Bill hike could be coming for Minnesota Power customers
March 10, 2017
Published March 10, 2017
Minnesota Power customers could soon be paying about 6.7% more on their electric bills under a proposal approved yesterday by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The money would be used to reduce electric costs for 11 industrial customers by 5%.
This industrial subsidy, and the associated charge for other customers, is possible under a law passed in 2015 for "energy-intensive, trade-exposed customers." It's intended to help the northern mining and forest industries lower their costs and consequently increase production, which would in turn result in increased electricity sales. The charge would show up as a separate line item on customer bills.
If the EITE discount results in increased production as intended, and Minnesota Power's sales increase as a result, the utility must refund those additional revenues back to the customers who bear the cost of the program.
If the discount doesn't result in increased production and increased electricity sales, it can be cancelled early, so that customers won't be charged for a subsidy that's not actually helping the local economy. CUB thinks it's unlikely that the EITE discount will be a major factor in industry production. In fact, taconite production is already expanding because of industry factors -- nothing to do with electric costs -- showing the EITE discount isn't even necessary.
You may be exempt
Low-income customers are exempt from this charge. If you are eligible for LIHEAP (energy assistance), make sure Minnesota Power knows, so that you are not charged if an when the program goes into place. You do not need to have received energy assistance to qualify -- only to be eligible based on your family income. If you qualify but you pay for the EITE charge in error, you may be able to get a refund.
Other rate changes coming
Minnesota Power has also asked for a general rate increase, which is under review at the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The company has dialed back their request from an 18% to a 15% increase on residential customers, because of the uptick in industrial production. The actual rate increase that's approved by the PUC will probably be something short of that amount.
Customers are already seeing an "interim" rate increase of 5.6% on their bills as a step in this process, and Minnesota Power has now requested to lower the interim rate increase to 5.07%. If the final approved rate increase ends up being less than the interim rate increase, customers would see a refund.
Here's a summary of recent, coming, and potential changes:
- January 1, 2017: Interim rate increase of 5.6%. This was paired with a discount in the "renewable resource charge," so that actual bill increase was less.
- EITE increase of about 6.7% could come soon.
- Possible decrease in interim rate increase from 5.6% to 5.07%.
- Final rate change, expected in early 2018.
- Possible EITE refund.