Make your voice heard: Cleaner, cheaper electricity for Xcel customers

October 3, 2019

Published October 3, 2019 If you follow this blog, you know that Xcel is in the midst of its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), the map of where Xcel will get its electricity from for the next 15 years. If you’re an Xcel customer, you care about clean energy, and/or you don’t want to be charged millions too much on expensive power plants, then read on. This blog will cover:

The Integrated Resource Plan process

Xcel’s IRP includes plans for closing coal plants, building new natural gas generation, the future of nuclear, as well as energy efficiency, demand response, and other consumer options. Xcel submitted its proposed IRP to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in July. Like all PUC proceedings, the IRP is a public process. Any group may intervene, putting evidence on the record to support Xcel’s proposed plan or to suggest changes. CUB is one of many parties who will intervene, along with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, environmental and clean energy advocates, Xcel’s large industrial customers, and others. Intervenors will file formal comments laying out their positions, and then reply comments to respond to each other’s filings. (Initial comments are currently due Nov. 8, but that date will need to be pushed back; the PUC has ordered Xcel to file updates after their proposal to purchase the Mankato Energy Center was denied. Any member of the public may comment, too (see below). Finally, the PUC will issue an order setting Xcel’s resource plan, based on all of the evidence before them.

Opportunities for public comment

The PUC is accepting comments in writing and in person. This notice has all of the details about comment options as well as what happens with comments that are submitted. You can make your voice heard through multiple channels, including: In writing by a date TBA. (We will update this blog when the PUC has announced the new deadline. It won’t be before January 8.)

By email: To consumer.puc@state.mn.us
By mail: To Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place East, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55101-2147

In written comments, make sure to reference Docket No. 19-368, and please note that, if you include personally identifying information in your comments, that will become public. In person: The PUC has set public meeting dates for October. Like written comments, oral comments made at the meeting will be a part of the official record. Anyone may attend these meetings and speak if they wish. The meetings will be held: Monday, October 21, 2019 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sabathani Community Center, Target Banquet Center 310 East 38th Street Minneapolis, MN 55409 Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at 7 p.m. St. Cloud Holiday Inn & Suites, Heritage Room 75 37th Avenue South St. Cloud, MN 56301 Monday, October 28, 2019, at 7 p.m. Dayton’s Bluff Recreation Center, Auditorium 800 Conway Street St. Paul, MN 55106 Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at 7 p.m. Mankato Civic Center, Reception Hall 1 Civic Center Plaza Mankato, MN 56001

The Consumers Resource Plan

CUB is developing the Consumers Resource Plan: an alternative plan that will save customers millions of dollars while reducing emissions faster than Xcel’s proposed IRP. Our team – including Vibrant Clean Energy, GridLab, and Keyes & Fox – is modeling options now. Stay tuned for more information!

Join CUB on October 15 or 17 for more information

At two upcoming events, I will explain the IRP process, Xcel’s proposed plan, the cheaper and cleaner Consumers Resource Plan, and help you prepare for the public hearings at two public events in St. Paul and Mankato. (Please contact me if you’re interested in a similar event.) CUB’s events: Tuesday, October 15, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Wilder Foundation, St. Paul Details and registration Thursday, October 17, 6:00-7:30 Good Counsel, Mankato Details and registration I hope to see you there!