NORFOLK, Neb. -- Nov. 1 marks the implementation of the cold weather rule which is... "put in place to help utilities work with customers to manage that higher heating bill that they're going to see with the colder weather,” said Brandy Johnson Black Hills Energy Regional Community Affairs Manager

The rule was created by the Nebraska Public Service Commission in 2003 allotting an extra 30 days of time for customers to pay their utility bills before disconnection. 

"The commission got an authority from the legislature to regulate the jurisdiction of utilities in Nebraska, and one of the things that we did was a rule making that included some extra protections for customers during the winter months,” said Director of the PSC Natural Gas Department Nichole Mulachy. 

The PSC knows that this time of year can be hard on customers, making it important for Black Hills Energy and NorthWestern Energy to work with them. 

"Everybody wants to try to keep people from having disconnections of service,” Mulachy said. "I mean nobody benefits; nobody wins in that situation."

Black Hills Energy said that they encourage customers in need of assistance to reach out as there are resources at their disposal. 

"Energy assistance dollars through the Salvation Army, the special payment arrangements available through the cold weather rule, and then of course there's additional funding if you need help paying your energy bill,” Johnson said. 

To save on bills, customers are advised to keep thermostats set at 68 degrees or lower, to check their appliances, or participate in their gas company's yearly budget plan. 

The cold weather rule will stay in effect until March 31.