Published December 1, 2020 Xcel Energy has proposed a program to forgive unpaid utility bills of Minnesota customers who are among the farthest past-due on their bills. The proposal, initially filed as a part of Xcel’s proposals for economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, would forgive 75 percent of the unpaid bills for customers who…
Published October 28, 2020 In May of this year, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) opened a new docket (the “Economic Recovery” docket) with the goal of better understanding how regulated utilities can “assist in Minnesota’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.” To that end, the PUC required all of Minnesota’s regulated gas and electric…
Published July 22, 2020 Last Thursday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) took steps to make electricity data available for research and analysis that can reduce waste, save consumers money, and cut emissions. We are pleased by this step and are confident that the ongoing effort the PUC has set up will provide critical data…
Published June 29, 2020 The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) recently gave Xcel Energy the go-ahead for significant investments to modernize its local electricity grid. On May 29, the PUC approved Xcel’s plan to install smart meters for customers as well as the related communications network, and invest in additional advanced technologies in their electricity…
Published June 23, 2020 Last Thursday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) adopted recommendations from CUB and partners to reconnect gas service to thousands of Minnesotans who are currently shut off and to strengthen consumers’ shutoff protections during COVID-19 and beyond. CUB has joined together with Energy CENTS Coalition, Minnesota Community Action Partnership, and Legal…
Published June 9, 2020 Last Thursday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) unanimously approved a resolution to Minnesota Power’s rate increase request that will result in immediate refunds for customers. The utility, which provides power to Duluth and parts of northeast, north-central, and central Minnesota, had originally requested a large rate increase, including a 15%…
Published April 23, 2020 Today, Minnesota Power filed a request to immediately reduce customer bills, to soon refund approximately $12 million to customers, and to withdraw its pending request for a rate increase. The coronavirus pandemic has drastically changed the circumstances surrounding Minnesota Power’s earlier rate increase request. In November, Minnesota Power filed a request…
Published April 7, 2020 Given the current COVID-19 state of emergency, the schedule for Minnesota Power’s rate increase request is being postponed for about a month. Late last year, Minnesota Power filed a request to increase customers’ rates, including a residential rate increase of 15 percent. Customers are currently paying an interim rate increase of…
Published March 30, 2020 Xcel Energy had planned to start a pilot program testing time-of-use rates for certain customers in Minneapolis and Eden Prairie on April 1. However, given the current situation, Xcel is postponing the pilot. The postponement means that all pilot participants will remain on their current electric pricing plan until further notice….
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….
