Have you heard the old tale about how big businesses pay too much for their utilities, and subsidize residential and small businesses utility rates? Well ya, Ole’s heard that one, too.
06May
Legislative update: What we’re watching in the final two weeks
The Minnesota House and Senate have passed their major energy packages, and negotiations are beginning on these and all areas of spending and policy. The legislature is set to adjourn on May 20, and, as usual, the majority of bills will be settled during the final weeks or days of session. Most energy provisions are…
25Mar
Bill would saddle Minnesotans with $467 million in large industry’s energy costs
Recently, the Senate took action to shift hundreds of millions of dollars in energy costs from the state’s largest industry onto regular people. On March 14, the Senate Energy Committee heard Senator David Senjem’s Clean Energy First Act (SF 1456). Clean Energy First was a carefully written bill that would require utilities to look first…
02Jan
The Public Utilities Commission? What is that?
Recently, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has been in the news a lot. Articles about the Commission (as the PUC is often referred) have graced local headlines across the state. The Commission’s recent decisions on the Enbridge pipeline, Minnesota Power’s proposal to construct a new generation facility, and Governor-elect Walz’s opportunity to appoint a new…
12Dec
Xcel customers: Get ready for a rate increase in the New Year
Back in the fall of 2017, we informed you about a multi-year rate increase approved for Xcel Energy electricity customers. The first, and largest, portion of rate increases went into effect on October 1, 2017, and now it’s time to get ready for another round. Effective January 1, 2019, Xcel customers will face an increase…
24Oct
Are you a community solar garden subscriber? Let us know
The Citizens Utility Board is continuously learning about energy consumers in Minnesota so we can assist them on energy matters to the best of our ability. With community solar programs becoming more popular, CUB staff would like to learn more about how people became involved with these programs and to better understand the customer experience….
06Jul
New Xcel Energy time-of-use rate pilot should benefit consumers
Xcel recently received approval to conduct a pilot program designed to reduce peak residential energy use through price incentives. The program has the potential to both save consumers money and reduce emissions from electricity generation. Why reduce peak energy use? On a typical weekday, many of us are away from our homes either at work…
27Mar
MN Power customers concerned about proposed gas plant, rates
Last fall, Minnesota Power announced their proposal to build a new $350 million natural gas plant in Superior Wisconsin. This power plant would add 250 MW of additional electricity generation capacity for Minnesota Power. At CUB, our mission is to advocate for affordable and reliable utility service and clean energy for residential and small business…
20Mar
Bill would grant blank check to Xcel for nuclear spending, profits
On March 27,* a bill will be heard that would effectively grant a blank check to Xcel Energy for spending on its two nuclear facilities, the Prairie Island and Monticello power plants — plus guaranteed profits for Xcel shareholders. The bill (HF 3708 / SF 3504) bypasses the cost controls and checks on spending that exist…
06Feb
Minnesota Power customers will see bills decrease, as regulators cut rate increase request
On Tuesday, the state Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved a rate increase for Minnesota Power electric customers. The increase was much smaller than the utility had requested, and is less than the interim rate increase already applied to customers’ bills, so most or all households will see a small refund when the new rates go…