Electric shutoff rules and winter protections
Rules on shutting off power for unpaid bills differ by state, by utility and by season. This page covers all 50 states and DC: for 49 we read the rule text itself, for 2 a secondary source, for 0 only the federal summary. It is not legal advice.
State by state
Each row paraphrases the rule or statute we read and says how sure we are. Rule text read means we read the section at the linked source on 2 October 2026. Secondary source means a commission page or a mirror, not the rule. Summary only means we found nothing better than the HHS LIHEAP Clearinghouse summary, so the state page says to verify with the commission.
| State | Rule or statute | Winter / hot weather | Notice | Payment plan | Confidence and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Ala. Admin. Code r. 770-X-1-.12 (Alabama PSC General Rules, collection of delinquent accounts and discontinuance of service for nonpayment) | winter: Rule .12(2)(e): no residential electric or natural gas service may be disconnected for nonpayment when the... | At least 5 days written notice of intent to discontinue after the account is delinquent... | Each utility must give at least one employee in each office power to extend the payment... | Rule text read; state official (Alabama Legislative Services Agency admin code, chapter PDF; chapter page https://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/administrative-code/770-X-1) |
| Alaska | 3 AAC 52.450 (Disconnection of service) with 3 AAC 52.445 (Deferred payment agreements) and 3 AAC 52.400 (Application) | winter: no season or temperature ban found in the text read; heat: no season or temperature ban found in the text read | Standard: written notice mailed or delivered at least 15 days before disconnection (copy... | 3 AAC 52.445: for a residential customer showing economic hardship, utility may not... | Rule text read; state official (Alaska Legislature AAC print view); also read on Cornell LII https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/alaska/3-AAC-52.450 (source of effective dates) |
| Arizona | Ariz. Admin. Code R14-2-211 | winter: Each utility adopts only one of two options (A)(11): (a) no termination of residential service while the NWS... | (D)(1) at least 10 days' advance written notice (customer's preferred method or US mail)... | (A)(9): utility may require a deferred payment agreement within seven business days for... | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| Arkansas | 23 CAR 455-601 to 455-619 (Arkansas PSC General Service Rules), esp. 455-604, 455-613, 455-615, 455-617, 455-618 | winter: 455-615(a): electric and gas utilities may not suspend residential service on a day when the NWS forecasts 32 F... | 455-604: written notice at least 5 calendar days before suspension, first-class mail to... | 455-613: utility must offer a delayed payment agreement to a qualifying residential... | Rule text read; state official (APSC rules PDF); consumer page https://apsc.arkansas.gov/consumer-services/suspension-of-service/ |
| California | Cal. Public Utilities Code § 779.1 | winter: No season or temperature ban in Pub. Util. Code §§ 779.1, 779.2 or 777.1 (read in full). The only weather rule... | At least 19 days from the mailing of the bill to pay; termination notice mailed not... | Notice must describe the procedure to request amortization of the unpaid charges... | Rule text read; state official (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) |
| Colorado | 4 CCR 723-3, rule 3407 | winter: 3407(e)(VII)(A): utility must postpone discontinuance of residential service any day the NWS local forecast... | Notice timing not in 3407 text read (rule 3408). 3407(e): no disconnection outside 8... | (e)(II): no discontinuance if customer pays at least one-tenth of the amount on the... | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| Connecticut | Regs. Conn. State Agencies 16-3-100 (Termination of utility service) | winter: From Nov 1 to Apr 15 inclusive, utility may not terminate or refuse to reinstate residential electric or gas... | No termination earlier than 13 days after notice mailed first-class to customer (and... | 16-3-100(b)(3)(A): residential gas or electric customer must first be offered a... | Rule text read; state official (CT eRegulations portal, Secretary of the State) |
| Delaware | 26 Del. Admin. Code 3002 (Regulations Governing Termination of Residential Electric or Natural Gas Service by Public Utilities for Non-Payment During Extreme Seasonal Temperature Conditions), esp. 3002-3.0 and 3002-6.0 | winter: Heating season Nov 15 to Mar 31 (3002-2.0). No termination for non-payment on a day when the NWS 8:00 A.M.... | During heating or cooling season: written notice (first-class mail to billing address) at... | Notice must offer initial installment agreement: current bills plus monthly installments... | Rule text read; state official (Delaware Register of Regulations admin code page); also read on Cornell LII https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/delaware/26-Del-Admin-Code-SS-3002-6.0 with identical text |
| District of Columbia | 15 DCMR 310-312, 306, 320 (Chapter 3, Consumer Rights and Responsibilities) | winter: 310.3(a): electric utility may not disconnect residential electric service for nonpayment, missed deposit or... | 311.3: disconnection notice sent to billing address by first-class mail or technological... | 306 and 311.6: utility and customer may enter a deferred payment agreement; no interest... | Rule text read; commission page (DC PSC compiled Chapter 15-3 PDF; PSC says official copy is on dcregs.dc.gov, which was under maintenance) |
| Florida | Fla. Admin. Code R. 25-6.105 | winter: no season or temperature ban found in the text read (R 25-6.105 has none); heat: no hot-weather ban found in... | At least 5 working days' written notice, separate from the bill, after a diligent attempt... | No payment-plan requirement in this rule; deferred payment not read (tariff/other rule). | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| Georgia | Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 515-3-2-.01 to .06 (residential electric and gas utility service disconnections), esp. 515-3-2-.04 | winter: 515-3-2-.04(1): between Nov 15 and Mar 15 a utility may not discontinue residential service for an unpaid bill... | 515-3-2-.02: written notice delivered at least 5 days before disconnection to service... | The only installment arrangement found is the written agreement tied to the Nov 15 - Mar... | Rule text read; Cornell LII (also read .01, .02, .03, .05, .06; subject page https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/georgia/department-515/chapter-515-3/subject-515-3-2) |
| Hawaii | Hawaiian Electric Co. Tariff Rule No. 7, Discontinuance and Restoration of Service (Sheets 15, 16, 16.1, 16A), as approved by the Hawaii PUC; no statewide PUC residential disconnection rule text found | winter: no season or temperature ban found in the text read; heat: no season or temperature ban found in the text read | Nonpayment: written notice giving at least 5 days, excluding Sundays and holidays, to... | Not addressed in Rule 7 as read. Rule 7B (effective Aug 1 2026) lets the company limit... | Secondary source; other (utility tariff PDF on hawaiianelectric.com; not a PUC administrative rule) |
| Idaho | IDAPA 31.21.01.304, .306, .308, .313 (Customer Relations Rules for Electric, Gas and Water Utilities, Idaho PUC) | winter: Rule 306: from Dec through Mar no gas/electric utility may terminate or threaten termination of a residential... | Rule 304: written notice mailed at least 7 calendar days before termination (email only... | Rule 313: utility continues service if customer and utility agree on a reasonable payment... | Rule text read; Cornell LII (rules .304, .306, .308, .311, .313 read at same URL pattern) |
| Illinois | 83 Ill. Adm. Code 280.130 (Disconnection of Service), 280.135 (Winter Disconnection, Dec 1-Mar 31), 280.160 (Medical Certification), 280.230 (Commission Complaint Process) | winter: 280.130(n)(1): no termination of residential gas/electric service (where it is the only space heat source) on... | 280.130(e)-(g),(j): written notice sent separately by U.S. mail or hand delivered; no... | 280.135: winter DPA of at least 4 months (not beyond the following November), down... | Rule text read; Wayback of Cornell LII (ilga.gov blocked) |
| Indiana | 170 IAC 4-1-16; Ind. Code 8-1-2-121 (winter, via OUCC page) | winter: 170 IAC 4-1-16 has no season or temperature ban. OUCC page (secondary): between December 1 and March 15... | (e): 14 days' prior written notice by mail or personal delivery, not before the account... | (c)(2): no disconnection if customer shows cause for inability to pay (hardship) and pays... | Rule text read; Cornell LII (rule); Indiana OUCC page https://www.in.gov/oucc/about-your-rates/winter-disconnection-moratorium-frequently-asked-questions/ (statute summary) |
| Iowa | Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-20.4(14)-(15) (electric customer relations: disconnection, special circumstances) and 199-20.4(8) payment agreements | winter: 20.4(15)(8): no disconnection where electricity is the only space-heating source (or runs the only heating... | 20.4(14): written notice mailed to last-known address; disconnection date at least 12... | 20.4(8): customer with disconnection notice or disconnected under 120 days must be... | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| Kansas | KCC Electric, Natural Gas and Water Billing Standards, Sections IV (D, E) and V (Cold Weather Rule); not a K.A.R. citation found | winter: Section V: Nov 1 through Mar 31, no disconnection when the local NWS forecasts the temperature will drop below... | Section IV.E: written notice 10 days before discontinuing; Cold Weather Rule section... | Cold Weather Rule: customer informs utility of inability to pay, pays 1/12 of arrearage... | Rule text read; state official (KCC Billing Standards PDF) plus KCC Cold Weather Rule page https://www.kcc.ks.gov/consumer-information/cold-weather-rule |
| Kentucky | 807 KAR 5:006, Sections 15 and 16 | winter: Winter provisions are November 1 to March 31: Section 15(3): electric or gas utility may not terminate for 30... | 15(1)(f)1: at least ten days' written notice of intent to terminate (mail or otherwise... | 15(2)(b) partial payment plan under Section 14 bars termination while kept; 15(3)(c) and... | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| Louisiana | LPSC General Order R-29706 (Second Amended), Disconnection of Service: Electric and Gas Utilities, Oct 5, 2007 | winter: Utility may not disconnect a residential customer in a parish on a day when the previous day's highest... | Not stated (not covered by the order read) | Not stated (not covered by the order read) | Rule text read; Wayback of LPSC order PDF (direct fetch blocked by Cloudflare) |
| Maine | 65-407 CMR Chapter 815, Consumer Protection Standards for Electric and Gas T&D Utilities, Sections 10 (disconnection) and 11 (medical emergency) | winter: Winter Disconnection Period Nov 15 through Apr 15: utility may not disconnect any residential customer without... | Section 10: residential customers get written notice at least 14 calendar days before the... | Section 9: utility must continue service if customer enters a payment arrangement for the... | Rule text read; state official (Maine PUC PDF) |
| Maryland | COMAR 20.31.03.04 (with definition in COMAR 20.31.01.02B(9)) | winter: A utility may not terminate service for nonpayment to any customer if its designated weather station area is in... | Not read in this session for ordinary nonpayment (COMAR 20.31.02 only the no-notice... | Only referenced: payment agreement under COMAR 20.31.01.08 required within 30 days of a... | Rule text read; Cornell LII (definitions read at https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/maryland/COMAR-20-31-01-02) |
| Massachusetts | 220 CMR 25.03 | winter: Between Nov 15 and Mar 15 a company may not shut off or refuse to restore service where the customer certifies... | Arrearage notices must carry a prominent notice of the protections; heating accounts get... | verify with commission | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| Michigan | Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.138 | winter: Rule 38(1)(b): shutoff prohibited during the heating season when the customer is an eligible senior citizen.... | verify with commission | verify with commission | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| Minnesota | Minn. Stat. § 216B.096 (investor-owned) and § 216B.097 (municipal and co-op) | winter: Cold weather period October 1 to April 30. 216B.096 subd. 5: utility may not disconnect and must reconnect... | 216B.096 subd. 4/7: commission-approved notice by personal service or first-class mail... | Subd. 5: payment agreement based on household financial resources, cap of 10% of... | Rule text read; state official |
| Mississippi | Miss. Admin. Code Title 39, Part III (PSC Rules and Regulations Governing Public Utility Service), Rules 8.100, 8.105, 8.120, 8.125 (with Rule 1.100) | winter: Mid-winter rule (Rule 8.120): Dec, Jan, Feb and Mar, a residential electric or gas customer unable to pay in... | At least 5 days written notice, stating a date on or after which discontinuance may... | Rule 8.105(1): residential customers have the right to negotiate a delayed payment plan... | Rule text read; commission page (official PSC PDF of the Rules) |
| Missouri | Mo. Code Regs. tit. 20, 4240-13.010, 13.050, 13.055, 13.070 (Chapter 13, residential service and billing practices) | winter: Cold Weather Rule (13.055), Nov 1-Mar 31, heat-related electric/gas service: no shutoff on any day the NWS... | 13.050(5): written notice by first-class mail at least 10 days before discontinuance (or... | 13.055(10): cold-weather payment agreement; utility first offers a 12-month budget plan... | Rule text read; Wayback of state official (MO Secretary of State Code of State Regulations PDF, 11/30/23 edition) |
| Montana | Mont. Admin. R. 38.5.1401-38.5.1418 (Subchapter 38.5.14, Termination of Gas and Electric Service); read 1401-1415, 1418 | winter: 38.5.1410: Nov 1 to Apr 1, and any day the 8 a.m. temperature is at or below freezing or a snowstorm/freezing... | 38.5.1405: written notice required; if no response within 10 days of the first notice... | 38.5.1415: when a customer cannot pay in full the utility may keep serving if they agree... | Rule text read; Wayback of state official (Montana Secretary of State rules.mt.gov); 38.5.1405-1408 read on Cornell LII |
| Nebraska | Neb. Rev. Stat. 70-1601 to 70-1613 (esp. 70-1605, 70-1606, 70-1608 to 70-1612) | verify with commission | 70-1605: notice in person, by first-class mail or (if elected) electronic delivery... | 70-1606(1)(i): notice must state that the subscriber may arrange an installment payment... | Rule text read; Wayback of state official (nebraskalegislature.gov statute pages) |
| Nevada | Nev. Admin. Code 704.341, 704.346, 704.350-704.390 (esp. 704.355, 704.360, 704.370, 704.372, 704.375, 704.390) | winter: No calendar-season ban found. 704.375(6): termination for nonpayment must be postponed during a forecast period... | 704.360: written initial notice at least 10 days before termination (personal service... | 704.341: utility must offer deferred payment on request if the customer agrees in writing... | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| New Hampshire | N.H. Code Admin. R. Puc 1201.02, 1202 (definitions), 1203.07, 1203.11, 1204.01-1204.06, 1205.01-1205.02 (Chapter Puc 1200) | winter: Winter period Nov 15 through Mar 31 (Puc 1202). Disconnection notice only after arrears exceed $225 (electric... | Puc 1203.11(b): written notice postmarked 14 calendar days before disconnection, with... | Puc 1203.07: utility shall keep serving a residential customer who cannot pay in full if... | Rule text read; Wayback of state official (NH General Court administrative rules page); sections also read on Cornell LII |
| New Jersey | N.J. Admin. Code 14:3-3A.1 to 14:3-3A.5 (read 3A.1-3A.7) | winter: 14:3-3A.5: Nov 15-Mar 15 "heating season"; no discontinuance for residential customers who show they are on... | 3A.3: at least 20 days after the original bill postmark before a notice is sent; written... | 3A.4(h)3: every notice must tell the customer they may contact the utility about a... | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| New Mexico | 17.5.410 NMAC (esp. 17.5.410.7, .30, .31, .32, .33, .39, .40, .43) | winter: Heating season defined as Nov 15 through Mar 15. During heating season no disconnection for nonpayment of a... | At least 15 days written notice (in person, US mail, or email if customer elected... | Utility must attempt to arrange an installment agreement when a customer not chronically... | Rule text read; state official (NM State Records Center and Archives, NMAC) |
| New York | 16 NYCRR § 11.5 | winter: Nov 1 - Apr 15, for residential heat-related service: utility must try to contact the customer or adult... | 72-hour contact in cold season ((c)(2)(i)); final notice 15 days before termination after... | Elderly/blind/disabled: plan may include deferred payment agreement ((b)(2)); medical... | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| North Carolina | NCUC Rule R12-11 (Disconnection of residential customer's electric service); also R12-8, R12-12 | winter: No blanket season ban. For bills rendered Nov 1-Mar 31, notice must state no termination without express NCUC... | At least 10 days written notice of proposed termination, with stated reasons, date... | Notice must say service will not be terminated if customer shows inability to pay in full... | Rule text read; state official (NCUC consolidated rules PDF, text extracted) |
| North Dakota | N.D. Admin. Code 69-09-02-05.1 (Discontinuance of electric service) | winter: no season or temperature ban found in the text read; heat: no season or temperature ban found in the text read | Written notice by first-class mail (personal delivery for 65+/handicapped), at least ten... | Customer has the right to work out a satisfactory deferred installment agreement; if... | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| Ohio | Ohio Adm. Code 4901:1-18-06 | winter: Nov 1 - Apr 15: if the customer has not paid or arranged payment by the date on the 14-day notice, utility must... | At least 14 days' notice before disconnection, during normal business hours; no... | Notice must explain payment plans under 4901:1-18-05 and PIPP plus; in Nov 1 - Apr 15... | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| Oklahoma | OAC 165:35-21-10, -11, -20 (Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Chapter 35 Electric Utility Rules) | winter: If the NWS local forecast predicts below 32 F at any time in the next 24 hours, utility must suspend... | First residential notice: at least 10 days written notice from mailing by first-class... | Utility must offer a deferred payment agreement before disconnecting a residential... | Rule text read; state official (OCC chapter 35 PDF, effective 10-1-24 edition) |
| Oregon | OAR 860-021-0407 (severe weather), 0410 (medical), 0405 (notice), 0415 (payment), 0320, 0305 | winter: 0407(1): moratorium on residential nonpayment disconnection any day a high temperature of less than 32F is... | 0405(3),(5): at least 15 days' written notice by personal service or first-class mail... | 0415: no disconnection for nonpayment if customer enters a written time-payment plan... | Rule text read; other mirror (oregon.public.law, rule text accessed May 26, 2025 per page); 0305 also read on Cornell LII |
| Pennsylvania | 52 Pa. Code § 56.100 | winter: Unless the Commission otherwise authorizes, Dec 1 - Mar 31 an electric distribution utility may not terminate... | Not set in § 56.100 itself; refers to §§ 56.91-56.95 (notice and personal contact), not... | verify with commission | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| Rhode Island | 810-RICR-10-00-1 (Rules and Regulations Governing the Termination of Residential Electric, Gas and Water Service), esp. 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.9, 1.17(F) | winter: Moratorium period Nov 1 to May 1 (amended to May 1 effective 6/23/2025). During it, no gas/electric utility may... | Written notice mailed to be received at least 10 days before disconnection; no... | Utilities must offer a 10- or 12-month budget payment plan and inform customers; customer... | Rule text read; state official (RI Secretary of State Code of Regulations) |
| South Carolina | S.C. Code Regs. 103-342 and 103-352 (Procedures for Termination of Service); 103-345 | winter: December through March: no termination of residential service if customer or household member furnishes a... | At least 10 days mailed notice of termination with payment/installment info and ORS... | Utility must arrange a deferred payment plan for residential customers unable to pay: not... | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| South Dakota | ARSD 20:10:20:03, 20:10:20:05, 20:10:20:06, 20:10:20:10, 20:10:20:11 | winter: Nov 1 to Mar 31: utility may not disconnect residential service without adding 30 extra days to the normal... | Customer needs payment period of at least 20 days from billing to due date plus 10-day... | Disconnection conditions include that the customer is unwilling to enter a reasonable... | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| Tennessee | Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1220-04-04-.19 (cited in the PDF as 1220-4-4-.19, Tennessee Regulatory Authority rules, ch. 1220-4-4, July 2006 revision), with .03, .20, .23 | winter: No season or temperature ban found in the text read.; heat: No season or temperature ban found in the text read. | Termination notice (may be on the bill) must set a date at least 7 days after it is sent... | Notice must give number where customer can 'enter into a service continuation agreement'... | Rule text read; state official (TN Secretary of State rules PDF) |
| Texas | 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.483 | winter: No disconnection for nonpayment for any customer in a county with an 'extreme weather emergency': a day when... | Notice may not be issued before the first day after the bill is due; must be a separate... | During an extreme weather emergency the REP must offer residential customers, on request... | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| Utah | Utah Admin. Code R746-200-7 | winter: No calendar or temperature ban found in the text read. Only winter element: personal notification (visit or... | G(1): at least 10 calendar days written notice (30 days if life-supporting equipment... | D(2)(b): for life-support accounts, offer deferred payment agreement under R746-200-5, or... | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| Vermont | Vt. PUC Rule 3.300 (Disconnection of Residential Gas, Electric, and Water Service), secs. 3.301-3.307 | winter: Nov 1-Mar 31: no gas/electric disconnection unless extra contact steps met (oral contact within 96 hours... | Written notice on approved form (or electronic notice) sent not more than 20 nor less... | No disconnection if customer has not been offered a reasonable repayment plan (and, for... | Rule text read; state official (Vermont Public Utility Commission PDF) |
| Virginia | Va. Code 56-245.1:3 and 56-245.1:4; 56-247.1(A)(4); 20VAC5-330-10 to -40 | winter: Electric utility may not disconnect residential customer for nonpayment when forecast low is at or below 32 F... | Statute: at least two of mail, email, text, phone call, door hanger; no disconnection... | Utility must make reasonable efforts to offer bill payment assistance, arrange a payment... | Rule text read; state official (Virginia Law / LIS) |
| Washington | WAC 480-100-143 (winter) and WAC 480-100-128 (disconnection) | winter: WAC 480-100-143: between November 15 and March 15 an electric utility may not discontinue residential space... | 128(4): two separate notices: first in writing (mail or door) at least eight business... | WAC 480-100-143 plan as above (seven percent of income); WAC 480-100-138 payment... | Rule text read; state official |
| West Virginia | W. Va. CSR 150-3 (Rules for the Government of Electric Utilities), Rule 4.8 (utility discontinuance of service) | winter: Nov 1-Mar 31 is a 'Seasonal Time Period': no ban, but utility must make three personal-contact attempts (incl.... | Written Form 14-E by first class mail postmarked at least 10 days before termination... | Residential customer may negotiate a deferred payment agreement; standard plan is 12... | Rule text read; state official (WV Secretary of State CSR, Word file; PDF is image-only) |
| Wisconsin | Wis. Admin. Code PSC 113.0301, 113.0304, 113.0404, 113.01 | winter: PSC 113.0304 applies Nov 1-Apr 15 to nonpayment disconnection of service providing the primary heat source... | 10 calendar days' written notice by first class mail or personal service on a responsible... | Utility must offer deferred payment agreements to residential accounts; must allow... | Rule text read; Cornell LII |
| Wyoming | Wyo. PSC Rules, Ch. 3, Sec. 9 (Discontinuation of Service to Customers), Secs. 10-11, as shown in 2017 proposed-rules filing (Docket 90000-130-XO-17) | winter: Utility must try actual contact (in person or phone) before discontinuing in Nov 1-Apr 30. Discontinuation... | At least 7 calendar days' notice to residential customers (3 for commercial/industrial)... | No discontinuation if customer has agreed to a payment arrangement over a reasonable time... | Secondary source; other (Wyoming Legislature administrative-rules filing PDF, proposed text; LII/Justia mirrors not reachable) |
Source: the rule text named in each row (link in the last column), read on 2 October 2026. Where a cell says "verify with commission" we found no statement in the text we read. CSV, 51 rows, with the quote and the full source URL.
Patterns
Three kinds of protection show up: weather triggers (a forecast temperature or an advisory), calendar windows (a winter period), and customer status (medical certificate, age, income). They are conditions, not blanket bans, and most name exceptions. Many apply to investor-owned utilities and leave co-ops and city utilities to their own boards; the Covers column in the CSV says what each text says.
Protections delay a shutoff; they do not erase what you owe. Missing a form deadline can end the protection.
What to do if you are behind
Call the utility before the notice date and ask for a payment plan in writing. Ask about the state program and the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program through your state energy office; see help paying your bill, state by state. Keep every notice and note the date and name of each call.
If the answer is no and you think a rule applies, file a complaint with your state commission; each state help page lists the commission and its line.
What we did not verify
Utility-specific tariffs, municipal and co-op rules, sections of a rule we did not open, and rules set by commission order rather than in the rule. Rules for gas and water are separate; we describe electric service. Rules change, and where a text carries an effective date we show it in the state paragraph.
Key facts and where they come from
| Fact | Value | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| States and DC with rule text read | 49 | Rule text named per state, see table | retrieved 2026-10-02 |
| States and DC with a secondary source | 2 | Commission page or mirror, see table | retrieved 2026-10-02 |
| States and DC with the federal summary only | 0 | HHS ACF LIHEAP Clearinghouse disconnect policies, updated April 2026 | retrieved 2026-10-02 |
| Texas rule | No disconnection for nonpayment for any customer in a county with an 'extreme weather emergency': a day when the previous day's high did... | 16 Tex. Admin. Code § 25.483 via Cornell LII | retrieved 2026-10-02 |
| Pennsylvania rule | Unless the Commission otherwise authorizes, Dec 1 - Mar 31 an electric distribution utility may not terminate service to customers with... | 52 Pa. Code § 56.100 via Cornell LII | retrieved 2026-10-02 |
| Maryland rule | A utility may not terminate service for nonpayment to any customer if its designated weather station area is in a winter extreme weather... | COMAR 20.31.03.04 (with definition in COMAR 20.31.01.02B(9)) via Cornell LII (definitions read at https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/maryland/COMAR-20-31-01-02) | retrieved 2026-10-02 |
| Massachusetts rule | Between Nov 15 and Mar 15 a company may not shut off or refuse to restore service where the customer certifies that the service provides... | 220 CMR 25.03 via Cornell LII | retrieved 2026-10-02 |
| Ohio rule | Nov 1 - Apr 15: if the customer has not paid or arranged payment by the date on the 14-day notice, utility must not disconnect unless it... | Ohio Adm. Code 4901:1-18-06 via Cornell LII | retrieved 2026-10-02 |
Related guides
Questions
Can my power be shut off in winter?
In some states with conditions, not in others. The table lists the winter or cold-weather point for each state where we found it in the rule text; where it says verify with commission, we found none.
Is there a temperature rule?
Some states tie protection to a forecast temperature, for example 32°F in Texas and Colorado; check the row for your state.
How much notice must I get?
It varies by state. The Notice column gives the days and method where the text we read states them.
Is there a federal rule?
We did not verify a single federal rule that bars shutoffs for unpaid bills. State and utility rules are the ones that apply.
Who do I complain to?
Your state utility commission. Name varies: public utility commission, public service commission or department of public utilities. Each state help page lists it.
Do the rules cover co-ops and city utilities?
Not always. Municipal and co-op systems are often outside the commission's rules or have their own. The Covers column in the CSV records what each text says.
How current is this page?
The rule text was read on 2026-10-02. Rules change. Confirm with your commission before you rely on a date or number.
What if I rely on medical equipment?
Many states have a medical certificate process; the Who is protected point on each state help page gives it where we read it. Tell the utility early and ask for the process in writing.