If you follow this blog, you know that Xcel is in the midst of its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), the map of where Xcel will get its electricity from for the next 15 years. If you’re an Xcel customer, you care about clean energy, and/or you don’t want to be charged millions too much on…
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has unanimously denied Xcel’s request to purchase the Mankato Energy Center power plant. The PUC agreed with CUB that Xcel failed to show that spending $650 million was in the public interest and, crucially, that the utility was attempting to sidestep crucial regulatory processes in place to protect consumers from…
Since the beginning of this year, CUB has been monitoring the proposal by Xcel Energy to purchase a 720-megawatt gas power plant in Mankato: the Mankato Energy Center (MEC). For over seven months, parties like CUB, the Department of Commerce, the Office of the Attorney General, the City of Minneapolis, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance,…
Yesterday, clean energy and labor organizations joined with Xcel Energy to propose that Xcel close its remaining coal plants in Minnesota by 2030, more than triple its solar power capacity, increase wind power, and make a strong commitment to energy efficiency. In addition, Xcel would purchase the Mankato Energy Center gas power plant. CUB applauds…
Since last year, I’ve represented CUB on the Technical Committee for the Minnesota Solar Pathways initiative. The initiative, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, is a three-year project exploring strategies to meet Minnesota’s statutory goal of reaching 10 percent solar electricity by 2030. A Solar Potential Analysis, modeling potential costs of various renewable energy…
Yesterday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved Minnesota Power’s petition for a new Nemadji Trail gas power plant in a 3-2 decision. As we’ve followed on this blog, none of the parties who weighed in on this case before the PUC found a need for the electricity that this plant would generate. In contrast,…
Well, winter came early in some parts of the state. Most of us have probably already had our furnaces turned on for about a month now, so it’s definitely time make sure your furnace or boiler will be in good working order all winter long. Here are a few pointers to help ensure you are…
At a meeting in Duluth on October 18, the state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is expected to decide whether to grant Minnesota Power permission to construct a new gas power plant in Superior, Wisconsin, at a cost of approximately $350 million. It’s a public meeting; see details below on how to attend. Minnesota’s public utilities…
Last fall, Minnesota Power proposed to own half of a new 250 MW gas power plant in Superior, Wisconsin. Because the plant would cost Minnesota Power ratepayers approximately $350 million, it needs approval from the Public Utilities Commission to move forward. Experts have now submitted their initial testimony in the public review of the plant, and…
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…
