PUC asking for input on energy affordability in Minnesota

On September 23, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) formally announced it has opened an investigation to assess the affordability of electric and natural gas utility service in Minnesota.  CUB appreciates the PUC for taking this proactive action to better understand Minnesotans’ energy affordability challenges and to identify opportunities to address those challenges. We look forward to participating in the investigation. This article provides a brief overview of what the PUC is calling for in the investigation and how you, as an electric or natural gas consumer, can participate.

What is the PUC hoping to accomplish? 

According to the PUC’s announcement, the investigation is intended to gather “public and public and stakeholder input and develop practical recommendations that utilities, the Commission, the Governor, the Legislature or the Federal government could implement to improve the affordability of rate-regulated electric and natural gas utility service in Minnesota.” 

Specifically, the PUC intends to investigate how customers of the above utilities “experience electric and natural gas costs; how affordability should be defined and measured for different types of customers; the principal sources of affordability concern; potential improvements; and the costs, benefits, and trade-offs associated with possible reforms.” 

What process will the investigation follow? 

The PUC has engaged a third-party to help facilitate the investigation. The facilitator will lead three informational sessions, hosted by the PUC, on selected topics. Those sessions are scheduled to occur from 9:30am to 12:30pm on October 13, November 2, and December 8.  

More information on the content of each session and how to view them will be made available on the Commission’s calendar. The Commission also invites written comments on specific topics identified in its announcement: 

1. How are electric and natural gas costs affecting households, businesses, agricultural customers, and other customer groups in Minnesota?  
2. Under Minnesota statutes, section 216B.16, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is directed to primarily rely on cost-of-service regulation in setting rates. What additional measures or metrics should be considered to evaluate whether utility service is affordable for different types of customers? What aspects of utility bills, rates, or recent cost increases are creating the greatest affordability concerns?  
3. What actions by utilities, the Commission, the Legislature, or other entities could most effectively improve utility affordability?  
4. What costs, benefits, and trade-offs should the Commission consider when evaluating measures intended to improve affordability?  
5. Are there effective approaches or policies used in other jurisdictions that could help inform Minnesota’s consideration of utility affordability? If so, what lessons should Minnesota draw from those approaches? 

Can members of the public participate? 

Yes. Members of the public can view the informational sessions and can submit public comments to the PUC on the above topics.  

If you are interested in submitting a public comment, you can email your comment directly to consumer.puc@state.mn.us, file it online at here, or mail it to the PUC's Consumer Affairs Office.

Written comments are due by 4:30pm on Friday, October 16. If you plan to file one, you should reference PUC Docket Number 26-341 and keep in mind that your comment will be publicly viewable on the Commission’s online efiling system. This PUC resource provides useful tips on filing an effective public comment.