Published October 20, 2016 The seasons are changing! Following these tips to prepare your home for winter can save you hundreds of dollars every year. Check for leaks: Inspect windows and door frames for cracks or signs of decay or drafts. Seal any leaks with caulk or weatherstripping, or use a temporary product like rope…
23Nov
CUB’s 2022 year in review
Published November 23, 2022 It’s been quite a year – and we have you, our supporters, to thank! I am so proud of what we have accomplished together in 2022. The CUB community is a scrappy group, often going up against some of the largest corporations in the state. Together, we are dedicated to affordability,…
27Oct
CUB continues to fight Xcel’s request to raise electric rates
Published October 27, 2022 Last year, Xcel Energy filed a request with state regulators to charge its Minnesota electric customers an additional $677 million over the coming years. In its filing, Xcel addresses several reasons why it seeks to raise rates. For example, Xcel notes that it will be incurring additional costs to build new…
29Sep
Fall offers opportunities for energy savings
Published September 29, 2022 There’s nothing quite like fall in Minnesota. The fall colors and cooler temperatures make it perfect for enjoying the weather outside and inside our homes. When it comes to energy use, early fall and late spring are typically our lowest energy use months because we don’t have to heat or cool…
19Jan
CUB legal filing: Utilities should cover the $220 million cost of their poor management during Feb. ‘21 natural gas price spike
Published January 19, 2021 CUB is recommending that three Minnesota gas utilities be required to cover $220 million in costs incurred during the storm of February 2021. Last February, Minnesota’s gas utilities spent over $600 million more than usual on gas supplies due to a brief but extreme spike in the price of natural gas…
07Jan
Xcel electricity and gas rates increased on January 1, with final rate hikes pending
Published January 7, 2022 If you receive natural gas or electricity service from Xcel Energy, you’ll notice an interim rate increase on your next bill. Before the holidays, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the increases, beginning January 1, but at substantially lower amounts than Xcel initially requested. An interim rate hike is a…
06Jan
Using space heaters efficiently and safely
Published January 6, 2022 We’re officially in the thick of the heating season, and with that comes the temptation to stay warm at any cost. The urge to use space heaters is strong, especially on those days below zero, but they can come with a heavy cost. Here are some tips to manage usage and…
10Nov
CenterPoint and Xcel each request gas rate hikes of over 6%, but also offer alternatives
Published November 10, 2021 As they say: when it rains, it pours. On top of already high natural gas prices — and in addition to rate hike filings by Minnesota Power and Xcel’s electricity business — the state’s two largest natural gas utilities have also requested to increase their base rates of providing service. In…
10Nov
Minnesota Power asks to raise rates by 18%
Published November 10, 2021 Minnesota Power, the company that provides power to Duluth and portions of northeast and north central Minnesota, is asking to charge customers an additional $108 million more each year. If approved, Minnesota Power says the request would mean a rate hike of 18.22%, or about $15 a month for a typical…
01Nov
Xcel asks to hike electric rates by $677 million per year
Published November 1, 2021 Xcel Energy is asking state regulators to charge its Minnesota electric customers an additional $677 million each year, increasing revenues by 21.2% over three years. Xcel’s rate increase request must be approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and utilities almost never get the full increase that they ask for….