Minnesota Power recently proposed to build and own a new natural gas power plant. CUB will be watching closely as the proposal goes through regulatory review to make sure that this investment would be a good deal for consumers. Minnesota’s public utilities are monopoly companies whose investors earn a rate of return on projects like…
11Jun
Minnesota Power asking to increase average residential bill $225 each year
Minnesota Power customers could be paying an average of $225 more than last year for their electric service. Customers who use more electricity than average, including people with electric heat, would see higher increases. Customers that use the least energy, many of whom are seniors and lower-income families, would have the highest proportional rate increase….
03May
Make your voice heard on proposed Minnesota Power rate increase
Published May 3, 2017 If you follow this blog, you know that Minnesota Power has proposed two rate increases for its electric customers. Here’s an update. Warning: This blog is going to get long. It will cover: Summary of potential rate increases You may be exempt from the EITE rate increase Tell the PUC what…
10Mar
Bill hike could be coming for Minnesota Power customers
Published March 10, 2017 Minnesota Power customers could soon be paying about 6.7% more on their electric bills under a proposal approved yesterday by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The money would be used to reduce electric costs for 11 industrial customers by 5%. This industrial subsidy, and the associated charge for other customers, is possible under a law passed…
15Dec
Minnesota Power rates will increase January 1
Published December 15, 2016 Minnesota Power customers should expect to see an increase in their electric rates starting the first of the year. This reflects an “interim” increase of 5.6% approved by the Public Utilities Commission today, the first step in Minnesota Power’s request for a larger “general” rate increase. As we’ve talked about on this blog, Minnesota…
09Dec
Minnesota Power proposes 28% rate hike
Published December 9, 2016 Minnesota Power, which serves many people in northeastern and central Minnesota, is requesting rate increases that would result in an average 28% hike for its residential customers. The utility has two requests before the state regulatory body, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). On November 2, it requested a general rate increase, proposing…
19Nov
Other view: ‘Wind is significantly cheaper’
November 19, 2016 / Duluth News Tribune “Wind is on the list (of factors driving Minnesota Power’s request to raise rates). But it’s not the biggest factor of the five factors that they have on that list. I would say driving their need for investment (is the utility’s) need (for) more generation, period. The comparison…
06Oct
Letter: A “Greatest Generation” member speaks up
October 6, 2016 / International Falls Journal / To the editor, I am (International Falls) Councilor (Cynthia) Jaksa’s mother and a Roosevelt Democrat and a member of the “Greatest Generation.” The first great Depression was caused by the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few and right now that condition exists today because…
16Sep
Minnesota Power wins approval to cut industrial rates by 5%
Published September 16, 2016 Yesterday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission permitted Minnesota Power to offer 11 of its industrial customers a break of about 5% off their electric rates. In a 3-2 decision, Commissioners agreed with the utility and the state Department of Commerce that the break would have a net benefit to the utility….
16Sep
New Minnesota consumer advocacy group takes on utility rate plan
September 15, 2016 / Midwest Energy News / A new advocacy group has begun working on behalf of Minnesota ratepayers to hold down utility charges while also promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota will appear before the state Public Utilities Commission today making arguments on behalf of the CUB…