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Xcel’s Flex Pricing Pilot encourages shifting energy use to reduce peak demand
Published July 7, 2021 Xcel Energy began its Flex Pricing Pilot program in November 2020. Participants in the program are charged different electricity rates based on the time of day they use energy. The program is underway in areas around south Minneapolis and Eden Prairie until November 2022. Summer, when demand for electricity is greatest,…
CUB files to intervene in Minnesota Power’s Integrated Resource Plan
Published July 6, 2021 Minnesota Power, the electric utility serving much of northeastern Minnesota, filed its latest Integrated Resource Plan (“IRP”) in February 2021. CUB continues to participate in the review process and intends to file comments on the IRP this fall. An IRP is a roadmap that public utilities use to analyze and model…
Control moisture to keep your home comfortable and healthy this summer
Published July 6, 2021 Humidity plays a big part in the comfort and overall health of homes. High indoor humidity levels in the summer could potentially increase energy bills too. High humidity makes us feel warmer in the summer (and colder in the winter), causing us to cool (or heat) our homes more than we…
Xcel is no longer pursuing gas power plant, proposes more renewable power
Published June 28, 2021. Updated July 7, 2021 with information about comment process. On Friday, Xcel Energy announced that it was no longer pursuing its proposed natural gas power plant in Sherburne County (the “Sherco plant”). Xcel said it heard strong opposition to the plant (including from CUB) and took another look to find an…
A Good Year for Energy Policy at the Minnesota Legislature
Published June 23, 2021 Yesterday, the Minnesota Senate followed the House of Representatives and passed this year’s package of energy policy and spending legislation. House File 6 combines commerce and energy provisions. (Energy policy is in Article 8 starting on page 98, if you’re digging into the full bill, or you can read a summary…