Disconnection Policy
Information on your bill includes the date when payment is due. After that date, the bill is considered past due and service may be discontinued upon five days' written notice. We hope our relationship with you never reaches this point, but if it does, here are the rules and procedures that govern service disconnections:
Non-Cold Weather Disconnections
Before your electric service is disconnected, we'll send you a written notice by first-class mail, explaining the reason. If nonpayment of a bill is the reason for the disconnection, a Minnesota Power representative can accept payment of the past due account and not disconnect your electricity. With written notice, electric service may be disconnected if:
- You fail to pay your bill for utility service, but only when the amount of the outstanding bill equals or exceeds the amount of any deposit;
- You fail to meet Minnesota Power's deposit and credit requirements;
- You fail to make proper application for service;
- You violate any of Minnesota Power's regulations on file with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC);
- You fail to provide Minnesota Power reasonable access to its equipment and property;
- You breach the contract for service;
- You fail to provide such service, equipment, and/or rights-of-way necessary for service as specified by Minnesota Power as a condition of obtaining service;
- It is necessary for Minnesota Power to comply with any order or request of any governmental authority having jurisdiction. Such written notice may not be given, however, if your electric usage is unauthorized or posing a serious hazard. Electricity may be disconnected immediately and without notice if there is illegal activity, such as meter tampering or diverting current, or if a condition exists which would be hazardous to you, other customers, utility equipment or the public.
Minnesota Power will not knowingly disconnect your service while you are properly pursuing a complaint with us or through the MPUC. If we have tried and have been unsuccessful in resolving a dispute through established procedures, our last recourse would be to disconnect.
Cold Weather Disconnections
Special procedures in cold weather months in Minnesota govern disconnection of residential electric service that affects primary heating sources. These rules, issued by the MPUC, are in effect from October 15 through April 15 and are intended to minimize customer hardship during the heating season. The Cold Weather Rule does not forbid winter shut off. If you receive a shut off during the winter months, you must act promptly and call Minnesota Power at 1-800-228-4966 to apply for Cold Weather Rule protection and set up a payment plan. Your service will be subject to disconnection without further notice if you do not make the agreed upon payments. If you cannot keep your original payment plan, call Minnesota Power immediately and make a new payment plan to avoid disconnection.
Please visit the Minnesota Cold Weather Rule Protections page for more information.
