Attorney General Chris Koster reminds us that Missouri’s hot weather rule prohibits utilities from disconnecting electrical services due to nonpayment when the temperature exceeds 95 degrees.

If they do you should call Koster’s consumer hotline at 1-800-392-8222 for assistance.

The Consumer Protection hotline is operated during normal business hours. Consumers should also remind the utility that it is barred from disconnecting service under Missouri State Statute 660.123.

“Missouri’s hot-weather rule, like our cold-weather rule, serves as an important protection for people in extreme weather conditions,” Koster said. “I believe most utility companies will be diligent in following the rule. However, if a utility mistakenly shuts off a consumer’s electricity, we will be there to work on behalf of the consumer to get electricity restored.”

Missouri’s hot weather rule automatically goes into effect when the temperature is projected to exceed 95 degrees, or when the heat index is projected to exceed 100 degrees. Those temperatures are currently predicted through the Fourth of July and next weekend.