Published March 17, 2022 Laura joined the Citizens Utility Board in March 2022 as an Outreach Intern. She will be supporting outreach activities throughout the spring and summer and looks forward to connecting customers with energy resources. Laura is a first-year student in the University of Minnesota’s Master of Urban and Regional Planning program. Prior to…
Published March 10, 2022 Hello from the State Capitol, where CUB is working hard to represent consumers’ interests in energy-related discussions. The Legislature passed its two-year budget last year. There is no pressure of a government shutdown should the politically divided House, Senate, and Governor fail to come to agreements, which may make it less…
Published March 9, 2022 Since the onset of COVID, major utilities across Minnesota have offered special protections against utility shut off. After April 30, 2022, the last of the special protections will end. For customers of CenterPoint Energy, Dakota Electric Association, Great Plains Natural Gas, Greater Minnesota Gas, Minnesota Energy Resources, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power, and Xcel Energy: A…
Published March 1, 2022 A report (pdf) issued by CUB today raises questions about Texas-based CenterPoint Energy’s financial interest in another Texas company that made billions during the February 2021 Winter Storm Uri. The report comes while CenterPoint’s Minnesota-based subsidiary is attempting to pass on approximately $466 million in costs associated with last year’s storm…
Published February 22, 2022 Most of us are feeling the effects of rising costs and are looking for ways to save money. CUB is here to share strategies to help you manage the energy piece of your household budget. Our money and energy saving tip for today: Rebates. If you aren’t familiar with rebates offered…
Published February 9, 2022 Yesterday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) made its determination in Xcel Energy’s integrated resource plan (IRP), mapping Xcel’s future power generation. The plan will substantially reduce emissions while maintaining reliability. Under the plan, Xcel will close expensive fossil fuel generators, build out clean energy resources, help affected power plant workers…
Published February 7, 2022 As Minnesotans face the pressures of low temperatures and high natural gas bills this winter, significant support may be on the horizon. Efficiency upgrades to “weatherize” homes can help homeowners reduce their energy bills and, in turn, save money. With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the federal…
Published February 7, 2022 The Public Utilities Commission wants to hear from you. Minnesota’s natural gas utilities want ratepayers to cover the entire cost of last February’s natural gas price spike. CUB is currently party to a contested case proceeding where we are arguing that four of these utilities (CenterPoint, Xcel, MERC, and Great Plains)…
Published January 28, 2022 We previously wrote about CUB’s support for an Xcel workforce development pilot program. This blog post provides an update on this program, which the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) recently approved. In May of 2020, the PUC opened a docket (the “Economic Recovery” docket) with the goal of identifying possible utility investments that…
Published January 25, 2022 CUB is excited to share that the Clean Energy Resource Teams have awarded 74 Seed Grants throughout the state. Seed Grants are awarded every two years and help community focused organizations initiate energy efficiency and clean energy projects. The projects selected are meant to be innovative and promote the benefits of…
