Blog
Air source heat pumps can provide efficient cooling and heating for many Minnesota homes
Published April 15, 2021 Over the last few years, CUB has fielded an increasing number of calls from consumers interested in learning more about air source heat pumps. This blog provides an overview of resources for those interested in learning more about this technology and whether it could be a good option for their homes….
Spring energy saving tips
Published April 12, 2021 It is officially spring in Minnesota and therefore a wide mix of weather is in the forecast. One day you’ll have the heat on; the next day, the windows are open. On really warm days, you might even consider turning on the air conditioner. Here are some tips to manage your…
PUC approves Xcel program to forgive bills of customers who owe at least $1,000
Published April 6, 2021 Back in December 2020, I wrote a blog about a program Xcel proposed to partially forgive unpaid utility bills of Minnesota customers who are among the farthest past-due on their bills. The “Payment Plan Credit Proposal” was one of several proposals Xcel made in the “Economic Recovery docket,” which the Public…
CUB recommends the Commission deny CenterPoint’s proposed investment in advanced meters
Published April 5, 2021 CenterPoint Energy has asked Minnesota regulators for permission to begin installing smart meters to serve its residential natural gas customers. However, CenterPoint provided very little justification for charging customers the hefty price of these advanced meters and has not demonstrated that the value to customers will be worth the expense. For…
Commission denies Minnesota Power petition to defer accounting of lost revenues
Published April 5, 2021 Back in January, I wrote a blog about Minnesota Power’s efforts to take a procedural step towards recovering revenue losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a nutshell, the Company sought the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) permission to calculate the amount of revenue it lost when two of its large industrial…