Published July 26, 2022 Otter Tail Power will soon offer an electricity bill discount to income-qualified customers after the company’s proposal was approved by the Public Utilities Commission last week. With this approval, all of Minnesota’s investor owned utilities will now offer affordability programs for customers with low incomes. Otter Tail’s program, called Uplift, will…
Published July 7, 2022 Minnesota Power has asked to increase electric rates by more than 18 percent: approximately $180 per year for the average household. How much the utility will ultimately be allowed to raise rates will be determined by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), which is now requesting public input. If you are…
June 19, 2022 Star Tribune Mike Hughlett Utility bills can be confusing. Here’s a breakdown of what all the lines on a typical bill mean and what your bill funds. The electricity-sucking summer air-conditioning season is upon us, just as energy costs are soaring. With that in mind, consumers might be scrutinizing their electricity bills….
Published March 9, 2022 Since the onset of COVID, major utilities across Minnesota have offered special protections against utility shut off. After April 30, 2022, the last of the special protections will end. For customers of CenterPoint Energy, Dakota Electric Association, Great Plains Natural Gas, Greater Minnesota Gas, Minnesota Energy Resources, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power, and Xcel Energy: A…
Published February 22, 2022 Most of us are feeling the effects of rising costs and are looking for ways to save money. CUB is here to share strategies to help you manage the energy piece of your household budget. Our money and energy saving tip for today: Rebates. If you aren’t familiar with rebates offered…
February 21, 2022 Minnesota Reformer Rilyn Eischens Bebe Brandt turned off the heat, piled on blankets and limited stove use to one day a week this winter in hopes of containing her ballooning heating bill. Still, it wasn’t enough. Brandt, a single mom of two in Minneapolis, said her past-due balance swelled to $400. Brandt’s…
Published February 7, 2022 As Minnesotans face the pressures of low temperatures and high natural gas bills this winter, significant support may be on the horizon. Efficiency upgrades to “weatherize” homes can help homeowners reduce their energy bills and, in turn, save money. With the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the federal…
February 3, 2022 Twin Cities Pioneer Press Deanna Weniger Minnesotans turned down the thermostat, wrapped themselves in electric blankets, put plastic over their windows and updated their furnaces to cut costs this winter, but in many cases saw no change on their heating bills. “I’ve been a homeowner for eight years. This is the highest…
Published January 25, 2022 CUB is excited to share that the Clean Energy Resource Teams have awarded 74 Seed Grants throughout the state. Seed Grants are awarded every two years and help community focused organizations initiate energy efficiency and clean energy projects. The projects selected are meant to be innovative and promote the benefits of…
Published January 25, 2022 For households that heat their home with electric heat, bills can be especially high, running in the hundreds of dollars each month. If you have electric heat as a primary heating source, we encourage you to contact your utility about winter electric heating rates and programs. Electric heat is often the…
