Published June 1, 2022 Earlier this year, CUB released a white paper outlining concerns we had about a merger involving CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the Texas-based parent company of Minnesota’s largest natural gas utility) and another Texas-based gas company, Energy Transfer. CenterPoint’s earnings reports have now revealed that, as a result of the merger, CenterPoint Energy,…
May 24, 2022 Star Tribune Mike Hughlett Minnesota natural gas utilities acted “prudently” during a historic February 2021 storm, so they should be allowed to fully pass on $660 million in extra gas costs to their customers, according to two administrative law judges. The judges’ conclusions, released Tuesday, rejected contentions from two state agencies that…
Published May 24, 2022 Austin joined the Citizens Utility Board in May 2022 as a legal intern. He will be conducting legal research and writing to support CUB’s participation in Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Dockets and in ongoing rate cases. Austin is a rising 3L at the University of St. Thomas School of Law where…
May 11, 2022 Inside Climate News Dan Gearino Electricity prices are rising in much of the country at the same time that climate change is contributing to extreme heat and a high chance of blackouts this summer. For consumers, the result is an increase in financial strain to pay for a product that often is…
April 19, 2022 Energy and Policy Institute Karlee Weinmann CenterPoint Energy paid its CEO a total of $37.8 million last year, far exceeding executive pay at peer companies while it sought massive rate hikes for customers already struggling to keep up with skyrocketing utility bills. A review of executive compensation at large U.S. utilities places David Lesar’s…
Published April 20, 2022 Please help CUB welcome the newest members of our board of directors. We are grateful to Tenzin, Dralandra, Buddy, and Dinah for their commitment and are very fortunate to have their leadership and experience as a part of CUB’s team. Tenzin Gakyi (she/her/hers) is a first-generation immigrant of Tibetan descent. She…
Star Tribune Mike Hughlett April 17, 2022 Legislation in both chambers would cushion the blow of huge natural gas price spikes, while the House has ambitious energy-spending plans for items such as weatherization. The Minnesota House and Senate are in rare agreement on a significant energy issue: cushioning the financial blow to Minnesota natural gas…
Published April 7, 2022 The Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota (CUB) is the independent advocate for Minnesota utility consumers. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit consumer advocate, CUB serves two primary functions. First, we represent the interests of Minnesota consumers to influence policy (including regulatory and legislative activities) affecting Minnesota’s public utilities. We advocate before the Minnesota Public…
March 29, 2022 WCCO Caroline Cummings ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – Minnesota lawmakers are mulling proposals aimed at providing relief to utility customers who are paying for surge charges incurred during a cold snap last February when a winter storm in Texas disrupted natural gas supplies. A proposal that passed out of a Senate committee Wednesday would create a…
Published March 23, 2022 Spring provides unique opportunities to save on your energy bills as the weather starts to change. Of course, spring in Minnesota is often unpredictable: one day you’ll have the heat on; the next day, the windows are open. Here are some tips to manage your energy use, bills, and comfort during…
