June 25, 2020 Inside Climate News Dan Gearino The promise of saving money could be an essential part of nudging the public to begin driving all-electric cars and trucks. But it’s not easy to figure out the differences in costs between an EV and a model that runs on gasoline. The calculation needs to include…
18Jun
Xcel proposes $3B in renewable projects to bolster economy dogged by pandemic
June 17, 2020 Star Tribune Mike Hughlett and Brooks Johnson Xcel Energy to tackle $3B worth of projects earlier than planned; Minnesota Power will spend $40M on new solar arrays. Xcel Energy would accelerate nearly $3 billion in spending, particularly on large renewable-energy projects, in response to calls from state utility regulators to jolt Minnesota’s…
14May
Minnesota lawmakers poised to pass updated energy conservation law
May 14, 2020 Energy News Network Frank Jossi A bipartisan bill in Minnesota would reward utilities for encouraging customers to switch to less carbon-intensive fuels for heating, cooling and transportation. The Energy Conservation and Optimization Act updates the state’s Conservation Improvement Program, which state officials say has provided $6 billion in benefits and created 46,000 jobs. The…
11May
Minnesota’s public utilities say pandemic could hit their bottom line
May 9, 2020 Twin Cities Pioneer Press Matthew Guerry Residential customers are having trouble paying their bills. Commercial clients are using less power as offices and other workplaces remain on lockdown. And depending on how severely those factors affect the financial health of Minnesota utility companies, rates might just end up increasing. Major utilities have…
06May
Minnesota utilities bracing for COVID-19 impact
May 6, 2020 Star Tribune Brooks Johnson A group of large utilities is asking state regulators to track pandemic expenses for potential recovery later. Minnesota utilities are bracing for a stack of unpaid bills and increased costs as the pandemic continues to upend the economy. As jobs are lost, late notices are expected to grow,…
27Apr
Minnesota Power seeks to lower rate hike, refund $12 million to customers
April 23, 2020 Duluth News Tribune Jimmy Lovrien If approved by regulators, Minnesota Power’s Jan. 1, 2020, rate increase will decrease from 5.8% to 4.1%, and the difference will be refunded to customers. Minnesota Power is aiming to lower its proposed rate hike and refund the difference to customers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Duluth-based…
15Apr
Behind on utility bills due to coronavirus? Contact provider to ensure service continues
April 13, 2020 Twin Cities Pioneer Press Dane Mizutani While most electricity and gas providers are extending additional protections during the COVID-19 crisis, Minnesotans that are behind on utility bills are still being encouraged to contact their provider to ensure service continues. This advice comes the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), a nonprofit advocate for utility…
14Apr
Utility Providers Including Minnesota Power Suspend Disconnections, Late Fees
April 13, 2020 Fox 21 Local News Duluth Arman Rahman Citizens Utility Board and Minnesota Power Urge Customers to Call to arrange payment plan. DULUTH, Minn.- People struggling to keep up with heat, water, or electric bills due to the Coronavirus pandemic may find some relief from many utility providers. The Citizens Utility Board, a…
13Mar
Minnesota clean energy legislation has one more obstacle this year with coronavirus
March 13, 2020 Star Tribune Mike Hughlett The Republicans and DFL plans are far apart, but there is more of a desire to reach an agreement this year. Minnesota lawmakers are once again jockeying to craft new clean energy legislation. And while they seem to be trying harder to reach an agreement this year, it’s…
03Feb
As Xcel moves toward coal-free, will natural gas remain part of energy mix?
January 31, 2020 MPRnews Kirsti Marohn When Xcel Energy announced last year that it plans to stop burning coal in Minnesota by 2030, environmental groups applauded the company’s effort to curb greenhouse gas emissions linked to climate change. But one part of Xcel’s plan is being met with less enthusiasm: It’s proposing to replace a coal-fired power…