Updated September 29, 2022 (Additional public hearings added); Published August 17, 2022
Last year, Xcel Energy filed a request to increase electric rates by more than 20 percent. If you are an Xcel customer, you are already seeing a 6.4 percent interim rate increase on your bills, which is in effect as the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) determines what the final rate will be. (This blog covers more information on Xcel Energy’s full request.)
If you are concerned about how Xcel Energy’s proposed rate increase will affect you and your family, let the PUC know. Your voice matters and public comments can and do make a difference. Below is more information on how you can submit public comments.
Public Comment Opportunity
Any member of the public can comment on the proposed rate hike.
- In writing: To consumer.puc@state.mn.us or the MN Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place East, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55101. Reference Docket No. 21-630, and note that everything in your comment will become part of the public record.
- At a public hearing: In person or virtually on the following dates.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, October 4, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. | Brookview Golden Valley Bassett Creek North Room 316 Brookview Pkwy S Golden Valley, MN |
| Tuesday, October 4, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. | Woodbury Central Park Valley Creek Room A 8595 Central Park Place Woodbury, MN |
| Wednesday, October 5, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. | Red Wing Ignite 419 Bush Street Red Wing, MN |
| Thursday, October 6, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. | Courtyard by Marriott 404 W St. Germain Street St Cloud, MN |
| Thursday, October 20, 2022 | 5:30 p.m. | Saint Paul Rondo Community Library, Rondo Multipurpose Room, 461 Dale Street North |
| Friday, October 21, 2022 | 2:30 p.m. | Minneapolis Central Library, Doty Board Room, 300 Nicollet Mall |
| Thursday, November 3, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. | Courtyard by Marriott 901 Raintree Road Mankato, MN |
- Virtual Hearings
- Monday, October 31, 2022, at 1:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
Full details, including links for the virtual hearings, can be found here (pdf).
Next steps
CUB is intervening in the rate case, and we’re pushing back on Xcel Energy’s unreasonably high rate hike request.
This fall, CUB (along with other parties intervening in the rate case) will file expert witness testimony challenging aspects of Xcel’s rate increase proposal. Parties will then participate in an evidentiary hearing and prepare legal briefs during the winter of 2022-2023. An administrative law judge will review these filings and make a recommendation to the PUC in March 2023. The PUC will then make the final decision on what Xcel’s final rate increase will be. We expect the PUC’s decision will come in June 2023.
I believe that the extra electricity used by all the electric cars should absorb this increase, just as we with gas cars need to
absorb the increase gas prices. We are paying this increase fee directly for them using all this added power. I think this should be taken into account with them paying an added electoral tax just like we pay an added gas tax.
I so agree that electric cars should pay their own way. It seems as though we are constantly trying to keep Xcel from running rampant with our money. I understand prices are up but we have to use money saving measures on a daily basis. Xcel just raises their prices. When was the last time your upper 10% of compensated employees heard the word NO? Why do we have to pay for your inefficiency by eating less, not visiting friends and relatives and buying only bare necessities? We are at a breaking point in the average American home especially among the over 60 age group. We cannot bear your inefficient management anymore.
Why are we being charged more? What is the price hike for? I see no reason for it and why it was needed, I agree with the electric tax on EV vehicles just like gas vehicles. We the people shouldn’t have to absorb the cost if people want to drive an EV car that’s their choice but don’t make me pay for that! They can pay taxes just like the rest of us. Also coal is clean we are the lowest carbon emissions in over 600 years and this is with out EV cars! In fact EV cars pollute more to make than gas cars and there are not sustainable materials. EV is very misleading as it is just relocating pollution…. It’s not any cleaner than gas…
I sure think Xcel should absorb the cost. They are just so greedy.
Here is what I will send to the PUC tomorrow.
Dear PUC,
Thank you for taking my public comment on Xcel Energy’s requested rate hike. For the past two years, Xcel’s profits have increased with an anticipated increase in the 2023. Xcel’s CEO and other executives make well over 6 figures. Yet, Xcel wants a rate increase for its $300 million expense to provide infrastructure for electric charging stations in Minnesota. While I strongly support improved infrastructure for charging electric vehicles, I also strongly oppose Xcel Energy using rate payer money to finance what will become in practice a virtual monopoly on charging stations. This would force me and most Minnesota families to finance the construction and cost of EV charger operations. It also gives Xcel Energy a higher profit. Neither of these scenarios should be approved by the Public Utilities Commission. It’s easy for Xcel to use other people’s money (MINE) to pay for what they can surely afford to do without any additional rate increase.
By 2030, Minnesota hopes 20 percent of all light-duty vehicles will be electric. Xcel will hold us hostage because they will own and operate a majority of the EV Charging stations. No private enterprise will want to step in and offer alternatives. Once those stations come online, whoever is operating them will begin to reap the benefits. This will enable Xcel to reap the benefits of its newly developed infrastructure, after having received financing for any expenses to build those systems.
Please, do not support this request. Xcel will do fine using its current resources. Perhaps a closer look at how they reimburse their top executives will give a better picture of where their money goes. Making a profit is fine for companies, but not on the backs of its customers.