July 15, 2021 Star Tribune Brooks Johnson DULUTH – Minnesota Power is poised to be the first utility in the state to fully switch to “time of day” electricity rates for residential customers, meaning power is more expensive during certain hours and discounted when it is more readily available. The move is prompted by an…
19Jul
Updated Minnesota conservation program aims to close ‘pre-weatherization’ gap
July 9, 2021 Energy News Network Frank Jossi Efficiency upgrades can be a financial boost for low-income homeowners, but asbestos, mold and other issues sometimes found in older homes can keep those improvements financially out of reach, even with incentives. A new Minnesota law aims to bridge that gap. The state’s existing Conservation Improvement Program…
05Jul
Control moisture to keep your home comfortable and healthy this summer
Published July 6, 2021 Humidity plays a big part in the comfort and overall health of homes. High indoor humidity levels in the summer could potentially increase energy bills too. High humidity makes us feel warmer in the summer (and colder in the winter), causing us to cool (or heat) our homes more than we…
07Jun
Welcome Daurius Mikroberts, CUB’s new outreach and communications intern
Published June 7, 2021 Daurius joined the Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota in June 2021 as the outreach and communications Intern. He will be responsible for assisting with the outreach and communications goals of CUB. Daurius is a student at Saint Paul College pursuing an associate’s degree in Biology. Prior to working with CUB, he…
03Jun
Welcome Brandon Crawford, CUB’s new summer legal intern
Published June 3, 2021 Brandon joined the Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota in June 2021 as a summer legal intern. He will be conducting legal research and writing to support CUB’s participation in Public Utilities Commission dockets and to help us better understand and share information on emerging energy-related legislation. Brandon is a third-year student at the…
28May
Minnesota’s new ECO Act will help ease the burdens of energy costs on low-income families, including many people of color
May 28, 2021 Sahan Journal Andrew Hazzard A rare bipartisan bill aims to help Minnesota lower emissions while offering significant savings for low-income families, including many people of color. Governor Tim Walz signed the Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) Act into law May 25. The bill modernizes the state’s Conservation Improvement Program, a long-term energy-…
20May
2021 MN Legislature: ECO Act passes thanks to hard work, collaboration
May 20, 2021 Center for Energy and Environment Mike Bull Minnesota’s regular legislative session ended on May 18 with the biggest clean energy win since 2013, strengthening our most successful energy policy in state history. After six years of hard work and deep bipartisan collaboration, the Energy Conservation and Optimization Act (known as “ECO”) was…
19May
Minnesota legislators agree on first major energy bill in years
May 18, 2021 Star Tribune Mike Hughlett The Minnesota House and Senate agreed this week on expanding the state’s energy conservation program, the most significant energy legislation in recent years. The Energy Conservation and Optimization Act should increase spending by utilities on conservation programs, particularly to low-income households. Gov. Tim Walz is expected to sign…
19May
Minnesota utilities fell $90M short in protecting customers from February storm costs, agency says
May 13, 2021 Star Tribune Mike Hughlett Steep bills for natural gas customers during a crippling winter storm in February could end with some changes in what’s allowed for Minnesota utilities if two state agencies have anything to say about it. The Minnesota Department of Commerce says consumers are being socked with $90 million in…
18May
Minnesota regulators do not approve CenterPoint’s proposed investment in advanced meters
Published May 18, 2021 I recently wrote a blog about CenterPoint Energy’s petition to begin installing smart meters at the homes and businesses of its Minnesota customers. Like any time a regulated utility asks to spend its customers’ money, this proposal required approval by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). CUB recommended that the Commission…