January 16, 2020 Yesterday, the Minnesota Senate energy committee met in Rochester to discuss a new draft of the Clean Energy First bill, carried by Senator David Senjem. As the name suggests, the bill would require utilities to use clean sources of electricity unless they demonstrate that to do so would increase costs of make…
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…
Since last year, I’ve represented CUB on the Technical Committee for the Minnesota Solar Pathways initiative. The initiative, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, is a three-year project exploring strategies to meet Minnesota’s statutory goal of reaching 10 percent solar electricity by 2030. A Solar Potential Analysis, modeling potential costs of various renewable energy…
The Citizens Utility Board is continuously learning about energy consumers in Minnesota so we can assist them on energy matters to the best of our ability. With community solar programs becoming more popular, CUB staff would like to learn more about how people became involved with these programs and to better understand the customer experience….
One of the many things new homeowners learn is the considerable impact improvements, maintenance and energy in your home can have on your budget. That is what Nikki Bentley and her husband Jeffrey discovered after they purchased their first home, a 1954 rambler, a few years back. Nikki and Jeffrey are environmentally-conscious and want to…
Meeting Minnesota’s electricity demands mainly through renewable energy would keep the electric system reliable, drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and save the average household thousands of dollars. That is the conclusion of a new study conducted by Vibrant Clean Energy for the McKnight Foundation. The study examined options to achieve Minnesota’s statutory goal of reducing…
Last month, Great River Energy (GRE) announced that 50% of its electricity supply will come from renewable resources by 2030. This will more than double the power cooperative’s current renewable generation over the next 12 years. GRE, based in Maple Grove, is Minnesota’s second-largest electricity generator behind Xcel Energy, which announced last year that it…
CUB staff were recently in Rochester giving a presentation to Mayo Clinic staff on energy efficiency. In the crowd was Ivan Idso, who, after the presentation was over, asked if CUB would like to join him for a tour of his uber efficient home a few minutes away in Rochester. Of course, CUB staff agreed….
Happy New Year everyone! CUB is ready for the new year and busy scheduling events for 2018. We already have a full January calendar (see upcoming public events here), and it’s never too early to talk with us about inviting us to your area. CUB’s energy experts are happy to join groups of 15 or…
Last month, Xcel Energy quietly announced it is taking a big step forward for clean, affordable energy in Minnesota. This vision is good for Minnesota consumers, and CUB thanks Xcel for its leadership. Before Public Utilities Commissioners at a meeting in St. Paul on October 17, Xcel CEO Ben Fowke introduced the company’s new goal…
