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March 2023 Newsletter
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Commission Calendar and Upcoming Events
The information below is subject to change. Current information available online at PUC calendar.
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DATE
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TIME
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EVENT
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MAR 2
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10 AM
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AGENDA MEETING: Xcel’s approval for updated pricing for the Border Winds and Pleasant Valley Wind Repowering Projects; Commission Inquiry into the advertising, outreach, and offering of Lifeline by High Cost ETCs
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MAR 2
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1 PM
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RESCHEDULED FEB 23 AGENDA MEETING: Updating statewide Technical Interconnection and Interoperability Requirements for full implementation once IEEE 1547-2018 certified inverters are readily available (anticipated in 2023), Biennial Reports on Renewable Energy Standards compliance, Xcel Community Solar Garden 2023 Value of Solar rate and residential adder
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MAR 3
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8:30 AM
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Third technical conference in docket 21-565 on gas regulatory and policy changes to achieve the state’s climate goals.
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MAR 6
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2 PM
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PUBLIC HEARING (virtual): Xcel’s petition for electric vehicle programs
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MAR 8
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7 PM
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PUBLIC HEARING (virtual): Xcel’s petition for electric vehicle programs
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MAR 9
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10 AM
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AGENDA MEETING: Xcel Energy’s request to sell 348 acres at Sherco;; Byron Solar site and route permit for 200 MW Byron Solar Project and 345 kV Transmission Line in Dodge and Olmsted Counties
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MAR 16
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10 AM
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AGENDA MEETING: Xcel’s approval of a Gas Utility Infrastructure Cost Rider True-up Report for 2020, Updated Costs for 2021, Revenue Requirements for 2022, and Revised Adjustment Factors; Xcel’s approval of their 2021-2022 Transmission Cost Recovery (TCR) Rider revenue requirements
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MAR 23
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10 AM
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AGENDA MEETING: Xcel gas rate case
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MAR 28
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10 AM
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PLANNING MEETING: Xcel King/Sherco report
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MAR 30
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10 AM
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AGENDA MEETING: Relief Plan for 507 Area Code; 2018-2019 Gas AAA Reports & True Ups; 2019-2020 Gas AAA Reports & True Ups
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MAR 31
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10 AM
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MISO quarterly meeting
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Notable Commission Decisions or Actions
Filings can be accessed using the docket number at: MN PUC eFiling Search
FEB. 2, 2023 DECISION
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Xcel Energy’s Petition for Approval of a Resiliency Service Program (22-170) The Commission approved Xcel’s Resiliency Service Program. The program will provide support through Xcel Energy ownership, installation, operation, and maintenance of resiliency assets such as battery storage, solar arrays, and back-up generators at the customer site. The program provides customers with greater flexibility to choose resiliency options that best meet their needs and work with Xcel and its contractors to design, construct and maintain their system. News release
FEB. 16, 2023 DECISION
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Xcel Energy’s petition requesting approval of changes to its tariff an Indefinite Variance to Commission rules regarding disconnection of service (22-233) The Commission approved a variance to stop door knocks at properties with two-way capable meters and subsequent tariff modifications, as well as a number of consumer protections and required reporting measures.
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Minnesota Power’s request for a Certificate of Need and a Route Permit for the Duluth Loop Reliability Project in St. Louis County, Minnesota (21-140) The Commission approved Minnesota Power’s Duluth Loop Reliability Project, which includes 14 miles of new transmission lines and upgrades to infrastructure and substations. In their decision the Commission made the recommendations to ensure enhanced environmental protections are in place. Construction will begin in 2023 and anticipated to be operational in 2025. News release
FEB. 17, 2023 ACTION
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Natural Gas Working Group: On February 17, the Natural Gas Working Group (NGWG) gathered for its inaugural meeting. The group, which was ordered by the Commission to continue exploring comparable metrics for gas service quality reports, laid the groundwork for ongoing discussion regarding how gas utility service quality could be more easily compared to other utilities and state or national metrics. Additionally, the NGWG began discussing how service quality reporting requirements could be changed to facilitate cross utility comparisons. In its second meeting (date TBD), the NGWG will discuss whether several service quality reporting metrics should be replaced with similar metrics reported by all utilities in their annual PHMSA gas distribution reports.
Other decisions
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DOCKET
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FILING OR DOCKET SUMMARY
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22-570
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In the Matter of the formal complaint for expedited relief by Novel Energy Solutions, the Commission determined there are not reasonable grounds to proceed with an investigation of the complaint and dismissed the complaint.
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22-50, 22-51
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The Commission determined Citizens and Frontier have demonstrated that the increase in the convenience fee to $10 does not result in substantial customer harm and is otherwise in compliance with Minnesota law and Commission rules.
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22-587
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The Commission approved Federated Rural Electric Association service transfer to Dunnell Public Utilities.
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21-339
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The Commission received an update on Otter Tail’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) modeling considerations. Otter Tail updated their IRP model due Mar. 31, 2023.
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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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DOCKET
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FILING OR DOCKET SUMMARY
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22-504
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Clean Energy Organizations intervened in MERC rate case.
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21-630
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Rate case parties filed an issue matrix in Xcel electric rate case.
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21-383,
19-840
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CenterPoint Energy annual new area surcharge compliance filing.
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13-867
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Xcel CSG Program – Advanced notice of planned outages.
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21-335
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Transcripts of PUC meetings for the Minnesota Power Rate case filed.
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22-76
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Minnesota Power Renewable Resource Rider and 2022 Renewable Factor.
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21-339
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Otter Tail Power filed a supplemental in IRP addressing 100% carbon free legislation impacts on Astoria saying there was no impact.
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19-351
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Elk Creek Solar filed a letter updating project noting after multiple rounds of review and delay at MISO the project has been approved; however, the project’s PPA with Xcel for Renewable*Connect has lapsed so now looking for a new customer.
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15-137
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Enbridge filed compliance reports on Tribal Economic Opportunity and Labor Education Plan, Route Permit Status & Replacement Status.
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Get involved in the PUC process
The Public Utilities Commission encourages Minnesotans to get involved in our processes, stay informed on utility-related issues, and provide input on topics of interest. Visit our website to see what is currently open for public comment. Also, check out the series of short videos that explains who we are, how we work and how to get involved.
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