S&P Global, November 20, 2019 Maya Weber San Antonio — If all generation were dispatched economically in Midcontinent Independent System Operator, average wholesale power prices would rise 3%, but production costs would drop 11%, lowering consumer costs, according to a preliminary analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists presented Tuesday. The group, along with the Sierra…
18Nov
Climate column: Citizens’ Utility Board comes to Two Harbors
Virtually every utility today has goals to move to renewables Lake County News Chronicle, November 16, 2019 Katya Gordan This month’s Community Partners climate event focuses on energy. We may not consciously think about energy every day, but we live in heated homes and travel on some kind of paid energy. The costs of our…
18Nov
Minnesota’s days of cheaper electricity seem numbered
Utility rate increases are poised to push Minnesota past the national average. Star Tribune, November 16, 2019 Mike Hughlett Hefty rate hikes that Minnesota’s largest utilities are seeking could push the state’s electricity prices above the national average for the first time in years. Residential prices in Minnesota have been more expensive than for the…
11Nov
Citizens Utility Board recommends these tips for saving energy this winter
November 8, 2019 Mankato KEYC Holly Bernstein MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) — The Citizens Utility Board is recommending several tips for saving energy this winter. They recommend adjusting your thermostat to 68 degrees when you are awake and turning it down about 10 degrees while you are away or asleep. They also suggest opening the blinds…
04Nov
Minnesota Power proposes 10.5% rate increase
November 1, 2019 Minnesota Star Tribune Brooks Johnson The average residential bill would increase by $11. DULUTH – Minnesota Power is asking state regulators for a 10.5% rate increase that would raise the average residential bill by more than $11 a month and small business power bills by $30 a month. The Duluth-based utility told the…
04Nov
Xcel Energy seeks 3-year rate increase totaling 15.2%
November 1, 2019 Minnesota Star Tribune Mike Hughlett The utility’s proposal, which will be scrutinized by regulators, would cost its electricity customers an average of about $110 more per year by 2020. Xcel Energy wants Minnesotans to pay more for power. The utility’s rates would climb 15.2% over three years under a plan submitted to…
28Oct
Learning to Save Energy Early
Published October 28, 2019 Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes and 48 public and private universities. Every year thousands of students flock to college campuses to pursue a higher education. While campuses create an atmosphere of community and is an environment for students to build relationships, they’re also significant energy users. Like many large facilities, campuses…
18Oct
Xcel Energy working on Integrated Resource Plan
October 17, 2019 Mankato, Minnesota (KEYC) Holly Bernstein Xcel Energy is currently working on an Integrated Resource Plan, which determines how it will provide electricity to its customers for the next 15 years. For consumers, the plan maps out the source of their home electricity and how much energy comes from coal, gas, wind and solar power….
15Oct
Citizens Utility Board to host Mankato event about Xcel’s proposed Integrated Resource Plan
October 15, 2019 Mankato, Minnesota (KEYC) Jake Rinehart MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) — The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) will host a public session regarding Xcel Energy’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Room 005 at the School Sisters of Notre Dame, located at 170 Good Counsel Drive in Mankato, on Thursday, Oct. 17….
14Oct
Minnesota shuts down oil, manufacturing groups’ attempt to derail Xcel EV pilot
October 14, 2019 Utility Drive Catherine Morehouse Minnesota regulators on Monday stamped out manufacturing and petroleum groups’ attempt to reverse approval of Xcel Energy’s $25 million electric vehicle pilot program. The state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the program in July, and five large industrial groups, including oil groups Marathon Petroleum and Flint Hills Resources,…