Extra-high natural gas prices plus ongoing effects of last winter’s extraordinary price spike could combine for an expensive winter Published October 18, 2021 St. Paul, MN – The Citizens Utility Board is warning Minnesotans that it could be an expensive heating season. Natural gas prices have risen dramatically nationwide. The monthly average price is roughly as high as it’s been…
18Oct
Prepare for higher heating costs this winter
Published on October 18, 2021 It could be an expensive heating season. Natural gas prices have risen dramatically nationwide. The monthly average price is roughly as high as it’s been at any point over the last seven years. The prices of propane and fuel oil are also surging, and Minnesotans should anticipate feeling it in…
06Oct
Resources to help pay utility bills
Published October 6, 2021 Energy is essential, and we know all too well that energy bills can be a burden on your household. We don’t want you to be in the position where you need to choose between electricity and other essentials. If you or someone you know is struggling with energy bills there are…
17Aug
All utilities able to resume shutoffs
Published August 17, 2021 During the earlier stages of the pandemic, some utilities were prohibited from disconnecting consumers. As of August 2, all of Minnesota’s utilities are allowed to resume disconnections for past-due bills. If you are behind on your bills, here’s what you need to know. Call your utility and ask to arrange a…
20May
2021 MN Legislature: ECO Act passes thanks to hard work, collaboration
May 20, 2021 Center for Energy and Environment Mike Bull Minnesota’s regular legislative session ended on May 18 with the biggest clean energy win since 2013, strengthening our most successful energy policy in state history. After six years of hard work and deep bipartisan collaboration, the Energy Conservation and Optimization Act (known as “ECO”) was…
19May
Minnesota utilities fell $90M short in protecting customers from February storm costs, agency says
May 13, 2021 Star Tribune Mike Hughlett Steep bills for natural gas customers during a crippling winter storm in February could end with some changes in what’s allowed for Minnesota utilities if two state agencies have anything to say about it. The Minnesota Department of Commerce says consumers are being socked with $90 million in…
23Apr
Minnesota gasps at the financial damage it faces from the Texas freeze
April 22, 2021 The Washington Post Will Englund When that big freeze hit Texas in February, the Lone Star State couldn’t help but share its pain. With its ill-equipped natural gas systems clocked by the cold, Texas’s exports across the Rio Grande froze up and 4.7million customers in northern Mexico went without electricity — more…
22Apr
More Minnesotans eligible for Energy Assistance, application deadline extended
Published April 22, 2021 More Minnesota households are now eligible for Energy Assistance and have more time to apply for these important benefits. The household income eligibility guidelines have increased from 50% of the state median income to 60% of the state median income. This applies either to a household’s annual income or the three…
21Apr
Major Minnesota electric and gas utilities will resume shutoffs August 2
Published April 21, 2021 Last Thursday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) adopted a transition plan to allow the state’s regulated utilities to resume service disconnections of residential customers. These utilities had been prohibited from disconnecting residential customers for nonpayment since the spring of 2020. The PUC approved a plan that will allow shutoffs to…
06Apr
PUC approves Xcel program to forgive bills of customers who owe at least $1,000
Published April 6, 2021 Back in December 2020, I wrote a blog about a program Xcel proposed to partially forgive unpaid utility bills of Minnesota customers who are among the farthest past-due on their bills. The “Payment Plan Credit Proposal” was one of several proposals Xcel made in the “Economic Recovery docket,” which the Public…