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September 2022 Newsletter
Lifeline Awareness Week is September 12-16
Lifeline is a federally funded program that provides eligible recipient households a monthly discount on a communications service including local telephone, mobile phone service, or broadband service. In Minnesota more than 64,000 residents stay connected thanks to voice and broadband assistance programs. However, nearly 470,000 Minnesotans are eligible.
The purpose of Lifeline Awareness Week is to ensure that eligible low-income families and other eligible individuals are aware of the Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity programs and each program’s eligibility criteria, non-duplication rules, annual recertification requirements, as well as to encourage enrollment. For more information visit www.lifelinesupport.org.
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Commission Calendar and Upcoming Events
Calendar subject to change. For updated information visit PUC calendar.
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Time
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Event
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Sept. 1
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10 am
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Agenda Meeting: Xcel 2022 Renewable Energy Standard Rider Revenue Requirements; IDP’s for Xcel, Minnesota Power, Dakota Electric and Otter Tail (summaries will be included in next month's newsletter)
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Sept. 8
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10 am
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Agenda Meeting: Discontinuance of service to revoked carriers, Xcel Renewable Connect Rider, NGIA Frameworks – Strategic Electrification and Energy Efficiency, Dakota Electric petition for cogen, Minnesota Power EV charging infrastructure extension, Xcel load flexibility pilot programs, SMMPA IRP
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Sept. 15
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TBD
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Agenda Meeting: Great Plains CIP rider and incentive, CenterPoint CIP rider and incentive, Minnesota Power CARE program modifications, Xcel Sherco Operation and Construction of Solar
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Sept. 16
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10 am |
Distributed Generation Advisory Group
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Sept. 19
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6:30 pm
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Public Hearing: Xcel Natural Gas Rate Case - St. Cloud
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Sept. 19-20
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2 pm, 6 pm
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Public Hearing: Duluth Loop T-Line
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Sept. 20
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1:30 pm, 6:30 pm
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Public Hearing: Virtual Xcel Natural Gas Rate Case
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Public Hearing: Xcel Natural Gas Rate Case - Woodbury
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Agenda Meeting: Transportation Elect. Plan/IDP filing requirements, Line 3 Decommissioning Trust
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Sept. 29
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10 am
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Agenda Meeting: Dakota Electric Association reconnection, Xcel General Service TOU Pilot, Citizens/Frontier Convenience Fee, Commission jurisdiction over ETCs, Northern Wind Site Permit Partial Transfer
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Notable Commission Decisions or Actions
Filings can be accessed using the docket number at: MN PUC eFiling Search
Aug 11, 2022 Decisions
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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proposed rulemaking on building for the future through electric regional transmission planning and cost allocation and generator interconnection (FERC Docket No. RM21-17-000) The Commission supported the Organization of MISO States’ comments on FERC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on long-range transmission planning and decided to file additional separate comments jointly with the Department of Commerce.
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Approval of a Recovery process for cost impacts due to February extreme gas market conditions for CenterPoint, Great Plains, MERC, Xcel and all natural gas utilities (21-135, 21-235, 21-610, 21-611) The Commission disallowed $58.5 million from extreme gas price increases from the 2021 winter storm Uri. Disallowances by utility: CP $35.7M, GP $845,000, MERC $3M, Xcel $19M. More information found in the news release.
Aug 16-17, 2022 Actions
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On August 16, 2022, an in-person public information meeting was held in Austin, Minnesota for the proposed Pleasant Valley Wind Repowering Project. An online meeting was held on August 17. 30 people attended between the two meetings.
Aug 18, 2022 Decisions
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CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Gas Application for Authority to Increase Natural Gas Rates in Minnesota (21-435, 21-436) The Commission adopted the $48.5 million settlement. Originally CenterPoint requested a rate increase of $67 million. More information found in the news release.
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Application of Big Bend Wind, LLC for a Certificate of Need, a Site Permit for the 308 MW Large Wind Energy Conversion System and a Route Permit for the 161 kV Transmission Line in Cottonwood, Martin, and Watonwan Counties, Minnesota; Application of Red Rock Solar, LLC, for a Certificate of Need and a Site Permit for the up to 60 MW Red Rock Solar Project in Cottonwood County, Minnesota (19-408, 19-619, 19-621, 19-486, 19-620) The Commission approved the solar hybrid project. The project will consist of up to 300 megawatts (MW) of wind and up to 60 MW of solar generation. Along with power generating facilities, the Commission also approved a permit for an about 18-mile transmission line to deliver the power to the energy grid. More information found in the news release.
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Application of Xcel Energy for a Site Permit and Two Route Permits for the up to 460 Megawatt Sherco Solar Energy Generating System and Associated 345 Kilovolt transmission lines in Sherburne County (21-191, 21-190, 21-189) The Commission determined that the Environmental Assessment addressed the issues identified in the scoping decision and issued site and route permits for the Sherco Solar Project.
Aug 25, 2022 Decisions
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Formal Complaint and Petition for Relief by Nokomis Energy and Union Garden (22-212) Commission voted to investigate the allegations of Nokomis’ community solar garden complaint and required Xcel Energy to file an answer to the formal complaint. Additionally, the Commission ordered the parties to continue settlement discussions.
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Utility Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) Trackers, Incentives, and Adjustment Factors (22-165, 22-209, 22-160, 22-158) The Commission approved the annual CIP trackers, incentives, and adjustment factors for Otter Tail Power, Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation, and Xcel Energy (Gas and Electric) per the Department of Commerce’s recommendations.
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Notable New Dockets or Filings
Filings can be accessed using the docket number at: MN PUC eFiling Search
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22-432
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Xcel Energy Public Charging Network, an Electric School Bus Pilot, and Program Modifications |
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22-435
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Commission investigation in Midcontinent Independent System operators (MISO) Investigation for Transmission Projects in Minnesota
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22-443, -444, -445
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3 new name changes impacting EarthLink, McLeod USA, and DeltaCom
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22-452, 451
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Enbridge Solar 130MW Plummer Project Red Lake County
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22-461
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Relief Plan for the Exhaust of the 507 Numbering Plan Area
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Contacts and More Information
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
121 7th Place E, Suite 350 Saint Paul, MN 55101-2147
Local: (651) 296-0406 | Toll Free: 1 (800) 657-3782
consumer.puc@state.mn.us
Direct Contact: Will Seuffert, Executive Secretary Will.seuffert@state.mn.us
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