If you follow this blog, you know that Xcel is in the midst of its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), the map of where Xcel will get its electricity from for the next 15 years. If you’re an Xcel customer, you care about clean energy, and/or you don’t want to be charged millions too much on…
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has unanimously denied Xcel’s request to purchase the Mankato Energy Center power plant. The PUC agreed with CUB that Xcel failed to show that spending $650 million was in the public interest and, crucially, that the utility was attempting to sidestep crucial regulatory processes in place to protect consumers from…
It’s been two months since Xcel Energy submitted its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Over the last 60 days, CUB and several other parties have had a chance to give the plan a good once (twice, three times) over. The plan brings to light, once again, the amazing transition Minnesota’s…
Today, CUB filed a formal request that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) set rules to make electricity data available for research and analysis that can reduce waste, save consumers money, and cut emissions. CUB’s request for Open Data Access Standards CUB has asked the PUC to adopt Open Data Access Standards that would allow…
Since the beginning of this year, CUB has been monitoring the proposal by Xcel Energy to purchase a 720-megawatt gas power plant in Mankato: the Mankato Energy Center (MEC). For over seven months, parties like CUB, the Department of Commerce, the Office of the Attorney General, the City of Minneapolis, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance,…
In the coming weeks, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is expected to release its Order approving two of several electric vehicle pilot programs from Xcel Energy. As many of you know, electric vehicle (EV) adoption is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. These two pilots take on several challenges that have been identified…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 27, 2019 Contact: Annie Levenson-Falk, annielf@cubminnesota.org, 612-568-5707 (cell) Citizens Utility Board Announces Regulatory Partnership for Consumer Advocacy in Xcel Energy’s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan Team of legal and technical experts will develop lowest-cost, cleanest energy path for one million Xcel consumers in Minnesota [SAINT PAUL] The Citizens Utility Board…
Yesterday, clean energy and labor organizations joined with Xcel Energy to propose that Xcel close its remaining coal plants in Minnesota by 2030, more than triple its solar power capacity, increase wind power, and make a strong commitment to energy efficiency. In addition, Xcel would purchase the Mankato Energy Center gas power plant. CUB applauds…
Have you heard the old tale about how big businesses pay too much for their utilities, and subsidize residential and small businesses utility rates? Well ya, Ole’s heard that one, too.
Minnesota Power, which provides electricity in Duluth and parts of northeast and central Minnesota recently put forward a proposal for a new demand response program to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for approval. In this blog, I’ll take a look at what demand response is, why it can be an inexpensive and clean energy resource,…
