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Be energy smart this winter
For most Minnesota households, winter brings the highest energy bills of the year. The colder the weather, the higher our bills. For an average Minnesota home, over half of annual energy costs are for heating and cooling. As a result, adjusting your thermostat typically represents the biggest opportunity for saving energy throughout the year. Not…

MN Power customers likely to face $350 million in new costs for unneeded power plant
Yesterday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved Minnesota Power’s petition for a new Nemadji Trail gas power plant in a 3-2 decision. As we’ve followed on this blog, none of the parties who weighed in on this case before the PUC found a need for the electricity that this plant would generate. In contrast,…

Get your home ready for winter heating
Well, winter came early in some parts of the state. Most of us have probably already had our furnaces turned on for about a month now, so it’s definitely time make sure your furnace or boiler will be in good working order all winter long. Here are a few pointers to help ensure you are…

Are you a community solar garden subscriber? Let us know
The Citizens Utility Board is continuously learning about energy consumers in Minnesota so we can assist them on energy matters to the best of our ability. With community solar programs becoming more popular, CUB staff would like to learn more about how people became involved with these programs and to better understand the customer experience….

Xcel proposes pilots to expand electric vehicle charging in Twin Cities
While driving around town nowadays you may have noticed more and more electric vehicles (EVs) on the roads, and you are not alone. Xcel Energy has also taken notice and is now looking to expand its services to support the growth of the EV market. Xcel has proposed a pilot to build out charging infrastructure…