As I discussed in a blog this fall, CenterPoint Energy has requested to increase its rates for natural gas. Now, state regulators are asking for comments from CenterPoint customers. The rate increase request CenterPoint needs permission from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in order to increase bills. The PUC must determine that any proposed…
Did anyone notice a change in their electric bills this month? If you’re an Xcel customer, your bill will look different. As of October 1, 2017, Xcel customers have new electric rates. Xcel estimates an average 8.0% increase for an average residential customer for this initial rate increase. Here is a quick summary of…
October 1 marks the start of a multi-year electric rate increase for Xcel Energy electric customers. While it is pretty straight-forward to understand that your bills are about to increase, the details behind utility rate increases can be confusing. That’s one reason CUB exists – to help consumers understand their energy bills and provide ideas…
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…
Published September 19, 2017 CenterPoint Energy customers will see an increase of 5.4% on their natural gas rates starting next month. This reflects an “interim” rate increase approved by the Public Utilities Commission earlier this month. CenterPoint has requested permission to increase its rates on a permanent basis by an average of 6.4%, or $56.5…
Published August 9, 2017 Last week, CenterPoint Energy asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for permission to increase the rates it charges customers for natural gas utility service. CenterPoint provides natural gas service in much of the Twin Cities metropolitan area and communities in central and southern Minnesota and as far north as Brainerd….
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….
Published May 12, 2017 Yesterday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a plan under which Xcel residential electricity rates will increase by 10.6 percent over four years. Customers are already paying much of the increase, in a 5.5 percent interim rate increase that went into place in 2016. This is the first multi-year rate plan…
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…
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…
