In the News
Utility efficiency programs offer model to merge climate, racial justice solutions
July 2, 2020 Energy News Network Kari Lydersen Many states require utilities to help low-income customers conserve energy despite higher costs and barriers. As urgency grows to simultaneously address climate change and racial justice through proposals like the Green New Deal, low-income energy efficiency programs provide a potential example of how to merge the priorities. …
Inside Clean Energy: Here Are the States Where You Save the Most on Fuel by Choosing an EV
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…
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…
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…
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…