CUB's 2025 Year in Review
The year is coming to a close, and I’m reflecting on everything the Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota has achieved since our founding in 2016. Our small but mighty team works day-in and day-out to protect consumers, monitor utility corporations, and provide direct support to Minnesotans in every corner of the state.
This year alone, we’ve served over 5,000 Minnesotans, championed nation-leading ratepayer protections at the state Capitol, and advocated in over 20 proceedings before the state Public Utilities Commission.
In this moment, I know that CUB’s work is essential. Household bills are up across the board, and the global climate crisis needs immediate action. Meanwhile, utility corporate earnings increase year after year.
We must keep utility bills as low as possible, so every Minnesotan can keep the lights on and the heat running.
We must be sure utilities follow the law, provide reliable and affordable service, and spend ratepayer funds prudently.
We must decarbonize our utility system as rapidly as possible, in a way that is affordable and fair for all Minnesotans—especially those who are already struggling to keep up with their utility bills.
Serving 5,000 Minnesotans
Across over 80 events throughout the state and hundreds of phone calls, emails, and online messages, CUB has provided direct support to over 5,000 Minnesotans this year. Every week our staff helps consumers navigate disconnections, find the right rates and resources, understand their rights, and plan for a clean home energy future.
Data Centers
We helped pass nation-leading legislation to make sure data centers cover their own costs. Elsewhere, the data center boom is raising Americans’ power bills. In Minnesota, though, the new law requires data centers to pay their fair share, ensures ratepayers won’t be stuck with the bill for utility infrastructure if a data center leaves town, and requires the electricity provided to new data centers to meet Minnesota’s carbon-free standard. CUB is now engaged in the hard work of making sure this promise is carried out through detailed proceedings at the PUC.
Affordability Programs
We spearheaded legislation to protect essential utility affordability programs. Earlier this year, the entire federal staff responsible for administering the federal Energy Assistance program (LIHEAP) was laid off, and the White House proposed eliminating the program altogether. CUB quickly built consensus for a state law change so Minnesotans could continue to access utility programs that were otherwise administratively tied to LIHEAP. Thankfully, federal LIHEAP has now been funded for another year—but the threat remains. CUB is continuing our efforts to shore up and expand important assistance programs.
Private Purchase of Minnesota Power
We spent countless hours advocating against the private equity acquisition of Minnesota Power. After careful evaluation, we concluded that the proposed sale created more risks than benefits for Minnesotans. The PUC ultimately approved the acquisition, but not without significant conditions informed by our advocacy. CUB will continue to stand up for ratepayers regardless of who owns the northern Minnesota utility.
Saving Minnesotans Millions
We helped save Minnesotans more than $40 million through our advocacy against rate hikes by CenterPoint and Xcel Gas. There are now three new rate increase requests before state regulators: Xcel Electric, Otter Tail Power, and Xcel Gas (yes, again!) have all filed rate cases. We’ll fight to ensure any increases are fair and Minnesotans have affordable utility service.
Clean Heat for All Minnesotans
CUB is leading the effort for an affordable transition to clean heat. Ever-increasing capital spending by gas companies is driving up gas rates. As gas use declines, continuing on this path could result in skyrocketing bills—particularly for renters and lower-income families who will have difficulty making their homes more efficient or electric. Because of CUB’s advocacy, gas utilities must now submit long-term plans to public scrutiny and regulatory approval. In 2026, we look forward to the first gas “integrated resource plan” getting underway. And we continue to co-lead the Clean Heat Minnesota coalition, collaborating with dozens of community organizations, advocates, and cities, including many who haven’t before participated at the PUC.
Here’s the truth: one in eight Minnesota households is behind on their utility bills. Over 86,000 households have already been shut off this year. Too many households have to make tough decisions between keeping the lights on, paying the rent/mortgage, or buying groceries. CUB is committed to both providing direct support to Minnesotans through these tough times and translating this experience to meaningful policy change.
Our small team has accomplished a lot since 2016, but there is much more still to be done. Every week we go up against some of the largest corporations in the state. That’s why we need your support: to make sure Minnesotans have a strong, reliable voice before decision makers.
Your support will keep us going as we enter into our 10th year of advocacy. Donate today.
