CUB is seeking a motivated intern to support our work this summer. The intern will work with Carmen Carruthers, CUB’s outreach director, to carry out events, develop informational materials for consumers, and create marketing materials to promote CUB’s mission and services. It’s a great opportunity for someone interested in gaining experience in the fields of…
Working at Citizens Utility Board (CUB) as the outreach intern has given me the knowledge and tools to lower my utility bills. I am excited to share my tools and tricks, but let me first highlight the journey. Prior to CUB, my two roommates and I were paying an average of $130-$135 a month for…
We’re just about at the halfway point of the 2018 legislative session, and CUB has been busy at the Capitol. Here’s an update on some of the issues that could affect energy consumers this year. Xcel nuclear plant spending A bill carried by Representative O’Neill and Senator Mathews would allow Xcel to more easily…
Last fall, Minnesota Power announced their proposal to build a new $350 million natural gas plant in Superior Wisconsin. This power plant would add 250 MW of additional electricity generation capacity for Minnesota Power. At CUB, our mission is to advocate for affordable and reliable utility service and clean energy for residential and small business…
Sammi Cook-Kuehn, a real estate agent focused on energy efficient properties, is always looking to learn more and promote sustainable and environmentally friendly living. That’s what brought Sammi to a CUB energy consultation with our outreach director, Carmen Carruthers, in January. It turned into a great opportunity for us to share information on home energy…
Spring is finally here and for many people that means spring cleaning. Clean up more than your home this spring, clean up your energy bills as well. Energy audits are a great way to uncover opportunities to save energy and money. CUB posted a blog about the benefits of energy audits last summer. We’re writing about…
It is officially spring, but spring is a tricky business in Minnesota. Sometimes we get a few months of spring, sometimes a few weeks. We’ve come up with a list of spring energy saving tips for you to implement as appropriate. Due to the ever-changing temperatures, we are also including links to our winter and…
On March 27,* a bill will be heard that would effectively grant a blank check to Xcel Energy for spending on its two nuclear facilities, the Prairie Island and Monticello power plants — plus guaranteed profits for Xcel shareholders. The bill (HF 3708 / SF 3504) bypasses the cost controls and checks on spending that exist…
As readers of this blog know, last year, I represented CUB on a state task force to identify consumer protections that would be needed to allow Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing for Minnesota homeowners. PACE allows property owners to make energy improvements by taking out loans that they then repay through their property taxes….
Please help us welcome CUB’s newest board members! We are grateful to Beverly and Thom for their commitment and very excited to have their leadership and experience as a part of CUB’s team. Beverly Jones Heydinger served as Chair of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, appointed by Governor Mark Dayton, from July 2012 to January…
