Published November 7, 2023 As days get colder and nights get longer, Minnesotans are reminded of another never-ending cycle: utilities across the state have yet again requested to increase rates. On November 1, 2023, CenterPoint and Xcel Energy filed petitions with the Public Utilities Commission seeking to raise rates for natural gas service and Minnesota…
Published October 27, 2023 On October 26, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) accepted a settlement agreement that limited rate increases for customers of Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation (MERC). Under the settlement, the company lowered its request to raise rates from approximately $32.7 million to $21.2 million, a more than $11.5 million reduction. As a result, the residential rate…
Published September 14, 2023 In two recent posts, we discussed the components of the electric grid and the important role that transmission plays in maintaining grid reliability and lowering energy costs. This background is essential to understanding why recently proposed projects will benefit the grid and utility customers. This post introduces the transmission system expansion…
Published August 31, 2023 In the first blog post of this series, The Energy Highway: How Electricity Reaches Your Home, we introduced the general components of the electric grid: generation, transmission, and distribution. Together, these systems form a network that produces electricity and transports it to your home and the businesses you frequent. This post…
Published August 17, 2023 Every time we use electricity, it seems like an instantaneous process – just flip a switch and the lights turn on. In reality, the electric grid is much more complicated. Before it can be used, electricity must be generated and carried over potentially thousands of miles of lines and wires before…
Published July 31, 2023 On Thursday, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) ordered utilities to maximize the benefits of the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in future planning and cost recovery proceedings. When the IRA was signed into law nearly a year ago, it became the most significant energy investment in U.S. history, providing nearly $400…
Published July 24, 2023 Xcel’s electric rate case is not the only reason the company’s customers will see their electric bills increase. Recently, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) heard a petition from Xcel to recover the costs associated with installing advanced meters. While these meters can provide customers with significant benefits, they are expensive. Cost…
Published July 18, 2023 Last week, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (the Commission) approved a proposal to automatically enroll CenterPoint Energy customers who receive Energy Assistance into a program that caps customer bills at an affordable payment each month. These changes will go into effect on January 1, 2024. Gas Affordability Programs (GAPs) offer income-eligible…
Published April 24, 2023 In 2015, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted a rule requiring public companies to disclose how chief executive officer (CEO) compensation compares to median employee income. When the SEC began requiring companies to publish CEO to employee pay ratios, it provided consumers with a way of being more informed about the businesses they…
Published April 6, 2023 On March 23, 2023, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission accepted a settlement that increased rates for Xcel Energy’s natural gas customers. The agreement was negotiated by the company, the Department of Commerce, the Office of the Attorney General, the Suburban Rate Authority, and a group of clean energy organizations (Fresh Energy…
