Published January 4, 2017 We’re in the midst of a cold Minnesota winter and your furnace or boiler has been getting a lot of use. You probably haven’t been thinking about turning on a fan. However, all of you out there with a ceiling fan- turn it on. But, make sure its going the right…
27Dec
Plan Ahead – Get LED Holiday Lights for Next Year Now
Published December 27, 2016 Many people love shopping after the holidays and picking up seasonal bargains. If you like decorating your home with holiday lights, think about adding discounted LED holiday lights to your shopping list. LED lights use less energy than traditional light bulbs so you will use less electricity, which is good for your budget…
15Dec
Minnesota Power rates will increase January 1
Published December 15, 2016 Minnesota Power customers should expect to see an increase in their electric rates starting the first of the year. This reflects an “interim” increase of 5.6% approved by the Public Utilities Commission today, the first step in Minnesota Power’s request for a larger “general” rate increase. As we’ve talked about on this blog, Minnesota…
09Dec
Minnesota Power proposes 28% rate hike
Published December 9, 2016 Minnesota Power, which serves many people in northeastern and central Minnesota, is requesting rate increases that would result in an average 28% hike for its residential customers. The utility has two requests before the state regulatory body, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). On November 2, it requested a general rate increase, proposing…
22Nov
CUB hires Outreach Director
Published November 22, 2016 Please join me in welcoming Carmen Carruthers to the CUB team! Carmen is CUB’s new outreach director. She’ll soon be visiting communities around Minnesota, holding bill clinics and workshops and providing one-on-one counseling to anyone with questions about their utilities. Most recently, Carmen worked as a financial associate for Thrivent Financial. She…
01Nov
FCC passes rules to protect online privacy
Published November 1, 2016 Last Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission made a landmark decision in favor of consumers’ right to privacy online. The ruling limits how internet providers use and sell customer data and asserts that the data belongs to the customers to control. The Washington Post reported: “The FCC just passed sweeping new rules to…
27Oct
Department of Commerce, BBB warn of salespeople pitching energy savings from radiant barriers
Published October 27, 2016 If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That’s the message from the Minnesota Department of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota. They’re warning consumers of people attempting to sell radiant barrier products as an energy-saving feature in home attics. Salespeople have been reported…
20Oct
Get your home ready for winter
Published October 20, 2016 The seasons are changing! Following these tips to prepare your home for winter can save you hundreds of dollars every year. Check for leaks: Inspect windows and door frames for cracks or signs of decay or drafts. Seal any leaks with caulk or weatherstripping, or use a temporary product like rope…
18Oct
Public hearings being held on Rochester-area pipeline proposal
Published October 18, 2016 On November 9, let state regulators know what you think of a plan to build a new natural gas pipeline to supply the Rochester area. The state Public Utilities Commission will hold public hearings on the proposed new pipeline. The hearings are your chance to tell regulators what you think. Any…
17Oct
This winter’s heating fuel outlook: Higher prices than last year, but near or below average
Published October 17, 2016 The cost of heating a home in the Midwest this winter is projected to be as much as 38% higher than last year, but bills are still expected to be near or below the 7-year average. The US Energy Information Administration has released its Winter Fuels Outlook, which projects the per-unit…