpaid 28 days from the date of rendering 'shall be subject to immediate termination of service and an additional turn off fee,' and Section 2.4.3 makes the Authority's delinquency notices a courtesy whose non-receipt does not excuse payment. That 28-day trigger is when the account becomes shut-off eligible, not a substitute for the Commission's ten-day notice. Section 2.3.5.2 routes an unresolved billing dispute to the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, office of Consumer Protection Affairs -- the same office 810-RICR-10-00-1 designates. No low-income, hardship or forgiveness program appears in the Authority's regulations or rate schedule, so assistance_programs is null; residential payment plans are available under Part II Section 2.4.2 if applied for within 15 days of bill receipt.","source_url":"https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/810-10-00-1","source_title":"810-RICR-10-00-1 -- Rules and Regulations Governing the Termination of Residential Electric, Gas and Water Utility Service (Rhode Island Department of State)","source_date":"2026-09-22"}]},{"state_name":"South Carolina","state_code":"SC","slug":"south-carolina-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Weak","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":10,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No formal winter moratorium. Commission Regulation 103-352 permits customers to defer disconnection December through March by providing an authorized medical certificate to the utility at least 3 days prior to disconnection (or to the disconnection crew at time of disconnection). This is a medical deferral mechanism rather than a general moratorium.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certificate (signed by customer and licensed healthcare provider) presented at least 3 days before disconnection — or to the disconnection crew on-site — defers service disconnection December through March. Medical deferral is the primary winter protection mechanism.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"Dominion Energy SC and Duke Energy SC operate low-income assistance programs. LIHEAP available through SC DSS. The Office of Regulatory Staff provides consumer representation before the PSC.","state_puc_url":"https://psc.sc.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Duke Energy Carolinas (SC)","service_area":"Upstate South Carolina, including Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, and York counties","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Corrected service area: Duke Energy Carolinas serves the Upstate (18 counties including Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, York), not 'most of South Carolina excluding coastal areas' as previously drafted -- that overstated its footprint. Corrected on review. 'SC PSC Rule 141-1,' the citation given for the 10-day figure, does not exist anywhere in the SC Code of Regulations Chapter 103 (searched full text, no match); the real, current rule is S.C. Code Regs. 103-352 ('Procedures for Termination of Service'), last amended eff. May 24, 2024, which requires the electrical utility to mail a termination notice 'not less than ten (10) days prior to termination of service' -- so the 10-day figure itself is correct, only the citation was wrong. The earlier note that disconnection is barred 'when temperature forecasted below 32 degrees F' is not supported by 103-352's text: the actual medical protection (103-352(a)(3)(b)) requires a licensed physician's certificate during December-March, with no temperature threshold, so that claim has been removed rather than repeated. Reconnection charges are 'reasonable charges, to be approved by the commission' set per utility (103-339(5)); no Duke-specific dollar figure was located in an accessible tariff on 2026-09-21, so it remains null. Verified 2026-09-21.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/south-carolina/R-103-352","source_date":"2026-09-21"},{"name":"Dominion Energy South Carolina (SCE&G - South Carolina Electric & Gas)","service_area":"Central South Carolina including the Midlands (Columbia) region and coastal Lowcountry areas","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Corrected on review, same basis as Duke Energy Carolinas: the cited 'SC PSC Rule 141-1' does not exist in Chapter 103 of the SC Code of Regulations; the correct, current rule is S.C. Code Regs. 103-352, requiring at least 10 days' mailed notice before termination for nonpayment (confirmed correct as to the day count). The earlier 'below 32 degrees F' winter-protection claim is not in 103-352's text -- the actual protection is a physician's certificate during December-March with no stated temperature -- and has been removed. No Dominion-specific reconnection fee was found in an accessible tariff on 2026-09-21 (103-339(5) leaves the amount to commission-approved utility tariffs), so it remains null. Verified 2026-09-21.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/south-carolina/R-103-352","source_date":"2026-09-21"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Dominion Energy South Carolina Gas (formerly SCE&G Gas)","service_area":"South Carolina service territory for natural gas","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Corrected on review. Gas and electric are governed by separate chapters of SC PSC regulations; the 10-day figure was previously (and correctly, as to the number) attributed to a nonexistent 'Rule 141-1' shared with electric. The actual, current rule for gas is S.C. Code Regs. 103-452 ('Procedures for Termination of Service,' Article 4), which requires the gas utility to mail a termination notice 'not less than ten days prior to termination of service.' The earlier 'below 32 degrees F' winter-protection claim is not in 103-452's text -- the real protection (103-442(a)(3)(b)) is a physician's certificate during December-March, with no temperature threshold -- and has been removed. Reconnection charges are 'reasonable charge[s], to be approved by the commission' (103-439(5)), set per utility; no Dominion-specific figure was found in an accessible tariff on 2026-09-21, so it remains null. Verified 2026-09-21.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/south-carolina/R-103-452","source_date":"2026-09-21"},{"name":"Piedmont Natural Gas (South Carolina Operations)","service_area":"Western South Carolina including Spartanburg, Greenville, Anderson, and Laurens areas","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Corrected on review, same basis as Dominion Energy SC Gas: the current rule is S.C. Code Regs. 103-452, requiring at least 10 days' mailed notice before termination for gas nonpayment (the day count was correct; 'Rule 141-1' is not a real citation). The earlier 32-degree temperature claim is not supported by 103-452's actual text and has been removed. No Piedmont-specific reconnection fee was found in an accessible tariff on 2026-09-21, so it remains null. Verified 2026-09-21.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/south-carolina/R-103-452","source_date":"2026-09-21"}]},{"state_name":"South Dakota","state_code":"SD","slug":"south-dakota-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":null,"gas_notice_days":null,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–March 31: investor-owned utilities must provide an additional 30 days beyond standard notice before disconnecting. Medical certificate from a physician, public health official, or social services official also provides 30-day postponement. Applies to IOUs (Black Hills Energy, MidAmerican, MDU, NorthWestern, Otter Tail, Xcel). Rural Electric Cooperatives and Municipal Utilities governed by their own elected boards. Notice period not independently verified from primary PSC source.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certificate from a licensed physician, public health official, or social services official postpones disconnection for 30 days.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP administered through SD DLR / Community Action agencies. Black Hills Energy and Xcel offer low-income assistance.","state_puc_url":"https://puc.sd.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-22","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Northern States Power Company (Xcel Energy)","service_area":"Eastern South Dakota including Sioux Falls, Watertown, Brookings, and Aberdeen areas; investor-owned utility regulated by the SD Public Utilities Commission, subsidiary of Xcel Energy","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$17.50 Service Reconnection Charge for residential customers (and Small General Service/Small General Time-of-Day commercial customers) with a standard AMI meter; $150.00 for demand-billed customers ineligible for remote connect and all other customers, effective Jan 1, 2026; a separate $100.00 Service Relock Charge applies if the customer relocks service without Company authorization after disconnection; also a $12.00 Service Processing Charge for new/initial service establishment (SDPUC Docket EL23-028, tariff Sheet No. 6-3/6-3.1, final revision filed 12/15/2023, order 12/8/2023)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed statewide by S.D. Admin. R. 20:10:20:03, which applies to gas and electric utilities regulated by the SD PUC (Chapter 20:10:20, 'Refusal and disconnection of gas and electric service'). That rule requires (1) a payment period of not less than 20 days from bill transmittal to due date, plus (2) an additional notice period of not less than 10 days during which the bill has been owing, before disconnection is permitted; recorded notice_days as 10, the explicitly stated additional notice period, not the combined ~30-day cycle which the rule does not itself state as a single figure. No disconnection Fri/Sat/Sun/holidays or when offices are closed (20:10:20:06). Nov 1-Mar 31 residential winter disconnections require an additional 30 days beyond the normal date (20:10:20:10). CORRECTED: the prior draft's $35.00 reconnection fee was pulled from a Sheet effective 8/1/2012 that has since been superseded twice via PUC Docket EL23-028 (order 12/8/2023): the $35 rate applied only 'through December 31, 2023,' dropped to $17.50 for AMI-metered residential/small-commercial customers (with $35 for demand-billed/other) effective 1/1/2024, and rose again to $150 for the demand-billed/other tier effective 1/1/2026 while the AMI tier stayed $17.50. As of today's date the 1/1/2026 tier applies. Confirmed directly against the PUC's own docket tariff pages, not the utility's marketing site.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) via SD Dept. of Social Services; utility also references energy assistance program referrals in its tariff customer-data provisions.","source_url":"https://puc.sd.gov/commission/dockets/electric/2023/EL23-028/TariffPages121523.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"SDPUC Docket EL23-028, Final Revised Tariff Pages (South Dakota Electric Rate Book, SDPUC No. 2, Sheet Nos. 6-3/6-3.1), filed 12/15/2023; statewide notice rule at S.D. Admin. R. 20:10:20:03 (law.cornell.edu)"},{"name":"Black Hills Energy (Black Hills Power)","service_area":"Western South Dakota including Rapid City and the Black Hills region; investor-owned utility regulated by the SD Public Utilities Commission, subsidiary of Black Hills Corporation","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Same statewide rule applies as to Northern States Power: S.D. Admin. R. 20:10:20:03 requires a 20-day billing-to-due-date payment period plus an additional notice period of not less than 10 days (bill owing) before disconnection, under Chapter 20:10:20 governing SD-PUC-regulated gas and electric utilities. Winter (Nov 1-Mar 31) disconnections require an additional 30 days; disconnection barred on Fri/Sat/Sun/holidays. This is the statewide administrative rule rather than a Black Hills Energy-specific tariff fetched in this pass, so a company-specific reconnection fee was not confirmed. Confidence is medium, the same as Northern States Power's row, because both rest on the identical statewide rule (S.D. Admin. R. 20:10:20:03) with no utility-specific reconnection-fee tariff confirmed; a company should not be marked lower confidence than another resting on the same evidence.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP via SD Dept. of Social Services; Black Hills Energy also publicizes its own low-income/energy-assistance referral program on its customer-service pages (not independently verified in this pass).","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/south-dakota/ARSD-20-10-20-03","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"S.D. Admin. R. 20:10:20:03 (Nonpayment of past due bills as reason for disconnection)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"NorthWestern Energy","service_area":"Natural gas service in eastern South Dakota","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed statewide by S.D. Admin. R. 20:10:20:03, the same Chapter 20:10:20 rule that applies to gas and electric utilities regulated by the SD PUC. Requires a 20-day billing-to-due-date payment period plus an additional notice period of not less than 10 days (bill owing) before disconnection; recorded notice_days as 10 (the additional stated notice period), not a computed total. Written notice of intent to disconnect, and personal notice (phone/visit/certified mail) on a customer's first disconnection, are also required (20:10:20:03(3)). No disconnection Fri/Sat/Sun/holidays (20:10:20:06); Nov 1-Mar 31 winter disconnections require an additional 30 days (20:10:20:10). A NorthWestern Energy-specific reconnection fee tariff was not located/fetched in this pass. Confidence is medium, the same as Northern States Power's row, because both rest on the identical statewide rule (S.D. Admin. R. 20:10:20:03) with no utility-specific reconnection-fee tariff confirmed; a company should not be marked lower confidence than another resting on the same evidence.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP via SD Dept. of Social Services.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/south-dakota/ARSD-20-10-20-03","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"S.D. Admin. R. 20:10:20:03 (Nonpayment of past due bills as reason for disconnection)"}]},{"state_name":"Tennessee","state_code":"TN","slug":"tennessee-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Weak","electric_notice_days":null,"gas_notice_days":null,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No statewide winter moratorium. TPUC has limited jurisdiction over electric utilities — most Tennessee electricity is supplied by TVA distributors, municipal utilities, and electric cooperatives not under TPUC. Some municipal utilities voluntarily suspend disconnections when temperature forecast drops below 32°F, but this is not statewide or mandated. Standard disconnection notice days not confirmed from TPUC primary source — listed as null.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"30-day medical postponement when a licensed medical professional certifies that termination would be especially dangerous to the health of a household member. Applies under TPUC rules to utilities within its jurisdiction.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP available through Tennessee DHS. Tennessee's utility landscape is unusual — most electric service is provided by TVA-affiliate distributors (EPB, Memphis Light Gas & Water, etc.) with their own policies.","state_puc_url":"https://www.tn.gov/tpuc","last_verified":"2026-09-22","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW)","service_area":"Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee; a TVA local power distributor (municipal division of the City of Memphis), outside Tennessee Public Utility Commission retail jurisdiction","notice_days":null,"reconnection_fee":"$58.00 residential reconnection charge for delinquent accounts (any combination of electric, gas and/or water), for same-day or next-day reconnection of service, per MLGW's Common Schedule of Charges (2026)","assistance_programs":"MLGW's own Customer Care Policy Manual describes a Payment Arrangement program, a two-part Extended Due Date Payment option, a Deferred Payment Plan (DEFB), and a Winter Moratorium suspending disconnection for qualifying senior (60+) or Social-Security-disability customers Dec. 1-Mar. 1.","shutoff_rules_notes":"MLGW is a TVA local power distributor operated by the City of Memphis, not an investor-owned utility. The Tennessee Public Utility Commission's own published List of Electric Utilities names only Appalachian Power Company, Entergy Arkansas, LLC and Kingsport Power Company, so MLGW is outside TPUC retail jurisdiction and is governed by its own Board-approved policy rather than the statewide 7-day TPUC notice rule. MLGW's 2025 Customer Care Policy Manual (effective June 1, 2025), Section 113.00, says MLGW mails a written notice of intent to disconnect approximately two business days after the bill's due date. No flat notice period is stated anywhere in the manual, so notice_days is null. The manual's own example timelines (Exhibit C, 'Timeline for Residential B-Rated and General Power Customers') count in workdays: bill rendered Day 1, due Day 12, late fees Day 13, disconnection notice mailed Day 14, first metered service (usually electric) disconnected Day 25 - an 11-workday gap in that example only, not a rule, and not recorded as a day count. Section 115.00 suspends disconnection Dec. 1-Mar. 1 for qualifying customers 60+ or receiving SSA disability benefits; Section 115.10 defers disconnection Dec. 15-Jan. 14; Section 115.20 suspends it in extreme heat or cold.","source_url":"https://www.mlgw.com/images/content/files/pdf/CustomerCarePolicy.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"MLGW 2025 Customer Care Policy Manual for Residential and General Power Customers (effective June 1, 2025), Sections 108.00-115.20 and Exhibit C; reconnection charge from MLGW's Common Schedule of Charges 2026, https://www.mlgw.com/images/content/files/pdf/ScheduleofCharges.pdf, Section A.2 (both fetched 2026-09-22)"},{"name":"Nashville Electric Service (NES)","service_area":"Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee; a TVA local power distributor (municipal utility) outside Tennessee Public Utility Commission retail jurisdiction","notice_days":7,"reconnection_fee":"$33.00 residential reconnect at the meter after cut-off for non-payment during business hours (weekdays 6:00 AM-10:00 PM, Saturday 7:00 AM-5:00 PM); $175.00 for residential and commercial reconnects at all other hours; reconnects performed at the pole are $250.00 business hours / $365.00 all other hours, per NES's Schedule of Fees and Charges, Section 7.0 (Modified October 2023)","assistance_programs":"Project Help, administered by NeedLink Nashville, lets customers add $1 or more to their monthly payment to help low-income customers with energy costs (Sec. 4.6); a Life Support / Critical Referral account coding that gives those accounts special handling prior to disconnection (Sec. 4.2); and Third Party Notification, under which NES mails a copy of the bill to another person or agency (Sec. 4.3) - all in NES's own Customer Relations Policies manual.","shutoff_rules_notes":"NES is a TVA local power distributor (a department of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County), not an investor-owned utility, and it is absent from the Tennessee Public Utility Commission's own published List of Electric Utilities, so the statewide TPUC 7-day rule does not bind it. NES's own Customer Relations Policies manual (Approved 11/2025), Section 1.16, lists among the grounds on which NES may discontinue service: 'Nonpayment of bills or deposits upon seven (7) days' notice to customer.' That is NES's own policy, matching the state standard by choice rather than by TPUC compulsion. Section 1.10(3) separately provides that an account interrupted for non-payment that remains unpaid after seven (7) days will be terminated outright, the deposit applied and a final bill issued. The manual states days, not working days.","source_url":"https://www.nespower.com/-/media/project/nes/common/pdfs/policies/customer-relations-policy-manual-112025.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Nashville Electric Service Customer Relations Policies manual (Approved 11/2025), Sections 1.10, 1.16, 1.19 and 4.2-4.6; fees from NES's Schedule of Fees and Charges, Section 7.0 (Modified October 2023), https://www.nespower.com/-/media/project/nes/common/pdfs/commercial-rates/2023/schedule-of-fees-2023-10.pdf - both linked from nespower.com/legal/policies/ and fetched 2026-09-22"},{"name":"Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB)","service_area":"Knoxville and parts of surrounding East Tennessee counties; a TVA local power distributor (an independent board of the City of Knoxville) outside Tennessee Public Utility Commission retail jurisdiction","notice_days":null,"reconnection_fee":"$40.00 residential reconnection during business hours; $80.00 residential reconnection outside business hours (any combination of electric, gas and/or water), per KUB's Electric Division Service Procedures, January 2025","assistance_programs":"Project Help, a donation-funded heating-assistance program, and a bill round-up option supporting weatherization for low-income households (both described on KUB's own Bills & Payments page); a Levelized Billing Plan and the budget payment plan at Service Procedures Sec. 6.4; special counseling for customers in hardship or emergency circumstances and the Medical Priority Program, which postpones termination ten (10) days from the scheduled date on a certified Medical Necessity Form (Sec. 8.1.2).","shutoff_rules_notes":"KUB is a TVA local power distributor governed by its own Board, not the Tennessee Public Utility Commission, and it does not appear on TPUC's own published List of Electric Utilities. KUB's Electric Division Service Procedures (January 2025), Section 8.1.1, set a two-step schedule rather than a fixed notice period: (a) a termination-of-service notice is included on the customer's next bill after the account becomes delinquent, delivered by mail or electronically, and (b) on the expiration date printed in that notice a KUB representative delivers a further notice at the premises giving the customer a one (1) day termination notice, after which service may be terminated immediately. Because the interval between the billed notice and disconnection depends on the customer's own billing cycle, no single day count exists and notice_days is null rather than estimated. Section 8.1.8 allows termination to be suspended in extreme weather (above about 92F or below 32F). Reconnection fees are from the Service Order Charges and Fees schedule in the same document.","source_url":"https://www.kub.org/uploads/Electric_SP_-_01_2025.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Knoxville Utilities Board Electric Division Service Procedures, January 2025, Sections 6.4, 8.1.1-8.1.8 and the Service Order Charges and Fees schedule; programs cross-checked on kub.org/bills-payments (fetched 2026-09-22)"},{"name":"EPB (Electric Power Board of Chattanooga)","service_area":"Chattanooga and surrounding Hamilton County, Tennessee; an independent board of the City of Chattanooga and TVA local power distributor, outside Tennessee Public Utility Commission retail jurisdiction","notice_days":5,"reconnection_fee":"$35.00 to reconnect after disconnection for nonpayment; Pre-Pay Power accounts reconnect without a fee once the prepay balance reaches $50 (per EPB's own customer FAQ)","assistance_programs":"EPB PowerShare, a fund providing temporary assistance to Hamilton County families with their electric bill, distributed by United Way; EPB Pre-Pay Power, which carries no late fees, no disconnect or reconnect fee and no security deposit; LIHEAP referral and a list of local Chattanooga financial-assistance agencies - all on EPB's own Payment Assistance Programs page.","shutoff_rules_notes":"EPB is a TVA local power distributor operated as an independent board of the City of Chattanooga, not an investor-owned utility, and it does not appear on the Tennessee Public Utility Commission's own List of Electric Utilities, so the statewide TPUC rule does not bind it. EPB's own Schedule of Electric Rules and Regulations (Revised August 2021), under 'Termination of Service by EPB', states that 'Service may not be discontinued except after giving to the Customer five (5) days prior written notice and including in the notice EPB contact information and procedures to dispute the reason for discontinuance'; the billing section separately says EPB may discontinue service 'upon five (5) days written notice' once a bill is unpaid. Five days, not five working days. EPB's own billing FAQ describes the practical sequence differently - a reminder notice is mailed after the account goes delinquent and 'payment must be received by EPB Electric Power within seven days of this reminder notice in order to avoid disconnection' - so a customer may in practice see a longer window, but five days is the minimum EPB's tariff commits to. Disconnection for nonpayment is postponed when the Chattanooga forecast high exceeds 100F or is expected below 32F. The $35.00 reconnection fee is stated on EPB's own support FAQ, a separate document from the Rules and Regulations.","source_url":"https://epb.com/documents/27/EPB_Rules_and_Regulations_FINAL_062722.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"EPB Schedule of Electric Rules and Regulations (Revised August 2021), Billing and Termination of Service sections; reconnection fee and the seven-day reminder-notice description from EPB's own Support FAQ at epb.com/support/topic/billing-payment/; programs from epb.com/billing-services/payment-assistance-programs/ (all fetched 2026-09-22)"},{"name":"Kingsport Power Company d/b/a AEP Appalachian Power","service_area":"Kingsport and the surrounding area of Northeast Tennessee; an investor-owned electric utility and one of only three entities named on the Tennessee Public Utility Commission's own published List of Electric Utilities","notice_days":7,"reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Kingsport Power Company (d/b/a AEP Appalachian Power) is one of only three entities on the Tennessee Public Utility Commission's own published List of Electric Utilities, together with Appalachian Power Company and Entergy Arkansas, LLC. Tennessee's much larger electric utilities - MLGW, NES, KUB and EPB - are TVA local power distributors and municipal bodies that the same TPUC list omits, so they are outside TPUC retail jurisdiction. As a TPUC-jurisdictional electric utility, Kingsport Power is subject to Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-04-04-.19(2)(a)3, which requires that 'the date of the proposed termination by the utility shall be at least seven (7) days after the utility sends the notice by first class mail'; the rule is current, its history showing amendments filed 1987 and October 2000 and no repeal. Seven calendar days, running from mailing, not from receipt. No current approved Kingsport Power tariff sheet could be fetched: appalachianpower.com serves its Tennessee rate pages as a JavaScript shell with no extractable text and its linked Tennessee tariff PDFs return 404. The only reconnection figures reachable are from Consumer Advocate direct testimony in TPUC Docket No. 21-00107 (filed December 2021), which states the then-current charge to reconnect service was $50.00 and that the company proposed reducing it to $20.00 for advanced meters and raising it to $75.00 for traditional meters. Because that is contested testimony rather than an approved tariff, and no order setting the final figure was reachable, reconnection_fee is null. No Tennessee bill-assistance program could be confirmed on a primary source for this utility, so assistance_programs is null rather than naming an unverified one.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/tennessee/Tenn-Comp-R-Regs-1220-04-04-.19","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-04-04-.19 (Reasons for Denying Service), Chapter 1220-04-04, Regulations for Electric Companies, on Cornell LII; jurisdiction from TPUC's own List of Electric Utilities (tn.gov/tpuc); reconnection-charge dispute from Direct Testimony of William H. Novak for the Consumer Advocate Unit, TPUC Docket No. 21-00107, https://tpucdockets.tn.gov/archive/filings/2021/2100107bd.pdf (all fetched 2026-09-22)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Spire Tennessee Inc. (formerly Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc.)","service_area":"Nashville and Middle Tennessee. The Tennessee gas operations formerly certificated to Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. are now tariffed under the Spire Tennessee Inc. name; documents and customer-facing pages still appear under the Piedmont Natural Gas brand at piedmontng.com.","notice_days":7,"reconnection_fee":"$55.00 (February-August) or $85.00 (September-January) seasonal charge to turn a residential meter back on after a nonpayment disconnection or a seasonal turn-off, per Spire Tennessee's current Tennessee Service Regulations","assistance_programs":"Share the Warmth, which piedmontng.com describes as allowing 'Piedmont, our community partners and our customers to help families in need pay their energy bills', and an Equal Payment Plan that levels seasonal bill swings (both on the company's own site). The tariff itself commits the company, on request for help paying a bill, to give the customer a list of community agencies that provide aid and in some cases to offer alternative pay arrangements, and to send a copy of any termination notice to a third party the customer designates.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Its current Tennessee Service Regulations are filed under the name Spire Tennessee Inc., effective April 1, 2026, and hosted on piedmontng.com. TPUC's own published List of Gas Utilities still names 'Piedmont Natural Gas Co.', so the two names should be read as the same regulated business. The joint application in TPUC Docket No. 25-00074 asked the Commission to transfer Piedmont's authority to provide utility service in Tennessee to Spire Tennessee Inc., a newly formed Spire subsidiary, and asked for approval on or before March 1, 2026 so the transaction could close during the first quarter of 2026; the application is the source for the transfer, not for any particular closing date. On notice, the tariff does not state its own day count - it says 'Notice of termination of Service to the Customer will be provided by the Company in accordance with Commission Rules, Regulations and Orders', which is the statewide gas rule at Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-04-05-.18(2)(a)3: 'The date of the proposed termination by the utility shall be at least seven (7) days after the utility sends the notice by first class mail.' Seven calendar days from mailing. The tariff's separate right to terminate a customer more than twenty (20) days in arrears, counted from the date the bill was rendered, is an arrears threshold and not the notice period. Service will not be terminated in any 24-hour period, measured from 8:00 am on the planned termination date, when the National Weather Service forecast low is 32F or below, and termination is delayed thirty (30) days on written certification by a physician, public health officer or social service official that it would worsen an existing medical emergency.","source_url":"https://www.piedmontng.com/-/media/pdfs/png/tn-tariffandserviceregulations.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Spire Tennessee Inc. Tennessee Service Regulations, Section 1 (Termination of Service, Reinstating Service, Medical Emergencies, Notice of Rights and Remedies) and Section 6, item 10 (Reconnection Charge), Effective April 1, 2026; notice period from Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-04-05-.18 on Cornell LII; transfer from the joint application in TPUC Docket No. 25-00074, https://tpucdockets.tn.gov/archive/filings/2025/2500074.pdf; utility status from TPUC's own List of Gas Utilities (all fetched 2026-09-22)"},{"name":"Chattanooga Gas Company","service_area":"Hamilton and Bradley Counties, Tennessee (Chattanooga area); a Southern Company Gas subsidiary regulated by the Tennessee Public Utility Commission","notice_days":7,"reconnection_fee":"$65.00 for residential reconnection after a service-suspension notice for nonpayment; $50.00 for other (non-residential) customers, per Chattanooga Gas's TPUC-filed Rules & Regulations tariff","assistance_programs":"Shield of Warmth, which chattanoogagas.com describes as offering bill payment assistance grants to Chattanooga Gas customers who qualify; a Budget Plan (levelized billing) and a Deferred Payment Arrangement, both linked from the company's own Bill Payment Assistance pages.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Chattanooga Gas Company is on the Tennessee Public Utility Commission's own published List of Gas Utilities. Its TPUC-filed tariff (TPUC No. 2, Rules & Regulations, Fifth Revised Sheet No. 6, issued April 19, 2024 and effective September 1, 2024, carried in the July 2026 consolidated tariff package) states: 'If the Customer shall fail to pay bill after it has become delinquent, the Company may, seven (7) days after notice to the Customer, discontinue service and apply any deposit made by the Customer in liquidation of such bill.' Seven calendar days, consistent with the statewide gas rule at Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-04-05-.18. Residential bills are due about twenty-one (21) days from the billing date for cycle-billed customers, after which a 5% late charge applies and the account becomes delinquent. The same sheet sets the reconnection charge after a service-suspension notice for non-payment at $65.00 for a Residential Customer and $50.00 for other customers, and requires a deposit. Service will not be discontinued on a day, or a day preceding a day, when the company is not available to reconnect, nor during any 24-hour period measured from 8:00 am on the planned termination date when the National Weather Service forecast low is 32F or below.","source_url":"https://www.chattanoogagas.com/content/dam/southern-co-gas/chattanooga-gas/docs/rates/2026-rates-and-tariffs/july-2026/cgc-tariff-july-2026.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Chattanooga Gas Company, TPUC No. 2, Rules & Regulations, Fifth Revised Sheet No. 6 (issued April 19, 2024, effective September 1, 2024) within the July 2026 consolidated tariff package; service territory from the same tariff ('Hamilton and Bradley Counties, Tennessee'); programs from chattanoogagas.com (fetched 2026-09-22)"},{"name":"Atmos Energy Corporation (Tennessee Division)","service_area":"Outlying communities in West, Middle and East Tennessee, listed in the tariff's own Areas Served section as four areas: Union City and adjacent areas in Obion County; Columbia, Shelbyville, Lynchburg and Maryville-Alcoa in Maury, Bedford, Moore and Blount Counties; Franklin, Murfreesboro and Nolensville in Rutherford and Williamson Counties; and Johnson City, Elizabethton, Greeneville, Kingsport, Morristown and Bristol in Hamblen, Sullivan, Carter, Washington and Greene Counties. Atmos does not serve Nashville (Spire Tennessee/Piedmont) or Chattanooga (Chattanooga Gas).","notice_days":7,"reconnection_fee":"$40 activation charge during normal business hours, which the tariff applies to all meter turn-ons at existing locations and all reconnections of gas service; additional charges may apply if after-hours service is requested, but the tariff states no after-hours amount","assistance_programs":"The Tennessee tariff's Senior Citizen - Low Income Discount waives the customer charge and the activation charge for certified customers aged 65 or older with total household income of $12,000 or less per year (Rate Schedule 210). The General Rules also require the company, when postponing a termination for a certified medical emergency, to refer the customer to social service agencies and to supply the names of agencies providing assistance. No Atmos-run Tennessee hardship fund could be confirmed on a primary source: the only LIHEAP reference in the Tennessee tariff is an exclusion, making LIHEAP-funded residential customers ineligible for the voluntary SmartChoice Carbon Offset rider, and Atmos's national Sharing the Warmth page carries no Tennessee content.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Atmos Energy Corporation is on the Tennessee Public Utility Commission's own published List of Gas Utilities. Its Tennessee tariff (T.P.U.C. No. 1, General Rules and Regulations Sec. 5.4(a), 5th Revised Sheet No. 60, cancelling the 4th, issued January 29, 2024 and effective for bills rendered on and after March 1, 2024) states: 'Prior reasonable notice will be sent to a Customer informing of the date of any proposed termination of Gas Service unless such Customer takes appropriate action. The date of the proposed termination shall be at least seven (7) days after the Company sends the notice by first class mail.' Seven calendar days, running from mailing rather than receipt, matching the statewide gas rule at Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-04-05-.18. Section 5.3 on the same sheet sets an activation charge of $40 during normal business hours that 'will apply to all meter turn-ons at existing locations and all reconnections of Gas Service', with additional charges possible if after-hours service is requested; the tariff does not state an after-hours amount, so none is recorded. Section 5.4(b) postpones physical termination for thirty (30) days when a physician, public health officer or social service official certifies in writing that it would aggravate an existing medical emergency, and 5.4(d) lets the customer designate a third party to receive a duplicate of any termination notice.","source_url":"https://www.atmosenergy.com/static/a10d511698314c6db00bd4ffa5275315/Tennessee%20Tariffs%20-%20November%202025.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Atmos Energy Corporation, T.P.U.C. No. 1, General Rules and Regulations Sections 5.3-5.4, 5th Revised Sheet No. 60 (issued January 29, 2024, effective for bills rendered on and after March 1, 2024); service areas from the same tariff's Areas Served section; Senior Citizen - Low Income Discount from Rate Schedule 210, 16th Revised Sheet No. 6 (effective June 1, 2023); utility status from TPUC's own List of Gas Utilities (all fetched 2026-09-22)"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Tennessee-American Water Company","service_area":"Chattanooga and Hamilton County, Tennessee, plus the separately tariffed Lookout Mountain, Elder Mountain, Suck Creek (Marion County) and Challet Village North (Sevier County) systems and territory in Lakeview and other unincorporated areas of northwest Georgia east of Rossville; an investor-owned water utility on the Tennessee Public Utility Commission's own List of Water and Waste Water Utilities.","notice_days":7,"reconnection_fee":"$30.00 standard disconnection-reconnection charge for nonpayment, plus an additional $40.00 after-hours reconnection fee (TPUC No. 20, Original Sheet No. 12, effective January 21, 2025)","assistance_programs":"Project Water Help, an emergency assistance program created by Tennessee American Water, funded by customer donations added to the bill and distributed through United Way's 211 help line, serving customers in Hamilton, Sequatchie and Marion Counties in Tennessee and in northwest Georgia; plus a Bill Payment Arrangement Plan for paying a balance over time and free Budget Billing for eligible residential customers - all on the company's own Customer Assistance Programs page. (The company's earlier 'H2O Help to Others' branding is not the name used on its current Tennessee page, so it is not cited here.)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Tennessee-American Water Company is the state's investor-owned water utility on TPUC's own published List of Water and Waste Water Utilities. Its TPUC-filed Rules and Regulations, Section 15.4(a) (Notice and procedure for Involuntary Disconnection), state that 'service to any Customer shall not be disconnected for a violation of any rule or regulation of the Company or for the nonpayment of a bill, except after seven (7) days prior written notice to such Customer.' Seven calendar days, matching the statewide water rule at Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-04-03-.19(1), which allows the customer 'at least seven (7) days following mailing' to comply. Section 15.4(b) limits actual disconnection to between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and 15.4(c) bars disconnection on a day, or a day immediately preceding a day, when the company is not available to reconnect. The company's rate tariff (TPUC No. 20, Original Sheet No. 12, issued and effective January 21, 2025) sets a $30.00 disconnection-reconnection charge for non-payment, a $40.00 after-hours reconnection fee in addition to the standard charge, and a $92.00 meter-tampering penalty where a customer re-establishes service illegally. Nashville's Metro Water Services and MLGW's Memphis water division are municipal systems outside TPUC jurisdiction and are not covered here.","source_url":"https://www.amwater.com/tnaw/resources/pdf/Customer-Service/Your-Water-Rates/TRA_Rates_and_Rules.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Tennessee-American Water Company Rates and Rules tariff: Rules and Regulations Sections 15.4 and 16 (TPUC No. 20, Original Sheet No. 35, effective January 21, 2025) and the Disconnection-Reconnection Charge on TPUC No. 20, Original Sheet No. 12 (issued and effective January 21, 2025); statewide rule at Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-04-03-.19 on Cornell LII; programs from amwater.com/tnaw Customer Assistance Programs page (all fetched 2026-09-22)"}]},{"state_name":"Texas","state_code":"TX","slug":"texas-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Weak","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":5,"water_notice_days":10,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No statewide winter moratorium (Texas deregulated electricity market). Disconnection date must be 10 days from notice issuance and may not fall on a holiday or weekend unless the REP has staff available and can reconnect service. February 2021 Winter Storm Uri resulted in catastrophic failures that spurred legislation but did not establish a statewide moratorium.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Life support customers have a postponement period — utilities must delay disconnection when the account holder provides a medical certification that a household member is dependent on life support equipment. REPs must maintain life support customer lists.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by REP","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"PUCT requires REPs to offer LITE-UP Texas discount rates to income-qualified customers. LIHEAP available through Texas HHSC. Deferred Payment Plans are required for customers with financial hardship.","state_puc_url":"https://www.puc.texas.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Oncor Electric Delivery (TDU territory — REP rules apply)","service_area":"North/Central Texas including Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, approximately 13 million customers across 400+ cities","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Texas has a deregulated electricity market. Oncor is the TDU (wires owner) but does not bill residential customers; Retail Electric Providers (REPs) handle billing and initiate disconnections under PUCT Substantive Rule 25.483. REPs must provide written disconnection notice at least 10 days after the notice is issued. Disconnection is prohibited on holidays, weekends, or the day immediately preceding them (unless REP staff are available for payments and reconnections), and during declared extreme weather emergencies (temperatures ≤32°F or active NWS heat advisories). Critical Care residential customers must receive 21-day advance notice and are eligible for a 63-day medical protection period. Reconnection must be completed within 48 hours after payment.","reconnection_fee":"TDU pass-through per Oncor tariff (approx. $0.35 for standard meter reconnect; REP may pass to customer)","assistance_programs":"CEAP (Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program), LIHEAP, Texas Utility Help; energy assistance provider pledges prevent disconnection under PUCT R.25.483","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/16-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-25-483","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.483 - Disconnection of Service"},{"name":"CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (TDU territory — REP rules apply)","service_area":"Greater Houston area and surrounding counties in Southeast Texas","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric is the TDU for the Houston area but does not bill residential customers directly; REPs operate under PUCT Rule 25.483. REPs must provide a minimum 10-day written disconnection notice. Disconnection is prohibited on holidays, weekends, or the immediately preceding day unless REP staff are available, and is suspended during extreme weather emergencies (≤32°F or NWS heat advisory). Critical Care customers require 21-day advance notice and a 63-day medical protection period. Reconnection must occur within 48 hours of payment.","reconnection_fee":"TDU pass-through per CenterPoint Houston Electric tariff (contact REP for current amount)","assistance_programs":"CEAP, LIHEAP, Texas Utility Help; energy assistance provider pledges prevent disconnection under PUCT R.25.483","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/16-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-25-483","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.483 - Disconnection of Service"},{"name":"AEP Texas Central (TDU territory — REP rules apply)","service_area":"South and West Texas including Corpus Christi, Laredo, and surrounding areas","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"AEP Texas Central is the TDU for South/West Texas but does not bill residential customers; REPs operate under PUCT Rule 25.483. A minimum 10-day written disconnection notice is required. Disconnection is prohibited on holidays, weekends, or the day immediately preceding them, and during extreme weather emergencies. Critical Care residential customers receive 21-day advance notice and a 63-day medical protection period. Reconnection must be completed within 48 hours of payment.","reconnection_fee":"TDU pass-through per AEP Texas Central tariff (contact REP for current amount)","assistance_programs":"CEAP, LIHEAP, Texas Utility Help; energy assistance provider pledges prevent disconnection under PUCT R.25.483","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/16-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-25-483","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.483 - Disconnection of Service"},{"name":"AEP Texas North (TDU territory — REP rules apply)","service_area":"Northwest Texas including Abilene, Lubbock area, and surrounding rural counties","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"AEP Texas North is the TDU for Northwest Texas but does not bill residential customers; REPs operate under PUCT Rule 25.483. A minimum 10-day written disconnection notice is required. Disconnection is prohibited on holidays, weekends, or the day immediately preceding them, and during extreme weather emergencies. Critical Care residential customers receive 21-day advance notice and a 63-day medical protection period. Reconnection must be completed within 48 hours of payment.","reconnection_fee":"TDU pass-through per AEP Texas North tariff (contact REP for current amount)","assistance_programs":"CEAP, LIHEAP, Texas Utility Help; energy assistance provider pledges prevent disconnection under PUCT R.25.483","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/16-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-25-483","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.483 - Disconnection of Service"},{"name":"Texas-New Mexico Power (TNMP) (TDU territory — REP rules apply)","service_area":"Parts of Southeast Texas, West Texas, and the Texas Panhandle","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"TNMP is the TDU for its service area but does not bill residential customers; REPs operate under PUCT Rule 25.483. A minimum 10-day written disconnection notice is required. Disconnection is prohibited on holidays, weekends, or the day immediately preceding them, and during extreme weather emergencies. Critical Care residential customers receive 21-day advance notice and a 63-day medical protection period. Reconnection must be completed within 48 hours of payment.","reconnection_fee":"TDU pass-through per TNMP tariff (contact REP for current amount)","assistance_programs":"CEAP, LIHEAP, Texas Utility Help; energy assistance provider pledges prevent disconnection under PUCT R.25.483","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/16-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-25-483","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.483 - Disconnection of Service"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Atmos Energy Corporation","service_area":"Texas statewide including Dallas–Fort Worth, West Texas, and other regions; largest natural gas distributor in Texas","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) under 16 TAC 7.45. Written termination notice must be provided at least 5 working days prior to the stated disconnection date, prominently labeled 'Termination Notice' in English and Spanish as needed (confirmed in the current rule text at law.cornell.edu's mirror of 16 Tex. Admin. Code 7.45(4)(C)). Disconnection is prohibited on weekends unless personnel are available to take payments and reconnect service, and during extreme weather emergencies under 16 TAC 7.460. Atmos's Mid-Tex division tariff (the division covering Dallas-Fort Worth) sets a $65.00 Connection Charge for reconnecting gas service after disconnection for nonpayment during business hours, and $97.00 after hours; the $40 figure previously shown here does not appear in this tariff and has been corrected. Accounts more than 21 days past due are subject to disconnection.","reconnection_fee":"$65.00 during business hours; $97.00 after hours (Mid-Tex division rate; may vary by division)","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP, local energy assistance agencies (searchable via atmosenergy.com)","source_url":"https://www.atmosenergy.com/static/1ff2604144327e3ef137c1a401b8b0a6/Mid-Tex%20Tariffs%20-%20March%201,%202026.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Atmos Energy Mid-Tex Division Tariffs, Rate Schedule M (Miscellaneous Charges), effective March 1, 2026","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"CenterPoint Energy Resources (Houston Gas Division)","service_area":"Greater Houston area and parts of South Texas for natural gas distribution","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by Railroad Commission of Texas under 16 TAC 7.45. Written termination notice must be provided at least 5 working days prior to the stated disconnection date per RRC rules (16 Tex. Admin. Code 7.45(4)(C)). Disconnection is prohibited on weekends unless personnel are available to receive payments and reconnect. Extreme weather disconnection suspension applies under 16 TAC 7.460. The Houston Division's filed miscellaneous service charge schedule sets the charge to restore gas service after termination for nonpayment at $40.00, plus a $47.00 after-hours surcharge. The previously shown $3 remote-reconnect figure belongs to CenterPoint's Houston electric service, not gas, and has been corrected.","reconnection_fee":"$40.00 during business hours; $47.00 after-hours surcharge","assistance_programs":"CEAP, LIHEAP; call 800-227-1376 for payment arrangements","source_url":"https://portalvhdskzlfb8q9lqr9.blob.core.windows.net/media/18669/misc-9servicechargesrevisedexamrec.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. d/b/a CenterPoint Energy Entex, Houston Division, Schedule of Miscellaneous Service Charges (Rate Schedule No. MISC-9), RRC GUD No. 9902 exhibit"},{"name":"Texas Gas Service (a division of ONE Gas)","service_area":"Central Texas, Rio Grande Valley, and other parts of Texas (approximately 640,000 customers)","notice_days":5,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by Railroad Commission of Texas under 16 TAC 7.45. Written termination notice must be provided at least 5 working days prior to the stated disconnection date. Disconnection is prohibited before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. on any day, or on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, a holiday, or the day before a holiday, unless company personnel are available the following day to reconnect service. Extreme weather disconnection suspension applies under 16 TAC 7.460. The Central Texas (Austin) service area tariff sets the Reconnect Fee at $25.00, the same as the Standard Initiation Fee for new service; the fee may be charged again for each additional call if the condition causing disconnection was not properly corrected, and no fee applies when reconnection follows a company-caused disconnection. The company's own FAQ page renders as a client-side shell with none of this content; re-sourced to the filed tariff. If service has been disconnected for nonpayment, customers must call 800-700-2443 to arrange reconnection.","reconnection_fee":"$25.00 (Central Texas/Austin service area tariff; the fee equals the Standard Initiation Fee and may vary by service area)","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP, Share The Warmth program","source_url":"https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=128729","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Texas Gas Service Company, a Division of ONE Gas, Inc., Central Texas Service Area Gas Tariff, Sections 19.1-19.3 and 22.1"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Dallas Water Utilities (DWU)","service_area":"City of Dallas, Texas and some surrounding areas","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Dallas Water Utilities sends written notification when an account is past due; customers have 10 business days from receipt of the disconnection notice to pay the past-due balance or establish a payment plan to avoid disconnection. DWU's own utility-bill and rates pages do not state a reconnection fee; Dallas City Code Sec. 49-7 reportedly sets restoration charges by same-day or next-day timing, but the city's code library (codelibrary.amlegal.com) blocks automated access, so no dollar figure is confirmed here. Customers with past-due balances over 60 days can email dwupaymentplan@dallas.gov to establish up to a six-month payment plan. DWU resumed routine disconnections in September 2024 after pandemic-era suspensions.","reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":"Operation WaterShare (DWU hardship program), Texas Utility Help (texasutilityhelp.com), CEAP","source_url":"https://dallascityhall.com/departments/waterutilities/Pages/Understanding-your-Utility-Bill.aspx","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Water Utilities — Understanding your Utility Bill | Dallas City Hall"},{"name":"San Antonio Water System (SAWS)","service_area":"City of San Antonio and Bexar County, Texas","notice_days":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"SAWS sends disconnection notices to past-due accounts via phone calls and mail, including a final notice before disconnection. Full payment of the past-due balance is required before reconnection. Same-day service restoration after non-payment disconnection costs $35 for standard customers or $18 for customers enrolled in a SAWS Uplift Affordability Program. A meter trip fee of $12 ($6 for Uplift customers) applies to service visits. SAWS offers 14 different assistance programs through its SAWS Uplift initiative for income-qualified customers.","reconnection_fee":"$35 (same-day restoration); $18 for Uplift program customers","assistance_programs":"SAWS Uplift (14 programs, uplift.saws.org, 210-233-CARE)","source_url":"https://www.saws.org/service/water-sewer-rates/special-services-fees/","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"Special Services Fees — San Antonio Water System"},{"name":"Austin Water (City of Austin)","service_area":"City of Austin, Texas","notice_days":10,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Austin Water mails a written disconnection notice when an account is past due; customers have at least 10 business days from delivery of the disconnection notice before a disconnect order is issued. Reconnection requires payment of the full past-due balance plus a $25 reconnection fee charged on the next utility bill. A Medically Vulnerable Registry (MVR) is available for residents with life-sustaining equipment or serious medical conditions. Payment extensions and arrangements are available by calling 512-494-9400.","reconnection_fee":"$25","assistance_programs":"Medically Vulnerable Registry (MVR), CEAP, LIHEAP, payment extensions and arrangements","source_url":"https://coautilities.com/wps/wcm/connect/occ/coa/util/support/payment/payment-collection-faqs","source_date":"2026-05-16","source_title":"Collection FAQs — City of Austin Utilities","notice_days_basis":"business"}],"gas_notice_basis":"business"},{"state_name":"Utah","state_code":"UT","slug":"utah-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 15–March 15 moratorium for eligible households enrolled through PSC-regulated utilities. Requires customers to make and adhere to a payment plan. Applies only to utilities regulated by the Utah PSC (not municipal utilities). Life-support customers receive 30-calendar-day notice instead of the standard 10-day notice.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Life-support customers receive a 30-day notice period (vs. standard 10-day). A doctor's note or equivalent certification halts disconnection for households where service is medically necessary. Personal notification required at least 48 hours before termination during winter months (Oct 1–Mar 31).","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"HEAT (Home Energy Assistance Target) program / LIHEAP available through Utah DWS. Rocky Mountain Power and Questar Gas (now Dominion Energy Utah) offer low-income assistance programs. Moratorium enrollment through utility or Community Action Agency.","state_puc_url":"https://psc.utah.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-22","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp)","service_area":"Most of Utah, including the Salt Lake City/Wasatch Front metro area; investor-owned utility regulated by the Utah Public Service Commission, a division of PacifiCorp","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$30.00 for non-remote residential reconnection Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays); $100.00 for non-remote reconnection at all other times; $8.75 for remote reconnection where feasible; $75.00 tampering/unauthorized-reconnection charge (Electric Service Schedule No. 300, Regulation Charges, effective 4/25/2025 filing referenced, most recent sheet dated 2/25/2026)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed statewide by Utah Admin. Code R746-200-7 (chapter title: 'Residential Utility Service Rules for Electric, Gas, Water, and Sewer Utilities'), which applies to utilities under Utah PSC jurisdiction. Subsection G.1 requires: 'At least 10 calendar days before a proposed termination of residential utility service...a public utility shall give written notice of disconnection for nonpayment,' computed from the postmark or electronic-send date; 30 calendar days if the customer has filed a life-supporting-equipment statement. A further 48-hour good-faith notice is required before actual termination (G.2). VERIFIED: rockymountainpower.net serves only navigation with no tariff content, so the reconnection-fee figures were confirmed instead directly against the current PSC docket copy of Electric Service Schedule No. 300 (Docket 26-035-T04, filed 2/25/2026, effective 4/1/2026, hosted at pscdocs.utah.gov), which lists $30.00 non-remote residential reconnection Mon-Fri 8am-5pm excluding holidays, $100.00 non-remote at all other times, $8.75 remote reconnection where feasible, and a $75.00 tampering/unauthorized-reconnection charge. Source_url updated to the PSC's own docket copy rather than the utility's unreachable page.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (federal Home Energy Assistance Target/HEAT program) via Utah Dept. of Workforce Services; R746-200-7(E) bars disconnection for at least 30 days after a utility receives a HEAT Program payment/verification on the customer's behalf.","source_url":"https://pscdocs.utah.gov/electric/26docs/26035T04/344007Trf2-25-2026.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Utah PSC Docket 26-035-T04, Rocky Mountain Power Electric Service Schedule No. 300 (Regulation Charges), filed 2/25/2026, effective 4/1/2026; statewide notice rule at Utah Admin. Code R746-200-7 (law.cornell.edu)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Enbridge Gas Utah (formerly Dominion Energy Utah / Questar Gas Company)","service_area":"The Wasatch Front (Salt Lake City, Provo, Ogden, Logan) and central/eastern/southwestern Utah (Price, Roosevelt, Fillmore, Richfield, Cedar City, St. George); investor-owned utility regulated by the Utah Public Service Commission. Formerly Questar Gas Company, d/b/a Dominion Energy Utah; Enbridge Inc. completed its acquisition of Questar Gas from Dominion Energy on 6/3/2024 and rebranded the utility Enbridge Gas Utah. The prior 'Dominion Energy Utah' name/domain is no longer the correct operating entity.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$100.00 Same Day Reconnection Fee for restoring service after termination for nonpayment; a $15.00 standard Connection Fee (or $8.00 read-only connection fee) applies when service is otherwise re-initiated (Utah Natural Gas Tariff, PSCU 800, Miscellaneous Charges)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed statewide by Utah Admin. Code R746-200-7, the same PSC rule applicable to electric, gas, water, and sewer utilities under Commission jurisdiction. Requires at least 10 calendar days' written notice (computed from postmark/electronic-send date) before termination for nonpayment, 30 days if a life-supporting-equipment statement is on file, plus a further 48-hour good-faith notice before actual termination; confirmed independently in Enbridge's own tariff at Sec. 9.08 ('not less than 10 days' written notice' after a 20-day delinquency). VERIFIED: enbridgegas.com's rates page has no tariff document content, so the reconnection-fee figures were confirmed instead directly against the current PSC docket copy of the Utah Natural Gas Tariff PSCU 800 (Docket 25-057-06, filed 1/22/2026, hosted at pscdocs.utah.gov), which lists a $100.00 Same Day Reconnection Fee, a $15.00 Connection Fee, and an $8.00 Read-only Connection Fee under Miscellaneous Charges. Source_url updated to the PSC's own docket copy rather than the utility's page.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP/HEAT program via Utah Dept. of Workforce Services; R746-200-7(E) bars disconnection for 30 days after the utility receives a HEAT Program payment/verification for the household.","source_url":"https://pscdocs.utah.gov/gas/25docs/2505706/343493EGUAtt2PrpsdTrf1-22-2026.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"Utah PSC Docket 25-057-06, Enbridge Gas Utah Natural Gas Tariff PSCU 800, Miscellaneous Charges, filed 1/22/2026; statewide notice rule at Utah Admin. Code R746-200-7 (law.cornell.edu)"}]},{"state_name":"Vermont","state_code":"VT","slug":"vermont-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":14,"gas_notice_days":14,"water_notice_days":14,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–March 31: during winter, utilities must give 72 hours notice if served in person or 5 days if mailed before actual disconnection. Payment plans required to be offered as an alternative. Vermont PUC has broad discretionary authority to protect customers during harsh winters. Written notice must be delivered between 40 days after delinquency and no more than 20 days before the disconnection date, and no less than 14 days before.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical emergency postpones disconnection. Utilities must delay service termination when a member of the household has a condition that shutoff would make worse.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP / LEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) available through Vermont AHS. Green Mountain Power and Vermont Gas offer low-income discount programs. Vermont's small regulated utility market means strong PUC oversight of all disconnection practices.","state_puc_url":"https://puc.vermont.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-22","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Green Mountain Power","service_area":"Serves roughly three-quarters of Vermont outside Burlington; it does not serve New Hampshire)","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Vermont PUC Rule 3.300 (Sec. 3.301(C), amended eff. 7/21/06, still the current version per PUC's Current Rules and General Orders page) requires written disconnection notice mailed/delivered not more than 20 days nor less than 14 days before the first possible disconnection date, and only after 30+ days' delinquency. Winter (Nov 1-Mar 31) adds phone/personal-contact requirements and a 32°F/62-and-older protection. GMP's own tariff (V.P.U.C. Tariff No. 10, Terms and Conditions, eff. bills rendered on/after 6/21/2025) states: \"There shall be no charge for reconnection of Customer's service.\"","reconnection_fee":"No charge, per GMP's filed tariff (V.P.U.C. No. 10, Terms and Conditions, eff. 6/21/2025)","assistance_programs":null,"source_url":"https://puc.vermont.gov/sites/psbnew/files/doc_library/3300-disconnection-of-residential-service.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22"},{"name":"Burlington Electric Department","service_area":"Burlington, Vermont","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Vermont statute (30 V.S.A.) gives the PUC jurisdiction over the Burlington Electric Department, so PUC Rule 3.300's 14-20 day notice window (Sec. 3.301(C)) applies to BED the same as investor-owned utilities. BED's own \"Miscellaneous Service Fees\" schedule (effective 4/1/2026, burlingtonelectric.com/miscfees) lists a $26.00 reconnection fee (charged in place of the initial service fee when reconnection follows a service request); larger $577-$885 fees on the same schedule are for physical single/multi-meter disconnect-and-reconnect field visits, a different charge.","reconnection_fee":"$26.00 standard reconnection fee, per BED Miscellaneous Service Fees schedule effective 4/1/2026","assistance_programs":"BED's Energy Assistance Program gives a 12.5% bill discount to customers at or below 185% of the federal poverty level who document eligibility via VT Seasonal Fuel Assistance, 3SquaresVT, VGS Energy Assistance, or Section 8 (burlingtonelectric.com/help/)","source_url":"https://www.burlingtonelectric.com/miscfees/","source_date":"2026-09-22"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Vermont Gas Systems (Energir)","service_area":"Franklin, Chittenden and Addison counties, northwestern Vermont","notice_days":14,"shutoff_rules_notes":"VGS's own filed tariff (V.P.S.B. Gas Tariff, Terms and Conditions, Third Revised Sheet No. 8, issued 7/6/2004, eff. service rendered on/after 8/1/2004) states: \"The earliest disconnection date stated in the disconnect notice shall be at least fourteen (14) days and not more than twenty (20) days subsequent to the date of mailing.\" The same tariff's restoration-of-service provision (Third Revised Sheet No. 12, Section 25(E), same issue/effective dates) sets a $45.00 reconnection charge for restoration between 8am-4pm Mon-Fri (excl. holidays) after a nonpayment disconnection, and $55.00 for restoration outside those hours.","reconnection_fee":"$45.00 during business hours (8am-4pm Mon-Fri); $55.00 outside those hours, per VGS tariff (Third Revised Sheet No. 12, Section 25(E))","assistance_programs":"VGS Low Income Assistance Program: 20% discount on gas bills for customers under 185% of the federal poverty level, eligibility determined by VT Dept. for Children and Families (vgsvt.com/savings/assistance-programs/)","source_url":"https://vgsvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/General-Terms-Conditions-pages-2-to-14.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-22"}]},{"state_name":"Virginia","state_code":"VA","slug":"virginia-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No statewide winter moratorium. Virginia SCC does not have a blanket winter disconnection prohibition. Existing utility tariffs approved by the SCC contain protections for medically vulnerable customers. Good faith contact attempt required at least 1 day before disconnection (phone, email, or in-person).","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical certificate from a physician or public health official postpones shutoff for 30 to 60 days (varies by utility tariff); renewable. Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power tariffs include specific medical postponement provisions approved by the SCC.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"Dominion Energy Virginia and Appalachian Power both operate low-income assistance programs. LIHEAP available through Virginia DSS. Virginia has faced legislative debates about expanding winter protection rules.","state_puc_url":"https://www.scc.virginia.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Dominion Energy Virginia (Virginia Electric and Power Company / VEPCO)","service_area":"Northern Virginia, Richmond, Hampton Roads, and most of central Virginia — approximately 70% of the state; approximately 2.7 million customers","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$5.05 (smart meter/AMI); $22.64 (non-communicating digital meter)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Cannot disconnect for nonpayment until the account is 60 days in arrears (Va. Code 56-245.1:4). No disconnection when the forecast temperature is at or below 32F or at or above 92F within 24 hours of the scheduled disconnection (56-245.1:3). No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or the day before a state holiday. A medical certificate from a licensed physician or nurse practitioner postpones shutoff at least 30 days, usable up to twice per 12 months (20 VAC 5-330-40). Dominion's own tariff (Section XVII, filed 12-9-25, effective 1-1-26) sets the reconnection service charge at $5.05 for a residential customer with a communicating (AMI) meter and $22.64 for a residential customer with a non-communicating digital meter, matching the figures already on file. All notices must be given in English and Spanish. No disconnection within 30 days of a communicable disease public health emergency declaration.","assistance_programs":"PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Program): monthly bill capped at 10% of income (electric heat) or 6% (other heat) for income ≤150% FPL; no deposits or late fees; balance cleared after 12 on-time payments. EnergyShare: up to $600 (Oct 1–May 31 heating) or $300 (Jun 1–Sep 30 cooling); no income requirement; crisis-based; apply via 2-1-1. State LIHEAP/VEAP: heating benefit $181–$634; 150% FPL; apply Oct–Nov via CommonHelp (commonhelp.virginia.gov). State Crisis Assistance: Jan 1–Mar 15.","source_url":"https://www.dominionenergy.com/-/media/content/rates-and-tariffs/pdfs/virginia/shared/entire-filed-tariff.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Virginia Electric and Power Company Complete Filed Tariff (Terms and Conditions, Sections XVI-XVII)"},{"name":"Appalachian Power Company (APCo / AEP)","service_area":"Western and southwestern Virginia including Roanoke, Lynchburg, and coalfield counties; approximately 540,000 Virginia customers","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$20.00 (standard meter, remote reconnection); $60.00 (alternative meter, standard business hours or next business day); $85.00 (alternative meter, same-day 5-7 p.m.); $115.00 (alternative meter, expedited next non-business day)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Cannot disconnect for nonpayment until the account is 60 days in arrears (Va. Code 56-245.1:4). No disconnection when the forecast temperature is at or below 32F or at or above 92F within 24 hours of the scheduled disconnection (56-245.1:3). No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or the day before a state holiday. A medical certificate postpones shutoff at least 30 days, usable up to twice per 12 months (20 VAC 5-330-40). The SCC ordered Appalachian to submit a plan to reduce residential disconnections by March 2026 and directed an 18-month payment plan pilot. HB 2621 froze reconnection fees from July 1, 2025 through March 1, 2026; that freeze has since ended, and the reconnection charges below, confirmed against the company's own Virginia tariff, apply again.","assistance_programs":"Neighbor to Neighbor Program (Dollar Energy Fund): grants up to $300; income ≤150% FPL; balance ≥$100; prior payment effort ≥$100 in past 3 months; Oct 1–Sep 30; apply at dollarenergy.org. PIPP: income ≤150% FPL. EnergyShare: crisis-based; apply via 2-1-1 or call 800-956-4237. State LIHEAP/VEAP: $181–$634 heating; 150% FPL.","source_url":"https://www.appalachianpower.com/lib/docs/cleanenergy/electric-cars/APCoStandardTariff28-January12025SUTUpdate.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Virginia S.C.C. Tariff No. 28, Appalachian Power Company, Terms and Conditions of Standard Service"},{"name":"Old Dominion Power Company (Kentucky Utilities / LG&E KU Energy / PPL Corp)","service_area":"Far southwestern Virginia coalfield counties: City of Norton; Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, and Wise Counties; approximately 28,000 customers","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$53.00 (customers without a remote-capable/AMI meter, disconnected for nonpayment or Terms and Conditions violation); no charge for customers with remote disconnection/reconnection-capable meters or for customers qualifying for low-income energy assistance","shutoff_rules_notes":"Cannot disconnect for nonpayment until account is 60 days in arrears (Va. Code § 56-245.1:4). No disconnect when forecasted temperature ≤32°F or ≥92°F within 24 hours (§ 56-245.1:3). No disconnect on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or day before state holiday. No disconnect within 30 days of communicable disease public health emergency. Medical certificate postpones shutoff per 20 VAC 5-330-40. ODP's own current tariff (S.C.C. No. 20, Sheet 105, effective with service rendered on and after July 1, 2024) states, for residential nonpayment specifically, only that the Company follows the notice and disconnection-restriction requirements of Va. Code §§ 44-146.29:4, 56-245.1:3 and 56-245.1:4 (the 60-day arrears threshold and two-channel notice by mail/email/text/phone/door hanger) without separately restating a fixed day count there; the tariff's explicit \"at least ten (10) days written notice\" language appears one item earlier, for discontinuance due to a rules-and-regulations violation, and for non-residential customers' nonpayment terminations. Virginia's general utility statute (Va. Code § 56-247.1(A)(4)) independently requires that \"no electric or gas utility shall terminate a customer's service without 10 days' notice by mail,\" and this floor is not repealed by the newer nonpayment-specific statute, so notice_days of 10 is kept as the legally accurate figure for residential nonpayment as well, consistent with how Dominion Energy Virginia's own tariff (a sister Virginia utility) still explicitly retains a residential 10-day notice for nonpayment. Disconnecting and Reconnecting Service Charge: $53.00 for customers without a remote-capable meter who are disconnected for nonpayment or a Terms and Conditions violation; no charge for customers with remote disconnection/reconnection-capable (AMI) meters, and no charge for customers who qualify for low-income energy assistance.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (Virginia EAP): 150% FPL; $181–$634 heating benefit. Budget Payment Plan: customized monthly amounts based on 12-month average. EnergyShare: crisis-based; call 2-1-1.","source_url":"https://lge-ku.com/sites/default/files/regulatory/ODP-Electric-Rates-052926.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Old Dominion Power Company Electric Tariff, S.C.C. No. 20 (Terms and Conditions, Discontinuance of Service / Miscellaneous Service Charges)"},{"name":"NOVEC (Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative)","service_area":"Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, and surrounding northern Virginia counties; rural areas of Culpeper, Clarke, Frederick, Rappahannock, and Stafford counties","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$45 (plus $40 collection fee charged at disconnection)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Cannot disconnect until account is 60 days past due. Written notification on billing statement giving 10 days to pay (only written notice issued). Courtesy call made, then service may be disconnected after 2 additional days. No disconnect on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or day before state holiday (§ 56-245.1:3). No disconnect when temperature ≤32°F or ≥92°F within 24 hours. Medical certificate postpones shutoff per 20 VAC 5-330-40. Service restored next business day after payment (Mon–Fri 7:30am–4:00pm). $40 collection fee is charged at time of disconnection in addition to $45 reconnection fee.","assistance_programs":"LIHEAP (Virginia VEAP): 150% FPL; $181–$634 heating benefit; apply Oct–Nov via CommonHelp. EnergyShare: crisis-based; call 2-1-1.","source_url":"https://www.novec.com/Customer_Services/PaymentPolicies.cfm","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Payment Policies | NOVEC Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Columbia Gas of Virginia (NiSource)","service_area":"98 communities across approximately 65% of Virginia; more than 290,000 customers; headquartered in Chester (Chesterfield County); serves Richmond area and central/western Virginia","notice_days":null,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Cannot disconnect for nonpayment until account is 60 days in arrears (Va. Code § 56-245.1:4). No disconnect when forecasted temperature ≤32°F within 24 hours (§ 56-245.1:3 gas provision). No disconnect on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or day before state holiday. Medical certificate from licensed physician or nurse practitioner postpones shutoff minimum 30 days; usable up to 2 times per 12 months (20 VAC 5-330-40). Reconnect requires full past due balance + reconnection fee + security deposit; adult over 18 must be present. Reconnection fee amount not accessible from primary sources. NOTE: Columbia Gas of Virginia is a NiSource subsidiary — NOT related to Dominion Energy Virginia. Still operating under the Columbia Gas of Virginia brand.","assistance_programs":"Virginia Fuel Assistance (LIHEAP): $181–$634 heating benefit; 150% FPL; apply Oct–Nov via CommonHelp (commonhelp.virginia.gov) or 1-855-635-4370. LIHEAP Crisis Grants (HeatShare via Dollar Energy Fund): Nov 1–Mar 16; max $410 utility bill payment; 150% FPL. HeatShare (Dollar Energy Fund last resort): for those who have exhausted other assistance. Deferred payment arrangements available. Contact: 1-800-543-8911.","source_url":"https://www.columbiagasva.com/bills-and-payments/financial-support/shutoff-and-reconnect-process","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Shut Off and Reconnect Process — Columbia Gas of Virginia"},{"name":"Washington Gas (AltaGas)","service_area":"Northern Virginia and DC suburbs: Arlington, Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Spotsylvania, and Stafford counties; Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, and Manassas Park","notice_days":14,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Washington Gas provides written notice of termination at least 14 days before scheduled disconnection (higher than the 10-day tariff convention at other VA gas utilities). Notice must include: customer name, account number, service address, reasons for termination, scheduled date, reconnection charges, total amount due, customer rights, complaint contacts, and notification procedures for elderly/disabled occupants. Cannot disconnect when forecasted temperature ≤32°F within 24 hours (§ 56-245.1:3). Cannot disconnect on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or day before state holiday. Medical certificate postpones shutoff; reconnection for medically certified households does not require upfront payment (reconnect fee may appear on next bill). Alternative payment plans available for qualified customers.","assistance_programs":"Virginia Energy Assistance Program (VEAP/LIHEAP): 150% FPL; apply via CommonHelp or call 211. Weatherization Assistance Program: partners with Community Housing Partners; no-cost audits and upgrades; contact chpes@chpc2.org or 540-665-0200. Income Qualifying Energy Efficiency Program: no-cost audits and health/safety inspections. Washington Area Fuel Fund (WAFF): joint with Salvation Army; any fuel type; washingtonareafuelfund.org. Arrearage Management Program (AMP): 12-month plan with monthly arrearage forgiveness on on-time payment; contact DCAMP@washgas.com or 703-750-4399. EnergyShare: call 2-1-1.","source_url":"https://www.washingtongas.com/billing-and-payment/termination-policy-statement","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Termination Policy Statement — Washington Gas"},{"name":"Virginia Natural Gas (Southern Company Gas)","service_area":"Southeast Virginia — Hampton Roads region, Peninsula (James River north and south shores), and Middle Peninsula; more than 300,000 customers","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"VNG's own \"Residential Disconnection for Nonpayment Policy\" (posted July 1, 2024) states verbatim: \"VNG provides notices to residential customers of nonpayment of bills or fees ten (10) days prior to the date of a pending disconnection,\" by U.S. mail plus email and phone where available. No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or the day before a state holiday. No disconnection when the forecast temperature is at or below 32F within 24 hours of the scheduled disconnection. Disconnections suspended for the duration of a Governor-declared communicable-disease state of emergency. Policy is stated \"in accordance with Va. Code §§ 56-245.1:3, 56-245.1:4, 56-247.1\"; the last of these (§ 56-247.1(A)(4)) is the general requirement that no electric or gas utility terminate service without 10 days' mailed notice, confirming this is a real, currently-operative figure and not merely a historical one. reconnection_fee is null: VNG's customer-facing billing page states a $40 'seasonal connection and/or reconnection fee ... charged if service is disconnected and resumed within nine months,' but VNG's currently effective SCC-filed Schedule of Rates and Charges (filed 12-18-2025, superseding the September 2023 schedule) lists three different, larger figures instead — Service Reconnection Charge $25.00, Seasonal Reconnection Charge $50.00, Accelerated Reconnection Charge $50.00 — none of which is $40. This looks like the same failure mode PIPELINE.md warns about (a customer-facing page serving a stale figure the company's own newer filed tariff has superseded, as happened with Peoples Gas's reconnection charge in Illinois), but which of the three current charges corresponds to the old $40 description could not be determined with confidence this pass, so the field is left null rather than guessing.","assistance_programs":"EnergyShare (Salvation Army): grants for income-eligible customers, seniors, and veterans; appointments required; Hampton Roads 757-543-8100; Virginia Peninsula 757-838-4875; Central Virginia 804-225-7470. LIHEAP (VEAP): 150% FPL; $181–$634 heating benefit; apply Oct–Nov. Low Income Weatherization Program: Project HOMES (peninsula) and Community Housing Partners (southside). Budget Plan: equal monthly payments. Deferred Payment Arrangements available.","source_url":"https://www.virginianaturalgas.com/content/dam/southern-co-gas/virginianaturalgas/docs/residential/virginia-natural-gas-disconnection-policy-712024.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Virginia Natural Gas Residential Disconnection for Nonpayment Policy (posted July 1, 2024)"},{"name":"Roanoke Gas Company (RGC Resources)","service_area":"Roanoke Valley region: City of Roanoke and portions of Roanoke County, Bedford County, Botetourt County, and surrounding areas","notice_days":null,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Cannot disconnect for nonpayment until account is 60 days in arrears (Va. Code § 56-245.1:4). No disconnect when forecasted temperature ≤32°F within 24 hours (§ 56-245.1:3 gas provision). No disconnect on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or day before state holiday. Medical certificate postpones shutoff per 20 VAC 5-330-40. Reconnection requires: full past due balance + reconnection fee + security deposit; adult over 18 must be present; technician must light equipment (additional charge applies). Reconnection charge applies only when reconnection requested within 12 months of disconnection. Reconnection fee dollar amount not accessible from primary sources (Tariff No. 9 PDF was binary-unreadable). Call 540-777-4427 to schedule.","assistance_programs":"HeatShare (Salvation Army partnership): emergency heating assistance for low-income residents facing shutoff; contact (540) 343-5335. LIHEAP (VEAP): 150% FPL; apply Oct–Nov via CommonHelp. Budget Billing Plan: equal monthly payments. Local DSS offices: Roanoke City (540) 853-2591, Roanoke County (540) 387-6087, Bedford County (540) 586-7750, Botetourt County (540) 591-5960, Montgomery County (540) 382-6990. Dial 2-1-1 for referrals.","source_url":"https://www.roanokegas.com/gas-service-reconnection-process/","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Gas Service Reconnection Process — Roanoke Gas"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Virginia American Water (American Water Works / AWIA)","service_area":"Largest investor-owned water utility in Virginia; approximately 350,000 people in 42 communities including: City of Alexandria, Dale City/Prince William County, Hopewell, Waverly, Northern Neck, Cape Charles, and multiple other communities throughout the state","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Regulated by the Virginia SCC. Virginia-American Water's own current tariff (S.C.C. Va. No. 12, Rule No. 10, filed July 29, 2024, effective July 1, 2024) sets two tracks: (a) service for non-residential accounts, or for reasons other than nonpayment (waste, tampering, denied access, rule violations), may be discontinued after \"ten (10) days' written or printed notice\"; (b) residential accounts specifically may be discontinued once 60 days past due, after notice using at least two of mail, email, text message, phone call, or door hanger — the newer 2024 framework, which does not separately restate a fixed day count in that subsection. Virginia's general utility statute (Va. Code § 56-247.1(A)(6)) independently and specifically covers water utility nonpayment: \"A public utility providing water service shall not terminate service for nonpayment until it first sends the customer written notice by mail 10 days in advance of making the termination but, in no event, shall it terminate the customer's service until 20 days after the customer's bill has become due.\" This statute is not repealed by the newer 56-245.1:4 framework, so notice_days of 10 is kept as the legally accurate figure for residential nonpayment. No disconnection when the forecast temperature is at or above 92F within 24 hours (56-245.1:3's water provision carries no cold-weather protection). No disconnection on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or the day before a state holiday. A medical certificate postpones shutoff at least 30 days; a certified household's reconnection fee, if any, may appear on the next bill rather than being required upfront (20 VAC 5-330-40). Virginia American Water's general rate case (Case PUR-2025-00185, filed November 2025) settled June 9, 2026 for a smaller increase than originally requested, which mooted the previously stated 'reconnection fee rising to $30 pending SCC approval.' No current reachable tariff document states the resulting dollar figure, so reconnection_fee is left null rather than repeating either the old $25 or the now-superseded $30 proposal. Virginia American Water provides drinking water for the City of Alexandria (purchasing water from Fairfax Water); AlexRenew handles Alexandria wastewater only.","assistance_programs":"H2O Help to Others Program: grants up to $500/year; income ≤150% FPL ($1,956/month for 1 person; $2,643 for 2); must have received shutoff notice or be disconnected; minimum $50 paid in past 90 days; administered by Dollar Energy Fund; apply at dollarenergy.org/MyApp or 1-800-452-6863; Oct 1–Sep 30. LIHWAP: federal Low Income Household Water Assistance Program; 150% FPL; past-due balance required. Payment arrangements available by calling 1-800-452-6863.","source_url":"https://www.amwater.com/vaaw/Resources/PDF/Customer-Service/virginia_amwater_tariff.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Virginia-American Water Company Tariff, S.C.C. Va. No. 12 (Rules and Regulations, Rule No. 10 - Discontinuance of Service)"},{"name":"City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU)","service_area":"City of Richmond and portions of surrounding Richmond metropolitan area; more than 500,000 customers (water, wastewater, stormwater, and natural gas combined)","notice_days":null,"reconnection_fee":"$35.00 for same-day reconnection, if there is an opening in the schedule; otherwise service is restored the next day at no extra charge","shutoff_rules_notes":"Municipal utility not regulated by the Virginia SCC; governed by City of Richmond ordinances and Va. Code 15.2-2121.3. All shutoff orders between December 1 and March 31 are suspended, per DPU's own billing page, a broader protection than the statewide temperature thresholds. Municipal disconnection is prohibited until the account is 45 days in arrears (15.2-2121.3, a lower threshold than the 60-day rule for SCC-regulated utilities). No disconnection when the forecast temperature is at or above 92F within 24 hours, or on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or the day before a state holiday (56-245.1:3 applies broadly). DPU's own FAQ confirms that after a nonpayment shutoff, service is normally restored the next day after payment posts, or the same day for a $35.00 fee if there is an opening in the schedule. Late fees apply at 30+ days past due; collection activity starts at 90+ days delinquent. Payment plans available via PromisePay (12-month maximum after September 1, 2025).","assistance_programs":"MetroCare Water Program: up to $500/year per applicant (income-based). MetroCare Assistance Programs: up to $1,500/year maximum. PromisePay Payment Plans: interest-free, up to 12 months; enroll at Richmond.promise-pay.com. LIHWAP: federal water assistance program; DPU participates. Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled program. Contact: (804) 646-4646.","source_url":"https://www.rva.gov/PublicUtilities/FAQ","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Frequently Asked Questions - City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities"},{"name":"Newport News Waterworks","service_area":"City of Newport News and surrounding Peninsula communities in Hampton Roads region","notice_days":null,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Municipal utility NOT regulated by Virginia SCC. Governed by City of Newport News ordinances and Va. Code § 15.2-2121.3 (statutory minimum arrearage 45 days for municipal utilities). Newport News own policy is more protective: cannot disconnect until account is minimum 60 days in arrears (verbatim from delinquency policy — stricter than the 45-day statutory floor). Notice delivered before disconnection using at least one method (mail, email, text, phone, or door hanger). No disconnect when forecasted temperature ≥92°F within 24 hours (§ 56-245.1:3 applies). No disconnect on Fridays, weekends, state holidays, or day before state holiday. Reconnection: payments received after 2:00 PM may delay same-day reconnection to next business day if technician required. Payment plans: customers with balance ≥$50 automatically qualify for PromisePay interest-free payment plan; no fees, no late charges, no prepayment penalties. Reconnection fee dollar amount not found in accessible official sources.","assistance_programs":"PromisePay Payment Plans: interest-free, no fees; automatic qualification for balances ≥$50; call (757) 703-4005 or visit nnva.promise-pay.com. H2O (Help To Others) via Salvation Army: crisis-based water bill assistance for residents in personal/family financial crisis. LIHWAP: federal water assistance; Newport News DSS office participates; 150% FPL eligibility. Contact Waterworks: (757) 926-1000 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm.","source_url":"https://www.nnva.gov/2990/Delinquency-Policy-Summary","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Delinquency Policy Summary — Newport News Waterworks"}]},{"state_name":"Washington","state_code":"WA","slug":"washington-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":8,"gas_notice_days":8,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 15–March 15: utilities providing electricity or natural gas for home heating cannot discontinue service to low-income households for nonpayment, provided the customer complies with the provisions of the act. Effective July 23, 2023: electric and water utilities cannot disconnect residential electric or water service during heat-related events. Notice: 8 business days (WAC 480-100-128); 11 days if notice mailed from outside WA/OR/ID. A second electronic notice required at least 2 business days before disconnection.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Medical conditions and emergencies protect customers from disconnection. Low-income medical assistance exemptions built into WAC 480-100-128 notice requirements.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP administered by Washington DCYF. Puget Sound Energy and other utilities offer low-income rate assistance programs. Washington's 2023 expansion of heat-event protections to water utilities is notable. UTC consumer protection staff intervenes in thousands of potential disconnections annually.","state_puc_url":"https://www.utc.wa.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Puget Sound Energy (PSE) — Electric","service_area":"Puget Sound region, portions of western and central Washington; largest investor-owned electric utility in the state","notice_days":8,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"WAC 480-100-128 requires two written disconnection notices: the first delivered or mailed at least 8 business days before the disconnection date (11 days if mailed from outside WA, OR, or ID), the second at least 2 business days before. No disconnection on Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, or a day service cannot be restored the same or next day. A medical certificate gives a 5-business-day grace period; the customer must pay 10% of the delinquent balance and agree to pay the rest within 120 days. PSE's own assistance-programs page (which still backs the Bill Discount Rate, PSE HELP grant, and Past Due Bill Forgiveness figures below) does not state a notice-day count or a reconnection fee, so reconnection_fee is left null rather than repeating the previously stated, unconfirmed 'approximately $74.'","assistance_programs":"Bill Discount Rate (6 tiers based on income/household size/county; 13-month enrollment); PSE HELP grant program (once per program year, no repayment required; auto-applied with Bill Discount Rate application); Past Due Bill Forgiveness (up to $2,500 forgiven over 12 on-time payments; requires concurrent HELP and Bill Discount Rate enrollment); LIHEAP (up to ~$1,000 through county agencies); Salvation Army Warm Home Fund (emergency assistance); Income-Eligible Community Solar; Home Weatherization Assistance; Payment arrangements (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly).","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/washington/WAC-480-100-128","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Wash. Admin. Code § 480-100-128 - Discontinuation of service","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"Pacific Power (PacifiCorp WA) — Electric","service_area":"Eastern Washington, including Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, Yakima, and adjacent counties","notice_days":8,"reconnection_fee":"Per tariff Schedule 300 / Rule 11E (WN U-76); specific dollar amount not extractable from PDFs via automated fetch. WAC 480-100-128 governs notice and reconnection process; utility must restore service within 24 hours of payment or within 4 hours for remote disconnections.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by WAC 480-100-128 and Pacific Power Washington tariff (WN U-76). Rules 11A (discontinuance for nonpayment), 11B (medical emergency), 11C (other causes), 11D (collection charges), 11E (reconnection). Two written notices required: first at least 8 business days before disconnect; second at least 2 business days before. No disconnection on Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, or days when service cannot be restored same/next day. Medical certificate: 5-business-day grace period; reconnection charges/deposits waived upfront (billed on next statement). Winter low-income program (Nov 15–Mar 15): income-qualified customers protected; WAC 480-100-143 applies. Inclement weather moratorium required per tariff.","assistance_programs":"Low Income Bill Assistance (LIBA / Schedule 17): 6 qualifying tiers, income up to 80% AMI or 200% FPL; available Nov–Apr; administered through community action agencies (Blue Mountain Action Council for Columbia/Garfield/Walla Walla counties; NWCA/OICW for Yakima County). LIHEAP: grants up to $1,000 for past-due balances or reconnection, income up to 150% FPL. Hardship grants through local agency partners.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/washington/WAC-480-100-128","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Wash. Admin. Code Section 480-100-128, Disconnection of Service (electric companies), via Cornell LII","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"Seattle City Light — Electric","service_area":"City of Seattle and portions of surrounding communities (municipal utility; not regulated by WUTC for rates)","notice_days":null,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Seattle City Light is a municipal utility not subject to WUTC rate regulation; disconnection policy is set by city ordinance (Seattle Municipal Code 21.49.090.15: service \"may be disconnected following reasonable and appropriate notice,\" with no day count fixed in the ordinance itself) and by City Light's own Credit & Collection Director's Policy and Procedure, which sets the specific figure but is only available from this pipeline as an encrypted PDF (clerk.seattle.gov/~CFS/CF_322497.pdf) that fetches but will not parse. City Light's own customer-facing pages (Disconnection Resources, Billing and Account FAQs) confirm two notices are sent before shutoff for delinquency — an Urgent Notice, then a Final Shutoff Notice with no further communication before disconnection — but neither page states how many days before disconnection either notice goes out. notice_days is null rather than repeating the previously stated 10, which this pass could not confirm from any source it could actually read (a search engine's synthesis of the encrypted DPP suggests a ten-day figure, but that is not primary text this pipeline verified itself). The utility states a disconnection fee applies, but no reachable Seattle City Light page states the dollar amount, so reconnection_fee stays null. Short-term payment plans allow up to 60 days to repay with a 25% down payment at setup. Extreme heat protection: if the National Weather Service issues a heat alert, disconnected residential customers may request reconnection during the alert.","assistance_programs":"Emergency Bill Assistance: up to $710/year; $1,420/year for households with children under 18. Project Share: $250 bill credit for income-qualified customers. Utility Discount Program (UDP): 60% discount on electricity bills for income-eligible low-income customers.","source_url":"https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/start-or-stop-service/disconnection-resources","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Disconnection Resources — City Light | seattle.gov"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Puget Sound Energy (PSE) — Gas","service_area":"Puget Sound region, portions of western and central Washington; largest investor-owned gas utility in the state","notice_days":8,"reconnection_fee":"Varies per tariff; disconnection visit charge assessed for collection visits. Reconnection charges/deposits waived upfront for medical emergencies (billed on next statement).","shutoff_rules_notes":"WAC 480-90-128 requires two written disconnection notices: the first delivered or mailed at least 8 business days before the disconnection date (11 days if mailed from outside WA, OR, or ID), the second at least 2 business days before. No disconnection on Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, or a day service cannot be restored the same or next day. A medical certificate gives a 5-business-day grace period, with same-day reinstatement if requested before close of business and next-day reinstatement by noon otherwise; the customer must pay 10% of the delinquent balance and agree to pay the rest within 120 days. PSE's own assistance-programs page backs the Bill Discount Rate, PSE HELP grant, and Past Due Bill Forgiveness figures below, but does not state a notice-day count.","assistance_programs":"Bill Discount Rate (6 tiers based on income/household size/county; 13-month enrollment); PSE HELP grant program (once per program year, no repayment required); Past Due Bill Forgiveness (up to $2,500); LIHEAP (through county agencies); Salvation Army Warm Home Fund; Home Weatherization Assistance; Payment arrangements (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly).","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/washington/WAC-480-90-128","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Wash. Admin. Code § 480-90-128 - Discontinuation of service","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"Cascade Natural Gas (MDU Resources) — Gas","service_area":"Eastern and central Washington, including Yakima Valley, Wenatchee, Bellingham, and surrounding communities","notice_days":8,"reconnection_fee":"Currently waived under a WUTC-ordered pause on reconnection charges for nonpayment disconnections for most residential customers; a separate cap applies to Energy Discount Program and medical-certificate customers (see notes)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by WAC 480-90-128(4)(a)(i), cited above, which requires the first written disconnection notice to be mailed or delivered at least eight business days before the disconnection date, plus a second notice at least 2 business days before disconnection. Cascade's own customer protections page (https://www.cngc.com/customer-service/customer-protections/) states the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has placed a temporary pause on reconnection charges after a nonpayment disconnection, superseding the previously stated tiered fees of $22 (regular hours), $44 (extended hours), and $50 (weekends/holidays), which this source no longer supports. The same page states, verbatim: \"Energy Discount Program customers and customers with medical certificates do not need to pay more than $200 to reconnect service after a disconnection for non-payment\" — this $200 cap figure is confirmed on Cascade's own page but is kept out of the reconnection_fee field itself because the row's formal source_url is the WAC regulation text (needed to confirm the 8-day notice figure), which is a general rule and does not carry company-specific dollar amounts; citing the WAC page while asserting a dollar figure only the utility's own separate page states would itself be an unconfirmable citation pairing. Winter low-income payment program (Nov 15 to Mar 15): income-qualified customers may limit monthly payment to 7% of monthly income plus 1/12 of the past-due balance.","assistance_programs":"Energy Discount Program: income-based monthly bill discount; administered via online application at customer.cngc.com or through local Community Action Agencies; reduces or eliminates regular-hours reconnection fees. LIHEAP (through local agencies). Community Action Agency referrals.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/washington/WAC-480-90-128","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Wash. Admin. Code Section 480-90-128, Disconnection of Service (gas companies)","notice_days_basis":"business"},{"name":"Avista Utilities — Gas Washington","service_area":"Eastern Washington, primarily Spokane and surrounding region; also serves electric customers in same area","notice_days":8,"reconnection_fee":"$16.00 (regular business hours); $32.00 (after hours)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Avista's Washington gas tariff (Schedule 170) requires the first disconnection notice at least 8 business days before the disconnection date, delivered or mailed to the service address, and a second notice at least 2 business days before. The same tariff sets the reconnection charge at $16 when payment arrangements are made during regular business hours and $32 for after-hours reconnections; if electric service at the same premise is also disconnected, add $4 per additional service reconnected. The previously stated $8 disconnection-visit fee does not appear in this tariff and has been dropped rather than repeated unconfirmed. A medical certificate gives a 5-business-day grace period, with same-day reinstatement if requested before close of business and restoration by noon the next business day otherwise, and no reconnection charge or deposit is required upfront.","assistance_programs":"Bill Discount Program: income and household-size based monthly discount; approximately 1 in 3 WA Avista customers qualify; 2-year enrollment. Project Share: community donation-based emergency grants for energy costs (open to non-Avista customers too). LIHEAP: assessed via eligibility tool on Avista website. Comfort Level Billing: budget billing to even out payments. Payment plans available online.","source_url":"https://www.myavista.com/-/media/myavista/content-documents/our-rates-and-tariffs/wa/wa_170.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Avista Utilities Washington Natural Gas Tariff, Schedule 170 - Rules and Regulations","notice_days_basis":"business"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) — Water","service_area":"City of Seattle and wholesale customers in King County (municipal utility; not regulated by WUTC for rates)","notice_days":null,"reconnection_fee":"Fee applies upon reconnection (exact amount not specified in primary consumer-facing documents; search results indicate a reconnection fee exists but dollar amount not confirmed from primary source)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Seattle Public Utilities is a municipal utility not subject to WUTC rate regulation; disconnection policies set by city ordinance and SPU policy. Two notices before shutoff: Urgent Notice and Final Shutoff Notice (no further communication after Final notice). Extreme heat protection: if NWS issues heat-related alert for the area, disconnected residential customers may request water service reconnection. PromisePay plan: income-eligible customers with past-due balance over $100 may enroll in interest-free flexible payment plan; enrollment protects against disconnection while current on plan payments and current bills. Short-term payment plans: up to 60 days, 25% down payment. Long-term payment plans available for all customers regardless of income or immigration status. Specific day-of-week restrictions not documented in reviewed sources. WAC 480-110 governs investor-owned water companies but not SPU as a municipal utility.","assistance_programs":"Emergency Bill Assistance: up to $1,000 annually for customers with urgent/shutoff notice or $250+ past-due balance who meet income eligibility. Utility Discount Program (UDP): income-based discount. PromisePay: interest-free flexible payment plans for past-due balances over $100.","source_url":"https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/your-services/accounts-and-payments/bills-and-payments/my-bill-seems-too-high/water-shutoff-for-nonpayment","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Water Shutoff for Nonpayment — Seattle Public Utilities"},{"name":"Tacoma Water — Water","service_area":"City of Tacoma and surrounding Pierce County communities (municipal utility; operated by Tacoma Public Utilities)","notice_days":null,"reconnection_fee":"$12.00 (before 3 p.m.); $10 field collection call fee may also apply","shutoff_rules_notes":"Tacoma Water is a municipal utility not subject to WUTC rate regulation; policies are set by Tacoma Municipal Code Title 12 and TPU customer service policy. TMC 12.10.130 requires only that the City provide or attempt to provide the customer \"reasonable notice\" of intent to terminate water service, plus the opportunity for a hearing; the code does not itself set a specific number of days. notice_days is null rather than the 7 this row previously carried, which traced back to search results describing TPU policy, not to primary code text this pipeline could read directly. Tacoma's Start/Stop Service page lists a $12.00 reconnection fee for service restored before 3 p.m. and a $10 field collection call fee; the $307/$433/$75 pole and underground reconnection charges on the same page are specific to Tacoma Power, not water, and have been removed from this row rather than misattributed. Extreme heat protection: if the National Weather Service issues a heat alert, customers disconnected for nonpayment may request reconnection during the alert; normal reconnection fees still apply.","assistance_programs":"Bill Credit Assistance Plan (BCAP): automatic monthly credits ($8/month for water); additional credit for full, on-time payment ($5/month water); income limits apply (e.g., $4,229/month for 1-person household); SNAP recipients automatically eligible. Discount Rate Program: 35% discount on water (and other services) for low-income seniors 62+ or disability income recipients; income limits apply. LIHEAP (for energy; not directly applicable to water). Payment arrangements available at 253-502-8608.","source_url":"https://www.mytpu.org/payment-billing/start-stop-service/","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Start/Stop Service - Tacoma Public Utilities"}],"electric_notice_basis":"business","gas_notice_basis":"business"},{"state_name":"West Virginia","state_code":"WV","slug":"west-virginia-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Moderate","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":10,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–April 15: utilities cannot terminate residential electric service in hardship cases where the customer lacks financial resources to pay their entire account. Service cannot be disconnected when it would be dangerous to someone in the household. If on a payment plan and a payment is missed, a 5-day letter or in-person/phone contact is required before service is cut. Additional 24-hour contact attempt (in person or by phone) required before actual disconnection.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Doctor's note stating disconnection would be especially dangerous to a household member's health postpones service cutoff. Life support equipment users receive additional protection.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"LIHEAP / Energy Assistance program available through WV DHHR. Appalachian Power, Dominion Hope (gas), and Mountaineer Gas offer low-income assistance. WV PSC requires utilities to provide information about assistance programs in disconnect notices.","state_puc_url":"https://www.psc.state.wv.us","last_verified":"2026-09-22","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Appalachian Power","service_area":"Southern and western West Virginia. The company's own filed tariff (P.S.C. W.Va. Tariff No. 16, \"West Virginia Service Territory,\" Sheets 2-1 through 2-7) lists the incorporated cities and towns it serves grouped into six districts -- Beckley, Bluefield, Charleston, Huntington, Logan and Williamson -- covering communities from Ansted and Beckley to Barboursville, Belle and Bramwell. The same tariff book also carries Wheeling Power Company (P.S.C. W.Va. Tariff No. 21) in the northern panhandle. A total West Virginia customer count was not recorded: no figure for it could be pulled from a page this session actually fetched.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$8.75 when payment is made 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday (same-day reconnection), and also $8.75 for next-business-morning reconnection; $13 for payment after 5 p.m. Monday-Friday if service can be reconnected before dark; $37.50 if the customer elects to pay in advance for reconnection on the next non-business day. Life-support customers reconnected remotely are not charged. Per P.S.C. W.Va. Tariff No. 16, Terms and Conditions of Service, Sheet No. 3-8.","assistance_programs":"Special Reduced Rate Residential Service (S.R.R.-R.S. Amendment to the residential schedule): rates 20% lower for the December, January, February, March and April billing months for residential customers who qualify under W. Va. Code 24-2A. Eligibility for West Virginia's 24-2A programs is administered through the state, not the utility.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Statewide rule: WV PSC Rule 150 CSR 3 (Rules for the Government of Electric Utilities), current version effective 7/11/2018 and confirmed Active on the WV Secretary of State's rule-version list (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/rule.aspx?rule=150-03; the 8/28/2011 and earlier versions are marked Historical). Rule 4.8.2.b.1: written notice must comply with P.S.C. W.Va. Form No. 14-E and \"shall be sent first class mail, address correction requested, postmarked at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled termination,\" and the notice may not be mailed before the bill is delinquent. The rule says \"ten (10) days,\" never \"business days,\" so the 10 runs as calendar days from the postmark, not from delivery. Rule 4.8.1.e.2 defines a Seasonal Time Period of November 1 through March 31; Rule 4.8.2.b.2.B requires three personal-contact attempts on three separate business days (instead of the usual two under 4.8.2.b.2.A), at least one of them an on-site visit, when the termination date falls inside that period or a Certified Health Condition exists -- this is extra notice, not a winter moratorium, and 4.8.1.e says it \"does not prohibit disconnection.\" The last attempt must be at least 48 hours before the scheduled termination. Rule 4.8.3 sets a $5.00 reconnection charge \"unless otherwise provided in an effective tariff on file with the Commission\" -- that $5.00 is only a fallback and is superseded here by this utility's own filed tariff, quoted below. Rule text checked against both Cornell LII and the Secretary of State's scanned copy of the filed 2018 rule (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx?DocId=50441&Format=PDF), which match word for word. Appalachian Power's own filed tariff supersedes the $5.00 default. P.S.C. W.Va. Tariff No. 16 (Appalachian Power Company) / No. 21 (Wheeling Power Company), Terms and Conditions of Service, Sheet No. 3-8, states the company's discontinuance policy \"will conform with those conditions specified in Section 4.8\" of the PSC electric rules -- so the 10-day notice above is the operative deadline -- and sets the reconnection charges recorded in the fee field. That sheet was issued pursuant to P.S.C. West Virginia Case No. 24-0854-E-42T, Order dated August 28, 2025, effective for bills rendered on or after September 29, 2025, and the $8.75/$13/$37.50 figures each carry a (D) decrease marker against the prior sheet. Tariff fetched at https://www.appalachianpower.com/lib/docs/ratesandtariffs/WestVirginia/ENEC_Tariff_Sheets_Eff_9-1-26.pdf, which is the West Virginia tariff currently linked from appalachianpower.com/company/about/rates/wv. The Commission's own tariff library could not be used as a second check: psc.wv.gov and psc.state.wv.us both refuse connections from this environment (502 on CONNECT and 403 respectively on every path tried), so the tariff was read from the copy the utility itself publishes. Appalachian Power is an investor-owned utility under PSC jurisdiction, so 150 CSR 3 binds it; West Virginia's municipal systems and rural electric cooperatives are not covered by this row.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/west-virginia/W-Va-C-S-R-SS-150-3-4","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"W. Va. Code R. 150-3-4 (WV PSC Rules for the Government of Electric Utilities, Customer Relations), version effective 7/11/2018, confirmed Active on the WV Secretary of State's rule-version list (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/rule.aspx?rule=150-03)"},{"name":"Monongahela Power","service_area":"Northern West Virginia. FirstEnergy's own newsroom states: \"Mon Power serves about 395,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties\" (firstenergycorp.com news release \"Struggling with Seasonal Energy Bills? Mon Power and Potomac Edison Can Help,\" page last modified March 25, 2026). Its filed tariff is P.S.C. W. Va. No. 22.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$17.50 straight time (normal working hours); $57.50 callout evenings or Saturdays; $72.50 callout Sundays; $87.50 callout holidays. Per P.S.C. W. Va. No. 22, Rules and Regulations for Electric Service, Sheet No. 4-8.","assistance_programs":"Reduced Rate Residential Service Rider (\"SRRRS Rider\"), P.S.C. W. Va. No. 22 Sheet 6-1: Residential Rate Schedule \"A\" reduced by 20% for service rendered in November through March for a customer receiving SSI, AFDC, AFDC-U, or food stamps if 60 or older. FirstEnergy's own newsroom also points West Virginia customers to the Dollar Energy Fund, the Emergency Assistance Program (a one-time payment to avoid termination), and the 2-1-1 helpline, and lists its assistance page at firstenergycorp.com/billassist.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Statewide rule: WV PSC Rule 150 CSR 3 (Rules for the Government of Electric Utilities), current version effective 7/11/2018 and confirmed Active on the WV Secretary of State's rule-version list (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/rule.aspx?rule=150-03; the 8/28/2011 and earlier versions are marked Historical). Rule 4.8.2.b.1: written notice must comply with P.S.C. W.Va. Form No. 14-E and \"shall be sent first class mail, address correction requested, postmarked at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled termination,\" and the notice may not be mailed before the bill is delinquent. The rule says \"ten (10) days,\" never \"business days,\" so the 10 runs as calendar days from the postmark, not from delivery. Rule 4.8.1.e.2 defines a Seasonal Time Period of November 1 through March 31; Rule 4.8.2.b.2.B requires three personal-contact attempts on three separate business days (instead of the usual two under 4.8.2.b.2.A), at least one of them an on-site visit, when the termination date falls inside that period or a Certified Health Condition exists -- this is extra notice, not a winter moratorium, and 4.8.1.e says it \"does not prohibit disconnection.\" The last attempt must be at least 48 hours before the scheduled termination. Rule 4.8.3 sets a $5.00 reconnection charge \"unless otherwise provided in an effective tariff on file with the Commission\" -- that $5.00 is only a fallback and is superseded here by this utility's own filed tariff, quoted below. Rule text checked against both Cornell LII and the Secretary of State's scanned copy of the filed 2018 rule (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx?DocId=50441&Format=PDF), which match word for word. Mon Power's own filed tariff supersedes the $5.00 default. P.S.C. W. Va. No. 22 (Monongahela Power Company, Rates and Rules & Regulations), Third Revision of Original Sheet No. 4-8, sets the reconnection charges recorded in the fee field; the reconnection charge is payable before reconnection, but the tariff adds that where an installment payment plan is appropriate \"the requirement for the advance payment of the reconnection fee may not apply and any reconnection fee may be a part of such installment payment plan.\" The same sheet notes the company is not required to reconnect after dark absent a bona fide emergency, per a waiver of Commission Rule 4.8.2.b.11. That sheet was issued March 4, 2019, effective January 4, 2019, under PSC General Order No. 184.39 dated June 11, 2018; other sheets in the same tariff book run as recent as August 1, 2026, so the book is current and the reconnection sheet simply has not changed since 2019. Tariff fetched at https://www.firstenergycorp.com/content/dam/customer/Customer%20Choice/Files/west-virginia/tariffs/WVMPRetailTariff.pdf, the file currently linked from firstenergycorp.com's West Virginia Tariffs page. The Commission's own tariff library could not be used as a second check: psc.wv.gov and psc.state.wv.us both refuse connections from this environment (502 on CONNECT and 403 respectively on every path tried), so the tariff was read from the copy the utility itself publishes.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/west-virginia/W-Va-C-S-R-SS-150-3-4","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"W. Va. Code R. 150-3-4 (WV PSC Rules for the Government of Electric Utilities, Customer Relations), version effective 7/11/2018, confirmed Active on the WV Secretary of State's rule-version list (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/rule.aspx?rule=150-03)"},{"name":"Potomac Edison","service_area":"The Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. FirstEnergy's own newsroom states: \"Potomac Edison serves about 285,000 customers in seven Maryland counties and 155,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia\" (firstenergycorp.com news release \"Struggling with Seasonal Energy Bills? Mon Power and Potomac Edison Can Help,\" page last modified March 25, 2026). Sister FirstEnergy subsidiary to Monongahela Power; its West Virginia tariff is P.S.C. W. Va. No. 3. This row covers the West Virginia service area only -- Maryland customers are under Maryland rules, not 150 CSR 3.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$10.00 straight time (normal working hours); $30.00 callout evenings or Saturdays; $36.00 callout Sundays; $44.00 callout holidays. Per P.S.C. W. Va. No. 3, Rule 16, Sheet No. 4-15. The $10.00 straight-time charge does not apply to customers in the territory formerly served by Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative where reconnection is done with a remote service switch and no trip is required.","assistance_programs":"Reduced Rate Residential Service Rider (\"SRRRS\" Rider), P.S.C. W. Va. No. 3 Sheet 7-A-1: Residential Rate Schedules \"R\" and \"R-A\" reduced by 20% for the December through April billing months, which correlate to service supplied November through March, for a customer receiving SSI, AFDC, AFDC-U, or food stamps if 60 or older. FirstEnergy's own newsroom also points West Virginia customers to the Dollar Energy Fund, the Emergency Assistance Program (a one-time payment to avoid termination), and the 2-1-1 helpline, at firstenergycorp.com/billassist.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Statewide rule: WV PSC Rule 150 CSR 3 (Rules for the Government of Electric Utilities), current version effective 7/11/2018 and confirmed Active on the WV Secretary of State's rule-version list (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/rule.aspx?rule=150-03; the 8/28/2011 and earlier versions are marked Historical). Rule 4.8.2.b.1: written notice must comply with P.S.C. W.Va. Form No. 14-E and \"shall be sent first class mail, address correction requested, postmarked at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled termination,\" and the notice may not be mailed before the bill is delinquent. The rule says \"ten (10) days,\" never \"business days,\" so the 10 runs as calendar days from the postmark, not from delivery. Rule 4.8.1.e.2 defines a Seasonal Time Period of November 1 through March 31; Rule 4.8.2.b.2.B requires three personal-contact attempts on three separate business days (instead of the usual two under 4.8.2.b.2.A), at least one of them an on-site visit, when the termination date falls inside that period or a Certified Health Condition exists -- this is extra notice, not a winter moratorium, and 4.8.1.e says it \"does not prohibit disconnection.\" The last attempt must be at least 48 hours before the scheduled termination. Rule 4.8.3 sets a $5.00 reconnection charge \"unless otherwise provided in an effective tariff on file with the Commission\" -- that $5.00 is only a fallback and is superseded here by this utility's own filed tariff, quoted below. Rule text checked against both Cornell LII and the Secretary of State's scanned copy of the filed 2018 rule (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx?DocId=50441&Format=PDF), which match word for word. Potomac Edison's own filed tariff supersedes the $5.00 default. P.S.C. W. Va. No. 3 (The Potomac Edison Company, Rates and Rules & Regulations for Electric Service), Rule 16, \"Reconnection of the Supply of Electricity,\" Sheet No. 4-15, sets the charges recorded in the fee field, payable before reconnection, and adds that where an installment payment plan is appropriate \"the requirement for the advance payment of the reconnection fee may not apply and any reconnection fee may be a part of such installment payment plan.\" Absent a bona fide emergency the company need not reconnect after dark, per a waiver of Commission Rule 4.8.2.b.11. That sheet was issued March 4, 2019, effective January 4, 2019; other sheets in the same tariff book run to August 1, 2026, so the book is current and this sheet is simply unchanged since 2019. Tariff fetched at https://www.firstenergycorp.com/content/dam/customer/Customer%20Choice/Files/west-virginia/tariffs/WVPERetailTariff.pdf, the file currently linked from firstenergycorp.com's West Virginia Tariffs page. The Commission's own tariff library could not be used as a second check: psc.wv.gov and psc.state.wv.us both refuse connections from this environment (502 on CONNECT and 403 respectively on every path tried), so the tariff was read from the copy the utility itself publishes.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/west-virginia/W-Va-C-S-R-SS-150-3-4","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"W. Va. Code R. 150-3-4 (WV PSC Rules for the Government of Electric Utilities, Customer Relations), version effective 7/11/2018, confirmed Active on the WV Secretary of State's rule-version list (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/rule.aspx?rule=150-03)"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Mountaineer Gas Company","service_area":"Its filed tariff (P.S.C. W. Va. No. 2, \"Index of Communities Served,\" Sheets 3 through 5B) states gas service \"is available in all localities where the Company has pipelines\" and lists communities in 46 counties: Barbour, Berkeley, Boone, Braxton, Brooke, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Grant, Greenbrier, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Marshall, Mason, Mercer, Mineral, Mingo, Monongalia, Monroe, Ohio, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Summers, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Wayne, Wetzel, Wirt, Wood and Wyoming. A customer count is not recorded: no figure for it could be pulled from a page this session actually fetched (mountaineergas.com fails TLS certificate validation, confirmed with curl -v against the proxy CA bundle, and mountaineergasonline.com's HTML pages return a Cloudflare bot-check interstitial -- only its tariff PDFs came through).","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$25.00. Per P.S.C. W. Va. No. 2, Rules and Regulations Section 9.3, Third Revision of Sheet No. 29. For a residential customer who reapplies within eight months of a customer-requested disconnection, the $25.00 comes on top of a catch-up charge based on the months disconnected multiplied by the customer charge and pipeline demand charge.","assistance_programs":"Special Reduced Rate Residential Service (SRRRS), stated in the Residential Service rate schedule (P.S.C. W. Va. No. 2, Sheet No. 50 et seq.): service billed at the normal residential rates less a 20% credit before local taxes, for the December through April billing months, for a customer receiving SSI, AFDC/TANF, AFDC-U/TANF-UP, or food stamps if 60 or older, under W. Va. Code 24-2A-1. Application is made through the West Virginia Department of Human Services.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Statewide rule: WV PSC Rule 150 CSR 4 (Rules for the Government of Gas Utilities and Gas Pipeline Safety), current version effective 7/11/2018 and confirmed Active on the WV Secretary of State's rule-version list (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/rule.aspx?rule=150-04). Rule 4.8.2.b.1: written notice must comply with P.S.C. W.Va. Form No. 14-G and \"shall be sent first class mail, address correction requested, postmarked at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled termination\"; it may not be mailed before the bill is delinquent. The rule says \"ten (10) days,\" not \"business days,\" so the 10 runs as calendar days from the postmark. This is the gas chapter, read separately from the electric chapter (150 CSR 3) -- the two happen to carry the same 10-day figure, but it was checked in the gas text, not copied across. Rule 4.8.1.e.2 defines a Seasonal Time Period of November 1 through March 31; Rule 4.8.2.b.2.B then requires three personal-contact attempts on three separate business days instead of two, at least one an on-site visit, with the last at least 48 hours before termination. That is added notice, not a moratorium: Rule 4.8.1.e states it \"does not prohibit disconnection.\" Rule 4.8.3 sets a $5.00 reconnection charge \"unless otherwise provided in an effective tariff on file with the Commission,\" so the utility's own filed tariff below controls, not the $5.00. Mountaineer Gas is an investor-owned gas utility under PSC jurisdiction, so 150 CSR 4 binds it. Its own tariff confirms the hook: P.S.C. W. Va. No. 2, Section 9.2, lets the company terminate service \"upon written notice to the Customer, as provided in Gas Rule 4.8,\" with nonpayment of an undisputed delinquent account first on the list -- so the statewide 10-day Form 14-G notice is the operative deadline, and the tariff sets no shorter one. Section 9.3 sets the $25.00 reconnection charge recorded in the fee field, and Section 9.4 provides that service terminated under 9.1/9.2 is restored on correction of the cause plus \"a payment equal to the reconnection charge\" -- which is how the $25.00 reaches a customer shut off for nonpayment. The sheet carrying 9.3 and 9.4 (Third Revision of Sheet No. 29) was issued December 6, 2022, effective December 1, 2022; the Section 9.2 sheet (Third Revision of Sheet No. 28) is effective September 10, 2018 under PSC General Order No. 185.40. Tariff fetched at https://mountaineergasonline.com/assets/mgcrr.pdf (complete rules and regulations, Sheets 1-49) and https://mountaineergasonline.com/assets/mgcrs.pdf (Residential Service rate schedule). The Commission's own tariff library could not be used as a second check: psc.wv.gov and psc.state.wv.us both refuse connections from this environment (502 on CONNECT and 403 respectively on every path tried), so the tariff was read from the copy the utility itself publishes.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/west-virginia/W-Va-C-S-R-SS-150-4-4","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"W. Va. Code R. 150-4-4 (WV PSC Rules for the Government of Gas Utilities and Gas Pipeline Safety, Customer Relations), version effective 7/11/2018, confirmed Active on the WV Secretary of State's rule-version list (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/rule.aspx?rule=150-04)"},{"name":"Hope Gas","service_area":"Regulated West Virginia natural gas distribution utility. Its filed tariff (PSC of WV No. 4, \"Index of Communities Served,\" Sheet Nos. 1 through 4, effective February 25, 2026) lists communities in 28 counties: Barbour, Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Harrison, Jackson, Kanawha, Lewis, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Marshall, Mason, Mercer, Mingo, Monongalia, Nicholas, Pleasants, Preston, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph and Ritchie, and adds that \"service is also available to rural customers located adjacent to the existing field lines of the Company.\" A customer count is not recorded: no figure for it could be pulled from a page this session actually fetched.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$30.00 where a premise visit is required to reconnect service. Per PSC of WV No. 4, Rules and Regulations for Distribution and Sale of Natural Gas, paragraph 12, Sheet No. 9. Paragraph 21 adds that a customer shut off and then put on a payment plan has a $30.00 reconnect charge, plus a security deposit, folded into the plan. A customer who reapplies within eight months also owes a separate gas-cost-recovery charge of $8.28 per month elapsed (paragraph 20).","assistance_programs":"Special Reduced Rate Residential Service (Rate Schedule SRRRS, PSC of WV No. 4, Sheet No. 23): service under Rate Schedule RS less a 20% credit each month for the December, January, February, March and April billing months, for customers showing proof of SSI, AFDC/TANF, AFDC-U, or food stamps if 60 or older. Application is made at a Hope Gas office on a form adopted by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services under W. Va. Code 24-2A-1(b).","shutoff_rules_notes":"Statewide rule: WV PSC Rule 150 CSR 4 (Rules for the Government of Gas Utilities and Gas Pipeline Safety), current version effective 7/11/2018 and confirmed Active on the WV Secretary of State's rule-version list (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/rule.aspx?rule=150-04). Rule 4.8.2.b.1: written notice must comply with P.S.C. W.Va. Form No. 14-G and \"shall be sent first class mail, address correction requested, postmarked at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled termination\"; it may not be mailed before the bill is delinquent. The rule says \"ten (10) days,\" not \"business days,\" so the 10 runs as calendar days from the postmark. This is the gas chapter, read separately from the electric chapter (150 CSR 3) -- the two happen to carry the same 10-day figure, but it was checked in the gas text, not copied across. Rule 4.8.1.e.2 defines a Seasonal Time Period of November 1 through March 31; Rule 4.8.2.b.2.B then requires three personal-contact attempts on three separate business days instead of two, at least one an on-site visit, with the last at least 48 hours before termination. That is added notice, not a moratorium: Rule 4.8.1.e states it \"does not prohibit disconnection.\" Rule 4.8.3 sets a $5.00 reconnection charge \"unless otherwise provided in an effective tariff on file with the Commission,\" so the utility's own filed tariff below controls, not the $5.00. Hope Gas's own filed tariff supersedes the $5.00 default and confirms it defers to the statewide notice rule. PSC of WV No. 4, Rules and Regulations for Distribution and Sale of Natural Gas, Sheet No. 8, paragraph 1, states its terms \"are supplementary to the Rules and Regulations for the Government of Gas Utilities and Gas Pipeline Safety\" of the WV PSC, and paragraph 7 says that whenever gas is turned off under Commission Rule 4.7 or 4.8 \"the Company may make a charge for reconnection of service as set forth in paragraph 12.\" Paragraph 12 sets the $30.00 recorded in the fee field. These sheets are unusually current: issued February 20, 2026, effective February 25, 2026, by Order of the Public Service Commission of West Virginia in Case No. 25-0417-G-42T dated February 10, 2026, with the paragraph 12 change flagged (C). Tariff fetched at https://hopegas.com/document/rules-and-regulations-for-distribution-and-sale-of-natural-gas, linked from hopegas.com/my-account-information/rates-tariffs. The Commission's own tariff library could not be used as a second check: psc.wv.gov and psc.state.wv.us both refuse connections from this environment (502 on CONNECT and 403 respectively on every path tried), so the tariff was read from the copy the utility itself publishes.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/west-virginia/W-Va-C-S-R-SS-150-4-4","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"W. Va. Code R. 150-4-4 (WV PSC Rules for the Government of Gas Utilities and Gas Pipeline Safety, Customer Relations), version effective 7/11/2018, confirmed Active on the WV Secretary of State's rule-version list (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/rule.aspx?rule=150-04)"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"West Virginia American Water","service_area":"Investor-owned water utility under PSC jurisdiction, headquartered in Charleston. Its filed tariff (P.S.C. W.Va. No. 2, \"Index of Cities, Towns, Villages, and Districts Served,\" Sheets S-1 through S-5) states water service \"is available in all localities where the Company has existing water mains, including portions of the following counties in West Virginia,\" and the county headings that came through legibly include Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Fayette, Jackson, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lewis, Mason, Mercer, Putnam, Raleigh, Summers and Wayne. Those sheets are scanned images with imperfect text, so the list is read as \"including\" rather than exhaustive. A statewide customer count is not recorded: no figure for it could be pulled from a page this session actually fetched.","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$20, all meter sizes. Per P.S.C. W.Va. No. 2, Rates and Charges Section 6.3, Third Revision of Original Sheet No. RS-6. If service was disconnected somewhere other than the meter because of the customer's own actions, the customer may instead owe the actual cost of reconnecting.","assistance_programs":"Special Reduced Rate Residential Service (SRRRS), Terms and Conditions Section 13.1, under W. Va. Code 24-2A-5: available to residential customers who show proof of receiving SSI, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), TANF-Unemployed Parent, or SNAP if 60 or older, giving a 20% credit before local taxes. Application goes to the company's Charleston office on a form adopted by the state human services department.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Statewide rule: WV PSC Rule 150 CSR 7 (Rules for the Government of Water Utilities), current version effective 3/10/2025, confirmed Active on the WV Secretary of State's rule-version list (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/rule.aspx?rule=150-07), superseding the 3/25/2023, 9/14/2021 and 5/8/2011 versions, all now marked Historical. Rule 6.8.1.a: the utility \"may not discontinue service sooner than ten (10) days following the date that a utility has mailed to a customer written notice of scheduled termination of service, in compliance with Water Form No. 1\"; the notice is void if service is not cut within thirty (30) days of the date on it. Plain \"ten (10) days,\" not business days, running from the mailing date. Rule 6.8.1.c requires two personal-contact attempts on two separate business days at least 24 hours before the scheduled termination. Rule 6.8.1.d bars disconnection on a Saturday, Sunday, state or federal holiday, a day the business office is not open to accept payment, or the day before any of those. Rule 6.8.1.e confines disconnections to 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Unlike the electric and gas chapters, the water rule sets NO statewide dollar default: Rule 6.8.3.a says that when water is turned off for non-payment \"the utility may make a charge as set forth in its tariff for reestablishment of service,\" so the tariff figure below is the only source for the fee. (Rule 6.8.3.b is a different situation -- a customer-requested disconnection followed by a request to restore within eight months.) Because the 2025 version is newer than most secondary copies, the text was read twice: at Cornell LII and in the Secretary of State's own scanned copy of the filed 2025 rule (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/readfile.aspx?DocId=57678&Format=PDF). Both read \"ten (10) days\" at 6.8.1.a and both tie reconnection to the tariff at 6.8.3.a. West Virginia American Water's own filed tariff supplies the fee the rule leaves to the tariff. P.S.C. W.Va. No. 2, Terms and Conditions Section 1.1, states the company's terms \"supplement and clarify the Rules for the Government of Water Utilities, 150 C.S.R. 7-1, et seq.\" -- so the 10-day Water Form No. 1 notice above is the operative deadline. Its \"Reconnecting Service\" provision says that when service is discontinued for nonpayment \"the reconnection charge listed in Sheet No. RS6 will be applied,\" and adds that the charge \"may be added to a past due balance and included in the outstanding balance under a deferred payment agreement.\" Sheet RS-6, Section 6.3, sets that charge at $20 for all meter sizes; the sheet was issued September 18, 2024 by Final Order of the PSC in Case No. 24-0434-WS-PC dated August 30, 2024, effective August 30, 2024. Note for anyone re-checking: Sheet RS-6 is an image-only page inside the tariff PDF with no text layer, so the $20 was read by rendering and OCRing that page rather than by text extraction, and an automated text search of the PDF will not find it. Tariff fetched at https://amwater.com/wvaw/resources/PDF/Customer-Service-Billing/westvirginia-amwater-water-service-tariff.pdf, the file currently linked from amwater.com/wvaw/customer-service-billing/your-water-and-wastewater-rates; it is current, carrying a DSIC sheet effective March 1, 2026. The Commission's own tariff library could not be used as a second check: psc.wv.gov and psc.state.wv.us both refuse connections from this environment (502 on CONNECT and 403 respectively on every path tried), so the tariff was read from the copy the utility itself publishes. Municipal water systems and public service districts in West Virginia are separately treated under 150 CSR 7 and are not covered by this row.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/west-virginia/W-Va-C-S-R-SS-150-7-6","source_date":"2026-09-22","source_title":"W. Va. Code R. 150-7-6 (WV PSC Rules for the Government of Water Utilities, Customer Relations), version effective 3/10/2025, confirmed Active on the WV Secretary of State's rule-version list (apps.sos.wv.gov/adlaw/csr/rule.aspx?rule=150-07)"}]},{"state_name":"Wisconsin","state_code":"WI","slug":"wisconsin-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Strong","electric_notice_days":10,"gas_notice_days":8,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":true,"winter_moratorium_notes":"November 1–April 15: utilities prohibited from disconnecting residential service used for home heating for nonpayment. Statewide — applies to all residential heating customers, not income-limited. If disconnection not executed within 20 days of the notice issuance, a subsequent notice must be left on premises not less than 24 hours nor more than 48 hours before disconnection. Medical emergency delays shutoff for up to 21 days.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"If disconnection will aggravate a medical or protective services emergency, utility may delay service shutoff for up to 21 days. PSC 113 rules govern medical protections.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) / LIHEAP available. We Energies, WPS, and Alliant Energy offer low-income assistance programs. Wisconsin PSC oversees all investor-owned utility disconnection practices.","state_puc_url":"https://psc.wi.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-21","electric_utilities":[{"name":"WE Energies (Wisconsin Electric Power Company)","service_area":"Southeastern Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha areas) and Upper Peninsula of Michigan","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by Wisconsin PSC Chapter 113. 10 days written notice by first class mail required before disconnection for nonpayment. No disconnection Nov 1–Apr 15 (winter moratorium) unless premise is vacant. During moratorium, disconnection only permitted if gross quarterly household income exceeds 250% federal poverty guidelines and health/safety not endangered. No disconnection on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or days when utility staff are not available 24 hrs to negotiate reconnection. Medical/protective services emergency: utility must postpone disconnection 21 days upon physician or public health official statement; postponement renewable. Payment plan (Deferred Payment Agreement) must be offered before disconnection. Service reconnected next business day after payment received. Reconnection fee exists per tariff Schedule X-235 but dollar amount not confirmed from accessible primary source (tariff PDF binary-unreadable); contact 800-242-9137 for current amount.","assistance_programs":"Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP/LIHEAP) — heating and electric assistance for income-qualified households; apply at homeenergyplus.wi.gov or energyandhousing.wi.gov. Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund (KWWF) — emergency assistance for vulnerable households; kwwf.org. Wisconsin Public Benefits Fund — collected via utility bill, supports low-income energy assistance and weatherization.","source_url":"https://www.we-energies.com/partners/disconnect-rules","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Disconnection Rules | We Energies"},{"name":"Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E)","service_area":"Dane County (Madison area), Wisconsin","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Wis. Admin. Code PSC 113.0301 governs residential electric disconnection: a utility may not disconnect 'unless written notice is sent to the customer by first class mail or personally served on a responsible adult member of the household at least 10 calendar days prior to the day of the proposed disconnection', and a residential customer has 'at least 20 days from the date of issuance of the bill to provide payment' before the account may be treated as delinquent. Governed by Wisconsin PSC Chapter 113. 10 days written notice by first class mail required before disconnection for nonpayment. No disconnection Nov 1–Apr 15 (winter moratorium) for occupied residences. During moratorium, disconnection only where gross quarterly income exceeds 250% federal poverty guidelines and health/safety not endangered. No disconnection on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or days when utility staff are not available 24 hrs. Medical/protective services emergency: utility must postpone disconnection 21 days upon physician or public health official statement; postponement renewable. Deferred Payment Agreements available; customers pay current bill plus portion of past-due balance monthly. Budget Payment Plan available to spread costs over 12 months. Electric Rates and Rules Volume 4 (01/01/2026) references a reconnection fee of $84.00 (regular business hours) / $168.00 (all other times) described as 'reconnection at pole/meter cutout'; this appears to be an overhead line reconnect, not the standard meter-side reconnect fee for nonpayment — standard reconnect fee amount not separately confirmed; contact MGE at 608-252-7000.","assistance_programs":"Back on Track — MGE program offering financial assistance for customers with limited income or health-related energy needs with past-due balances; requires prior energy assistance within 2 years; call 608-252-7000. Energy Services Inc. (ESI)/WHEAP — income-qualified assistance (2025–2026 income limits: 1 person $38,421; 2 people $50,243; 3 people $62,065; 4 people $73,888); apply at esi.help or 1-800-506-5596. Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund: 1-800-891-9276. Budget Payment Plan for even monthly costs.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/wisconsin/Wis-Admin-Code-SS-PSC-113-0301","source_date":"2026-09-20","source_title":"Wis. Admin. Code PSC 113.0301, Disconnection of residential electric service, via Cornell LII"},{"name":"Alliant Energy / Wisconsin Power and Light (WPL)","service_area":"Central and eastern Wisconsin","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$20.00 for reconnection during regular business hours; $58.00 after regular business hours (plus the minimum monthly bill for months service was not used)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by Wisconsin PSC Chapter 113. 10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment. No disconnection Nov 1–Apr 15 (winter moratorium) for residential heating service. Heat advisory/warning/emergency also prohibits disconnection. Customers with remote-connect meters reconnected same day after payment; others next business day. Medical hardship: customers may request 30-day extension; doctor or public health official must contact Alliant to verify medical risk. Deferred Payment Agreements available via My Account portal. Budget Billing and Fixed Amount Bill plans available. Reconnection charge per the current Wisconsin Electric Schedule of Rates is $20.00 during business hours and $58.00 after hours; the $30/$70 figures previously shown here do not appear in that tariff and have been corrected.","assistance_programs":"WHEAP/LIHEAP — heating and electric assistance; apply at energyandhousing.wi.gov. Arrears Management Program — auto-enrolled for WHEAP-approved customers; forgives 25% of past-due balance plus additional forgiveness with each on-time payment over 12 months. Hometown Care Energy Fund — up to $200 toward a single bill for income-qualified households; distributed by Energy Services Inc. based on available funding. Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund — kwwf.org or call 211.","source_url":"https://www.alliantenergy.com/-/media/alliant/documents/accountandbilling/ratesandtariffs/wisconsinelectricrates/wisconsinelectricscheduleofrates.pdf?sc_lang=en","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Wisconsin Power and Light (Alliant Energy) Wisconsin Electric Schedule of Rates"},{"name":"Xcel Energy (Northern States Power — Wisconsin)","service_area":"Northwestern Wisconsin, primarily Eau Claire area","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Governed by Wisconsin PSC Chapter 113. 10 days written notice required before disconnection for nonpayment. Winter moratorium Nov 1–Apr 15: service not disconnected for residential heating during this period. Customers past-due after April 15 without payment arrangements risk disconnection. No disconnection on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or days when utility staff are not available 24 hrs. Medical/protective services emergency: 21-day postponement upon physician or public health official statement. Deferred Payment Agreements available; call 1-800-895-4999. Fall reconnection plan required — utility must attempt to contact premises disconnected for nonpayment in past 12 months about payment options.","assistance_programs":"WHEAP/LIHEAP — heating and electric assistance for income-qualified households; apply at energyandhousing.wi.gov. Residential Arrears Assistance Program (RAAP) — launched 2026, one-time annual bill credit for WHEAP recipients carrying qualifying past-due balance. Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund. Wisconsin Low-Income Assistance Charge program. Call 211 for local assistance resources.","source_url":"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/wisconsin/Wis-Admin-Code-SS-PSC-113-0301","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Wis. Admin. Code PSC 113.0301, Disconnection of residential electric service, via Cornell LII"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"WE Energies (Wisconsin Electric Power Company — Gas Operations)","service_area":"Southeastern Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha areas)","notice_days":8,"reconnection_fee":"$36 per meter during regular work hours; $48 per meter for other than regular work hours (Schedule X-235)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Wisconsin sets separate notice periods for gas and electric. Gas falls under Wis. Admin. Code PSC 134.062(8)(a), which requires written notice 'at least 8 calendar days prior to the day of the proposed disconnection'; electric falls under PSC 113.0301(10)(a), which sets 10 days — that is why this row's notice period is shorter than the electric row above. This is not a stale figure: We Energies' own PSC-filed gas tariff (Volume XVI) does not commit to more than the state floor — its “Collection Action” and “Connection or Discontinuance of Service” sheets both state that gas disconnection is handled 'in a manner consistent with all conditions, guidelines, rules and requirements of the Wisconsin Administrative Code s. PSC 134.062,' rather than specifying a longer period of its own the way Alliant's gas tariff does. (A separate 'eight calendar days' clause elsewhere in the same tariff governs a narrower case — disconnection for noncompliance with gas-heating energy-conservation standards under PSC 136.04 — and is not the general nonpayment notice period.) No disconnection Nov 1–Apr 15 (winter moratorium) for occupied residences where gas provides primary heat. During moratorium, disconnection only where gross quarterly income exceeds 250% federal poverty guidelines and health/safety not endangered. No disconnection on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, or days when utility staff not available 24 hrs to negotiate reconnection. Medical/protective services emergency: 21-day postponement upon physician or public health official statement. Deferred Payment Agreements must be offered. Service reconnected next business day after payment. Disconnection and reconnection fees are $36 per meter during regular work hours and $48 per meter otherwise, confirmed directly from the tariff's Schedule X-235.","assistance_programs":"Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP/LIHEAP) — heating assistance for income-qualified households; apply at homeenergyplus.wi.gov. Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund (KWWF) — emergency assistance for vulnerable households; kwwf.org. Wisconsin Public Benefits Fund for low-income energy assistance and weatherization.","source_url":"https://www.we-energies.com/pdfs/tariffs_volxvi/wegotariffbk_volxvi.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Wisconsin Electric — Gas Operations Gas Service Tariff Book, Volume XVI (Schedules X-235, X-330)"},{"name":"Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E — Natural Gas)","service_area":"Dane County (Madison area), Wisconsin","notice_days":8,"reconnection_fee":"$42 (8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Mon–Fri, excluding holidays); $63 all other times","shutoff_rules_notes":"Wisconsin sets separate notice periods for gas and electric. Gas falls under Wis. Admin. Code PSC 134.062(8)(a), which requires written notice 'at least 8 calendar days prior to the day of the proposed disconnection'; electric falls under PSC 113.0301(10)(a), which sets 10 days — that is why this row's notice period is shorter than the electric row above. MGE's own filed gas tariff (“Gas Rules and Regulations: General Information,” Sheet G-45.3, File No. 3270) confirms this rather than overriding it: its “DISCONNECTION OF SERVICE” clause reads, for residential service, 'see Wis. Admin. Code § PSC 134.062,' rather than specifying a longer period of its own the way Alliant's gas tariff does. (MGE's general customer brochure, “Your Guide to Electric and Natural Gas Service,” states a rounded 'at least 10 days' for service disconnection generally — that figure matches the electric floor and is not repeated in the actual filed gas tariff, so the tariff's 8-day figure is used here.) A separate 'eight-day notice of disconnection' clause elsewhere in the same tariff governs a narrower case — disconnection following meter tampering or diversion of service — and is not the general nonpayment notice period. No disconnection Nov 1–Apr 15 (winter moratorium) for occupied residences where gas provides primary heat. During moratorium, disconnection only where gross quarterly income exceeds 250% federal poverty guidelines and health/safety not endangered. No disconnection on Fridays, Saturdays, or holidays. Medical/protective services emergency: 21-day postponement upon physician or public health official statement. Deferred Payment Agreements available. Budget Payment Plan available. Reconnection charge is $42 during business hours (8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Mon–Fri, excluding holidays) and $63 at all other times, confirmed directly from the tariff.","assistance_programs":"Back on Track — MGE program for customers with limited income or health-related energy needs with past-due balances; call 608-252-7000. ESI/WHEAP — income-qualified assistance; apply at esi.help or 1-800-506-5596. Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund: 1-800-891-9276. Budget Payment Plan.","source_url":"https://www.mge.com/MGE/media/MGE-Library/documents/rates-gas/gas-rates-20260901.pdf","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Madison Gas and Electric Company Gas Rates and Rules, First Revised Volume 2 (Sheet G-45.3, Disconnection of Service)"},{"name":"Alliant Energy / Wisconsin Power and Light (WPL — Natural Gas)","service_area":"Central and eastern Wisconsin","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":"$20.00 for reconnection during regular business hours; $58.00 after regular business hours (plus the minimum monthly bill for months service was not used)","shutoff_rules_notes":"Corrected 2026-09-21. Wisconsin's administrative code sets a floor of 8 calendar days' notice for gas disconnection (Wis. Admin. Code PSC 134.062) versus 10 for electric (PSC 113.0301), but a utility's own PSC-approved tariff can commit to more than the floor. Alliant's own tariff, Schedule Xr-4 (Rules and Regulations Applicable to Electric and Gas Service, Amendment 691), requires 'written notice by first class mail... at least 10 calendar days prior to the first date of the proposed disconnection' for both electric and gas alike, and if disconnection is not carried out within 20 days of that notice a follow-up notice must be posted 24-48 hours before disconnection. A prior pass on this row set notice_days to the 8-day state floor; corrected back to 10 because that is what Alliant's own filed tariff actually commits to for its gas customers, which is the number that matters to an Alliant customer. No disconnection Nov 1–Apr 15 (winter moratorium) for residential heating service. Medical hardship: 30-day extension available; doctor or public health official must contact Alliant. Deferred Payment Agreements available. Budget Billing and Fixed Amount Bill plans available. Reconnection charge is $20.00 during business hours and $58.00 after hours, not the $30/$70 previously shown (which were stale figures from an earlier revision).","assistance_programs":"WHEAP/LIHEAP — heating assistance; apply at energyandhousing.wi.gov. Arrears Management Program — 25% past-due balance forgiveness for WHEAP-enrolled customers. Hometown Care Energy Fund — up to $200 per bill for income-qualified households. Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund — kwwf.org or call 211.","source_url":"https://www.alliantenergy.com/-/media/alliant/documents/accountandbilling/ratesandtariffs/wisconsinnaturalgasrates/wisconsinnaturalgasrates.pdf?la=en&hash=7A1BD8AF870D12598E6A21F68F1AFF59","source_date":"2026-09-21","source_title":"Wisconsin Power and Light (Alliant Energy) Wisconsin Natural Gas Rates"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Milwaukee Water Works","service_area":"City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin","notice_days":null,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Milwaukee Water Works is a municipal utility regulated by the Wisconsin PSC under Chapter 185 for rates, but has an exceptional nonpayment policy: Milwaukee Water Works does NOT shut off water service for nonpayment. Past-due amounts that remain delinquent for 180 days as of October 1 are transferred to the property tax bill with a 10% transfer fee. Customers with past-due balances up to $1,500 may enroll in interest-free PromisePay installment plans at milwaukee.promise-pay.com. PSC Chapter 185 framework (10-day notice, Nov 1–Apr 15 moratorium for water used as heat source, 21-day medical postponement) is theoretically applicable but moot given no-shutoff policy.","assistance_programs":"PromisePay — interest-free installment payment plans for past-due balances up to $1,500; enroll at milwaukee.promise-pay.com. Wisconsin Low Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) — one-time payments up to $2,000 toward past-due water/wastewater bills for income-qualified households; apply at wisconsinwater.help. Milwaukee Water Works Affordability and Support resources available at city.milwaukee.gov/water/customer/Affordability-and-Support.","source_url":"https://milwaukee.promise-pay.com/faq","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"PromisePay — Milwaukee Water Works Payment Plans FAQ"},{"name":"Madison Water Utility","service_area":"City of Madison, Wisconsin","notice_days":10,"reconnection_fee":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"Madison Water Utility is a municipal utility regulated by the Wisconsin PSC under Chapter 185 (Wis. PSC Docket 3280-WR-116). PSC Chapter 185 governs disconnection: 10 days written notice by first class mail required before disconnection for nonpayment. Water used as a heat source cannot be disconnected Nov 1–Apr 15 (winter moratorium). Medical/protective services emergency: 21-day postponement upon physician or public health official statement. Utility cannot back-bill for service charges upon reconnection. Schedule R-1 reconnection charge applies upon reconnection; specific dollar amount not confirmed in documents accessed — contact Madison Water Utility at 608-266-4641. Deferred Payment Agreements available.","assistance_programs":"MadCAP (Madison Customer Assistance Program) — monthly credit of up to $30 on Municipal Services Bills for income-qualified households (at or below 50% of area median income; e.g., 1-person household income limit $45,450/yr; 4-person $64,900/yr); qualifying for FoodShare/Section 8/SNAP/WIC also qualifies. Annual application required; apply online at cityofmadison.com/water/billing-rates/madcap. Wisconsin Low Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) — up to $2,000 toward past-due water bills; apply at wisconsinwater.help.","source_url":"https://www.cityofmadison.com/water/billing-rates/madcap","source_date":"2026-05-19","source_title":"Madison Customer Assistance Program (MadCAP) | City of Madison, WI"}]},{"state_name":"Wyoming","state_code":"WY","slug":"wyoming-utility-shutoff-rules","protection_rating":"Weak","electric_notice_days":null,"gas_notice_days":null,"water_notice_days":null,"winter_moratorium":false,"winter_moratorium_notes":"No statewide winter moratorium confirmed. Rocky Mountain Power (Wyoming's largest IOU) prohibits disconnection December 24–January 2 and on weekends/holidays. Utilities cannot disconnect when offices are closed. Wyoming PSC-specific statewide notice days and moratorium rules not confirmed from primary source — listed as null.","medical_exemption":true,"medical_exemption_notes":"Rocky Mountain Power tariff provides additional notice for life-support equipment customers who must enter a Deferred Payment Agreement. Statewide PSC rule on medical exemptions not confirmed from primary source.","reconnection_fee_electric":"Varies by utility","reconnection_fee_gas":"Varies by utility","low_income_protection_notes":"Rocky Mountain Power operates a low-income assistance program. LIHEAP available through Wyoming DFS. PSC-regulated utilities are few — most protections vary significantly by cooperative or municipal provider.","state_puc_url":"https://psc.wyo.gov","last_verified":"2026-09-22","electric_utilities":[{"name":"Rocky Mountain Power","service_area":"Most of Wyoming outside the Cheyenne (Laramie County) area; PacifiCorp subsidiary","notice_days":7,"reconnection_fee":"$18.00 during normal business hours; $100.00 at all other times, per Schedule 300","assistance_programs":"Energy Share of Wyoming, a nonprofit funded by donations and administered through The Salvation Army (local intake: Laramie Interfaith (307) 742-4240 for Albany County; The Salvation Army (307) 234-2002 for Natrona County); the federally funded Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), administered by the Wyoming Department of Family Services, whose utility-bill season closes February 28; and a Wyoming weatherization program Rocky Mountain Power runs with local agencies, open to LIEAP-eligible households.","shutoff_rules_notes":"P.S.C. Wyoming No. 19, Rule 10 (Original Sheet No. R10-1, issued 7/16/2025, eff. with service rendered on/after 6/1/2025), Docket No. 20000-671-ER-24: \"Before disconnecting service, the Company will provide seven days' notice to residential Customers and three days written notice to commercial and industrial Customers.\" The rule does not say calendar vs. business days, so 7 is recorded as the tariff states it. Rule 10.H.2 (Charges for Collections - Reconnection Charge, Original Sheet No. R10-5) says \"Schedule 300 specifies the charge\"; Schedule 300 (Original Sheet No. 300-2, same docket and effective date), fetched at rockymountainpower.net/content/dam/pcorp/documents/en/rockymountainpower/rates-regulation/wyoming/rates/300_Charges_as_Defined_by_the_Rules.pdf, lists the Reconnection Charge as $18.00 during normal business hours and $100.00 at all other times (plus a $16.00 Disconnection Visit Charge). Rule 10.E also bars disconnection Dec. 24 through Jan. 2, on a Wyoming legal holiday or the day before, and between Thursday 4:00 p.m. and Monday 8:00 a.m.; Rule 10.C requires an attempted personal contact from Nov. 1 to Apr. 30 before disconnecting; Rule 10.D adds 15 days on health-care documentation of serious illness. Assistance programs are taken from Rocky Mountain Power's own Bill Payment Assistance page, Wyoming section, https://www.rockymountainpower.net/my-account/payments/bill-payment-assistance.html (fetched 2026-09-22); the tariff itself names no program, Rule 10.B.5 only requiring the notice to list agencies that ask to be listed.","source_url":"https://www.rockymountainpower.net/content/dam/pcorp/documents/en/rockymountainpower/rates-regulation/wyoming/rules/10_Disconnection_of_Service.pdf","source_title":"P.S.C. Wyoming No. 19, Rule 10 – Disconnection of Service","source_date":"2026-09-22"},{"name":"Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power Company (d/b/a Black Hills Energy)","service_area":"Cheyenne and Laramie County, southeastern Wyoming; a Black Hills Corp. subsidiary distinct from Black Hills Power, Inc., which serves the Gillette/Newcastle area of northeastern Wyoming","notice_days":7,"reconnection_fee":"$15.00 during normal business hours (Sheet Nos. R16 and R23); after-hours reconnection billed at the non-gratuitous labor rate instead (minimum $70.00, after-hours rate $215.00)","assistance_programs":"Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) for Wyoming heating costs; Black Hills Cares, funded by voluntary customer and employee donations, for bills or emergency energy-related expenses; Energy Share of Wyoming; Budget Billing, a free levelized payment plan; a Medical Extension program for customers whose service is certified medically essential by a licensed physician; and 211 referral.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Wyo. P.S.C. Tariff No. 14, Rules and Regulations - Electric Service, \"Discontinuance of Service by the Company\" (Original Sheet No. R13, issued 12/13/2022, eff. 3/1/2023): \"the Company may discontinue service, upon not less than seven (7) calendar days' notice to residential customers or not less than three calendar days' notice to commercial or industrial customers.\" Calendar days, stated in the tariff. The same sheet requires an attempted actual contact in person or by telephone during the cold weather period Nov. 1 through Apr. 30, and Sheet R15 bars discontinuance on a legal holiday or the day before and from Dec. 24 through Jan. 2. On written verification from a health care provider the discontinuation date is extended by 15 days (22 days total). The Reconnection Charge on the Schedule of Charges and Allowances for Rendering Service (Sheet Nos. R16 and R23) is $15.00, payable in advance; reconnection outside normal business hours is billed at the after-hours non-gratuitous labor rate instead (minimum $70.00, after-hours $215.00) rather than a flat fee. Assistance programs are taken from Black Hills Energy's own Wyoming energy-assistance page, https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/billing-and-payments/energy-assistance-programs/wyoming-energy-assistance-resources (fetched 2026-09-22), which covers its Wyoming customers generally; the tariff itself names no program.","source_url":"https://blackhillsenergy.com/sites/blackhillsenergy.com/files/clfp_electric.pdf","source_title":"Wyo. P.S.C. Tariff No. 14 – Rules and Regulations, Electric Service","source_date":"2026-09-22"}],"gas_utilities":[{"name":"Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power Company (d/b/a Black Hills Energy)","service_area":"Cheyenne and Laramie County, southeastern Wyoming; natural gas division of the same company as the electric row above","notice_days":7,"reconnection_fee":"$23.00 (Sheet No. R17), per Rate Schedule Summation Sheet, Original Sheet No. 5C, eff. 11/20/2017","assistance_programs":"Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) for Wyoming heating costs; Black Hills Cares, funded by voluntary customer and employee donations, for bills or emergency energy-related expenses; Energy Share of Wyoming; Budget Billing, a free levelized payment plan; a Medical Extension program for customers whose service is certified medically essential by a licensed physician; and 211 referral.","shutoff_rules_notes":"Wyo. P.S.C. Tariff No. 12, Rules and Regulations - Natural Gas Service, \"Discontinuance of Service by the Company\" (Original Sheet No. R14, issued 11/17/2017, eff. 11/20/2017): \"the Company may discontinue service upon not less than seven (7) calendar days' notice to residential Customers or not less than three (3) calendar days' notice to non-residential Customers.\" Calendar days, stated in the tariff. Sheet R15 requires an attempted actual contact before discontinuing during the cold weather period Nov. 1 through Apr. 30, and Sheet R16 bars discontinuance on a legal holiday or the day before and from Dec. 24 through Jan. 2. The Reconnection Charge is $23.00 on the Rate Schedule Summation Sheet, Schedule of Charges for Rendering Service (Original Sheet No. 5C, same tariff), cross-referenced to Sheet No. R17. This is the gas tariff Black Hills Energy currently publishes for Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power; it is a separate filing from the electric Tariff No. 14 above and carries its own, older, 2017 effective date. Assistance programs are taken from Black Hills Energy's own Wyoming energy-assistance page, https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/billing-and-payments/energy-assistance-programs/wyoming-energy-assistance-resources (fetched 2026-09-22), which covers its Wyoming customers generally; the tariff itself names no program.","source_url":"https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/sites/blackhillsenergy.com/files/clfp_gas.pdf","source_title":"Wyo. P.S.C. Tariff No. 12 – Rules and Regulations, Natural Gas Service","source_date":"2026-09-22"},{"name":"Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.","service_area":"Portions of Wyoming served by Montana-Dakota Utilities' natural gas distribution system; a subsidiary of MDU Resources Group (not NorthWestern Energy, a separate, unrelated company)","notice_days":7,"reconnection_fee":"$30.00 during normal business hours (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. local time); minimum $145.00 after normal business hours, per §VI.1.d Service Charges, 1st Revised Sheet No. 111 (filed 6/19/2026, eff. service rendered on/after 9/1/2026)","assistance_programs":"Wyoming Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), applications October 1 through March 31, online only, help line (800) 246-4221 or www.lieapwyo.org, including LIEAP crisis assistance for deposits and disconnect notices, available through April 15; and Energy Share of Wyoming, c/o Align, 822 W 23rd St, Cheyenne, (877) 461-5419, which Montana-Dakota customers may fund through a bill donation.","shutoff_rules_notes":"MDU's Wyoming natural gas tariff, W.P.S.C. Tariff No. 3, \"Conditions of Service\" Rate 100 §22(a) (Original Sheet No. 103, filed 10/31/2024, eff. service rendered on/after 8/1/2025), Docket No. 30013-415-GR-24: \"The Company may discontinue service by reason of nonpayment after issuing a disconnect notice and upon not less than 7 days' notice of proposed termination for residential customers and not less than 3 days' notice for nonresidential customers.\" §22 administers this \"in accordance with Chapter 3, Section 9 of the Wyoming Public Service Commission's Rules\"; the tariff does not say calendar vs. business days, so 7 is recorded as stated. §22(h), Reconnection After Nonpayment, sends the charge to §VI.1.d, Service Charges, which on 1st Revised Sheet No. 111 (filed 6/19/2026, eff. service rendered on/after 9/1/2026, Docket No. 30013-429-GT-26) lists \"Reconnect charge after discontinuation of service for nonpayment or other causes\" as $30.00 during normal business hours 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and a minimum of $145.00 after normal business hours. Assistance programs are taken from Montana-Dakota's own Low-Income Assistance Programs page, Wyoming sections, https://www.montana-dakota.com/customer-service/low-income-assistance-programs/ (fetched 2026-09-22); the tariff itself names no program.","source_url":"https://www.montana-dakota.com/wp-content/uploads/PDFs/Rates-Tariffs/Wyoming/NaturalGas/WYnaturalGas100.pdf","source_title":"W.P.S.C. Tariff No. 3, Rate 100 – Conditions of Service","source_date":"2026-09-22"}],"water_utilities":[{"name":"Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities","service_area":"City of Cheyenne, Wyoming; municipal water and sewer utility operated by the city's Board of Public Utilities (BOPU)","notice_days":15,"reconnection_fee":null,"assistance_programs":null,"shutoff_rules_notes":"BOPU is a city-owned utility, so it is outside Wyoming Public Service Commission jurisdiction and the investor-owned tariffs above do not bind it: Wyo. Stat. §37-1-101(a)(vi)(E) excludes from \"public utility\" any water facility \"owned by a municipality,\" and §37-1-101(a)(vi)(H)(II) provides that \"[n]one of the provisions of this chapter\" - chapter 1 of Title 37, which carries the definitions and the Commission's grant of authority - apply \"[t]o public utilities owned and operated by a municipality of the state of Wyoming,\" except as to service extended outside the corporate limits (fetched at https://www.wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title37.pdf). The City of Cheyenne's own code governs instead. Cheyenne Municipal Code §13.04.180, \"Disconnection for nonpayment,\" as codified (Ord. No. 4416, §1, 2-28-22; 2001 In-house code §44-21): if the consumer \"fails to request a review within seven days of notice of a delinquent bill and notice of the opportunity for review, and if payment is not made within fifteen (15) days from the date of the notice, the water shall be shut off\" and a late penalty under §13.04.170 \"must be paid in full before water service is resumed.\" If a review is requested and delinquency is found, shutoff follows 5 days after that determination instead. The code adds that \"[n]otice under this section is deemed received by the consumer within three days of mailing\"; the 15 days is measured from the date of the notice, and no total is computed here. Confirmed current, not a proposal: the cited text is the codified section in Municode job 494452, Supplement 73, \"Codified through (Covering Ordinances through 4662 passed March 23, 2026),\" and Ord. No. 4416 appears as the adopted source note on the section itself. Neither the reconnection fee nor the late-payment penalty amount is in the code - §13.04.140 and §13.04.170 leave both to be established by the BOPU and approved by the governing body - and BOPU's own rate schedule at cheyennebopu.org could not be read from this environment (the host returns a blanket Akamai HTTP 403, including for robots.txt), so reconnection_fee and assistance_programs are left null rather than guessed. Fetch note for re-verifiers: the reader-facing page for this section is https://library.municode.com/wy/cheyenne/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT13PUSE_CH13.04PUUTGE_13.04.180DINO, but it is a client-rendered app that returns a ~20-byte shell to a plain HTTP request, so source_url points instead at Municode's own content service, which returns the full section text to an ordinary fetch. Rebuild that URL if the supplement changes: api.municode.com/Clients/stateAbbr?stateAbbr=WY gives ClientID 1625, api.municode.com/Products/clientId/1625 gives ProductID 16266, and api.municode.com/Jobs/latest/16266 gives the current jobId.","source_url":"https://api.municode.com/CodesContent?jobId=494452&nodeId=TIT13PUSE_CH13.04PUUTGE_13.04.180DINO&productId=16266","source_title":"Cheyenne, Wyoming Municipal Code §13.04.180 – Disconnection for nonpayment (Municode content service)","source_date":"2026-09-22"}]}]