Minnesota law will soon require electricity to be carbon-free by 2040, as the 100% clean electricity bill heads to Governor Walz’s desk. This is one of Minnesota’s largest-ever moves to address climate change. It is the result of more than four years of work by the Governor and legislative leaders, environmental experts, utilities, labor, consumer…
Published January 17, 2023 Hearings begin this week on a bill to fully decarbonize Minnesota’s electricity sector. The bill, authored by Representative Jamie Long (HF 7) and Senator Nick Frentz (SF 4) and supported by Governor Walz, would require electric utilities to provide carbon-free power by 2040, ten years earlier than Xcel Energy’s and Minnesota…
Published January 13, 2023 January 3rd marked the start of the Minnesota legislative session, and CUB is again working hard to represent consumer interests in energy policy. With the DFL now in control of the House, Senate, and Governor’s Office, we expect policymakers to be busy with climate and energy bills (and much more). Here…
Published November 23, 2022 It’s been quite a year – and we have you, our supporters, to thank! I am so proud of what we have accomplished together in 2022. The CUB community is a scrappy group, often going up against some of the largest corporations in the state. Together, we are dedicated to affordability,…
Published July 26, 2022 Otter Tail Power will soon offer an electricity bill discount to income-qualified customers after the company’s proposal was approved by the Public Utilities Commission last week. With this approval, all of Minnesota’s investor owned utilities will now offer affordability programs for customers with low incomes. Otter Tail’s program, called Uplift, will…
Published March 10, 2022 Hello from the State Capitol, where CUB is working hard to represent consumers’ interests in energy-related discussions. The Legislature passed its two-year budget last year. There is no pressure of a government shutdown should the politically divided House, Senate, and Governor fail to come to agreements, which may make it less…
Published February 9, 2022 Yesterday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) made its determination in Xcel Energy’s integrated resource plan (IRP), mapping Xcel’s future power generation. The plan will substantially reduce emissions while maintaining reliability. Under the plan, Xcel will close expensive fossil fuel generators, build out clean energy resources, help affected power plant workers…
Published January 19, 2021 CUB is recommending that three Minnesota gas utilities be required to cover $220 million in costs incurred during the storm of February 2021. Last February, Minnesota’s gas utilities spent over $600 million more than usual on gas supplies due to a brief but extreme spike in the price of natural gas…
Published January 10, 2022 New Year’s marks the conclusion of CUB’s 5th year (what!?). Looking back, I am proud of what CUB has accomplished and very optimistic about the impact that we’ll have for clean energy and affordability in 2022. Here are some of the ways that CUB is making a difference. Protecting Minnesotans from…
Published January 7, 2022 If you receive natural gas or electricity service from Xcel Energy, you’ll notice an interim rate increase on your next bill. Before the holidays, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the increases, beginning January 1, but at substantially lower amounts than Xcel initially requested. An interim rate hike is a…
