Published May 18, 2021 I recently wrote a blog about CenterPoint Energy’s petition to begin installing smart meters at the homes and businesses of its Minnesota customers. Like any time a regulated utility asks to spend its customers’ money, this proposal required approval by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). CUB recommended that the Commission…
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…
March 17, 2021 Star Tribune Mike Hughlett CenterPoint Energy is proposing to spread the cost of a colossal natural gas price spike — $354 per household on average — over two years to help cushion the blow to Minnesota consumers and the company itself. The deep freeze that paralyzed Texas last month ignited U.S. wholesale…
Published September 4, 2020 In a June 5, 2020 blog post, CUB raised the following question: Could financing through your utility bill help people make home energy efficiency improvements? We have continued to think about this question when reviewing a $50 million pilot program proposed by the City of Minneapolis to offer a tariffed on-bill…
Published December 17, 2019 CenterPoint Energy’s natural gas rates will increase by 5.8% beginning on January 1, 2020. This reflects an interim rate increase approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) earlier this month. CenterPoint has requested permission to increase its rates on a permanent basis by an average of 6.8% across all customer types….
Published December 2, 2019 In late October, CenterPoint Energy submitted an application to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for the authority to increase rates for its natural gas customers. CenterPoint Energy has indicated the rate increase is needed to help cover infrastructure-related expenses including maintenance and pipeline relocation due to local public works and road…
As I discussed in a blog this fall, CenterPoint Energy has requested to increase its rates for natural gas. Now, state regulators are asking for comments from CenterPoint customers. The rate increase request CenterPoint needs permission from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in order to increase bills. The PUC must determine that any proposed…
CenterPoint Energy customers will see an increase of 5.4% on their natural gas rates starting next month. This reflects an “interim” rate increase approved by the Public Utilities Commission earlier this month. CenterPoint has requested permission to increase its rates on a permanent basis by an average of 6.4%, or $56.5 million per year. It…
Last week, CenterPoint Energy asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for permission to increase the rates it charges customers for natural gas utility service. CenterPoint provides natural gas service in much of the Twin Cities metropolitan area and communities in central and southern Minnesota and as far north as Brainerd. CenterPoint has asked for…
