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Check out our interactive wind and solar map
We recently launched an interactive map that shows solar and wind generation facilities, as well as energy storage projects that are in the permitting process or have been permitted by the Commission. The map includes solar arrays of 50 megawatts or greater and wind projects that fall under Commission authority. The new map is found on our Maps page of the website.
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New job posting! Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator
We are hiring a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Coordinator that will serve as a champion for building cultural awareness and advancing the Commission’s DEI initiatives. The individual will provide project management, direction, development, training, technical expertise, and the guidance necessary to implement our DEI Workplace Action Plan, advise on utility DEI reporting, and assist in agency outreach activities. Click here to view the job posting.
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Minnesota Women in Energy showcases leaders from across the state
In April and June, Minnesota Women in Energy held events that highlighted the important role women play in the energy sector. Moderated panels include a diverse group of leaders from across Minnesota that discuss a variety of topics facing our industry. To stay informed on upcoming Women in Energy events, click here.
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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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DETAILS
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July 4
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Holiday
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Independence Day – office closed
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July 6
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10 AM
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Agenda Meeting: Xcel’s Long-Duration Energy Storage System Pilot at Sherco, Reconsideration of Xcel Renewable*Connect Program modification and approval
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July 12
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9 AM
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Natural Gas Service Quality Reporting Working Group
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July 13
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10 AM
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Agenda Meeting: Joint request of Moorhead Public Service Commission and Red River Valley Cooperative Power Assoc. to modify electric service territory boundaries; Minnesota Large Industrial Group petition to modify Open Data Access Standards, 2022 Gas Affordability Program report for Xcel, CenterPoint, MERC, Greater Minnesota Gas and Great Plains; Dodge County Wind route permit and proposed language for potential referral for contested case
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July 18
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6 PM
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Public hearing: CenturyLink telephone service complaint (Thief River Falls)
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July 19
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1 PM
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Public hearing: CenturyLink telephone service complaint (Hibbing)
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July 20
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10 AM
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Agenda Meeting: Xcel hosting capacity analysis; Minnesota Power, Xcel, Otter Tail Power’s CIP trackers and rate adjustments
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July 21
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10 AM
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Public hearing: CenturyLink telephone service complaint (virtual)
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July 24
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6 PM
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Public hearing: CenturyLink telephone service complaint (virtual)
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July 26
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6 PM
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Public hearing: CenturyLink telephone service complaint (Marshall)
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July 27
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10 AM
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Agenda Meeting: Great River Energy application for minor alteration to site permit for Unit 2 Combustion Turbine at Cambridge Station facility; Joint Commission-Department investigation into Inflation Reduction Act; Summit Carbon Solutions route permit for Otter Tail to Wilkin Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Project
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July 27
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1 PM
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Public hearing: CenturyLink telephone service complaint (Owatonna)
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Aug 1
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10 AM
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Planning Meeting: Energy Conservation Optimization (ECO) Act Implementation and Conservation Improvement Program (CIP) Triennial Plan updates
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Aug 3
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10 AM
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Agenda Meeting: Withdrawal request for Xcel’s Clean Transportation Portfolio; Withdrawal request for Xcel’s Resilient Minneapolis Project cost cap increase petition; Minnkota Integrated Resource Plan, Distributed Generation Rate Guidance (Att. 6) to Minnesota Distributed Energy Resource Interconnection Process (MN DIP)
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Noteworthy Commission Decisions
Filings can be accessed using the docket number at: MN PUC eFiling Search
June 1, 2023
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Application of Xcel Energy for authority to increase rates for electric service in Minnesota (21-630) The Commission reduced and approved Xcel Energy’s proposal to increase electric rates. The Commission approved a rate increase of approximately $306 million, a 9.6% increase over three years. Xcel initially proposed an increase in rates of $677.72 million, or 21.2%. Read more about the decision here.
June 8, 2023
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Xcel Energy tariff revisions for Community Solar Garden - providing additional customer protections in subscription eligibility (21-695) The Commission reopened Order Point 2B from the June 24, 2022 Order and directed Xcel Energy to work with the Department of Commerce on improvements to Xcel’s billing system. Additionally, the Commission approved tariff modifications to Xcel’s Standard Contract for Solar*Rewards Community and new “Landlord as Subscriber Addendum”. These modifications allow for tenants to opt-in or opt-out of any type of “Building Subscription Model” (BSM). This allows for the continuation of the BSM, a CSG subscription program, while also giving low-income tenants the ability to maintain eligibility for Xcel’s energy assistance programs. Lastly, the Commission approved modifications to the Low-Income Energy Discount Rider tariff to eliminate the energy consumption threshold for PowerOn eligibility. This should ensure low-income tenants will be eligible regardless of energy consumption.
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Application of Magellan Pipeline Company, L.P. for a route permit for the Pipestone Reroute Project in Pipestone, County, Minnesota (23-109) The Commission accepted Magellan’s application as complete and directed the inclusion of a proposed route alternative sponsored by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe for consideration in the Comparative Environmental Analysis.
June 22, 2023
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Decommissioning Trust Fund for the Enbridge Energy Line 3 Replacement Pipeline (21-823) The Commission tabled the matter without making any decisions and directed staff to issue a notice for comments on additional issues.
June 29, 2023
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Minnesota Power’s Petition for Approval of the Annual Automatic Adjustment Charges for the Period of January 2022 through December 2022 (21-312) The Commission approved Minnesota Power’s 2022 Annual Fuel and Purchased Energy Charge Rider true-up compliance filing. The Commission ordered Minnesota Power to work with stakeholders to explore mitigation strategies and propose those strategies in the Company’s upcoming rate case.
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Application completeness of Xcel Energy for a Certificate of Need for two gen-tie lines from Sherburne County to Lyon County (22-131) The Commission ordered joint proceedings on the Certificate of Need and the Route Permit for the Sherburne County to Lyon County gen-tie lines project, and suspended review of the certificate of need application until Xcel Energy has filed a route permit application for the project.
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Commission Consideration of demand response under the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (22-268) The Commission determined that no further action is needed to fulfill the Infrastructure Investment and Job’s Act requirement for state regulatory authorities to consider demand response and timely cost recovery. The Commission recognized that further action can be taken to promote demand response in Minnesota and looks forward to continuing to work with stakeholders on the issue.
Other decisions
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DOCKET
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FILING OR DOCKET SUMMARY
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20-86
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The Commission approved tariff changes for Xcel’s upcoming time-of-use pilot for commercial and industrial customers. The pilot is slated to start later this year and will last two years, ahead of Xcel’s rollout of default time-of-use rates for the commercial and industrial class in 2025.
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20-492
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The Commission approved Otter Tail Power’s request to discontinue quarterly reporting associated with this docket.
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21-295
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The Commission approved Xcel Energy’s 2022 Fuel Forecast True-Up Report and refund
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21-311
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The Commission approved the true-up of Otter Tail’s annual costs and collections recovered through Otter Tail’s Energy Adjustment Rider
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Public meetings and hearings
Heartland Corn Natural Gas Pipeline Project: The Department of Commerce and the PUC held joint public meetings June 14-15, 2023, to discuss the natural gas pipeline project in Sibley County. As the RGU, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency was present at both meetings and discussed their role in the EAW process. Public comment closes July 13. More information found in the public notice.
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Notable New Dockets or Filings
You can search for a docket as well as subscribe to receive email notifications when new documents are added to a docket. Learn more on our eDockets webpage.
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DOCKET
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FILING OR DOCKET SUMMARY
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23-256
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Minnesota Power filed a notice with plans to replace 226 transmission structures, replace/upgrade the existing conductor, and add fiber optic cable along the entire length of the 115kV High Voltage Transmission Line between Dog Lake and Badoura substations beginning in late 2023. Under Minn. R. 7850.1500, the Company notes no permit is required for the proposed maintenance activities.
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22-532, 22-416,
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Utilities filed quarterly status updates on transmission lines with no changes in anticipated timelines.
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19-223; 19-395
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National Grid Renewables Development LLC requests an amendment to the site permit for Regal Solar LLC to construct up to 119.5 MWac solar facility and extend the in-service date from 4Q 2021 to 4Q 2025.
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23-217
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Xcel filed a notice of intent to file a site permit for Sherco Solar 3, up to 250 MW, in June 2023.
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21-335
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CUB filed a request for intervenor compensation of $63,231,48, as did Energy Cents Coalition for $46,067.95, for the Minnesota Power rate case under the new legislation. Minnesota Power filed notice of appeal to Minnesota Court of Appeals on two topics: treatment of prepaid pension assets and Taconite Harbor. MP filed its updated interim rate refund compliance filing.
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16-280
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OTP filed proposed REC rates for cogen/small power producer customers for on or after Sept 1, 2023. All rates for projects 41kW to 1 MW increased by double.
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19-495
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Elk Creek filed a site permit amendment application for the Dec. 2020 site permit to increase the nameplate capacity from 80 MW to 160 MW requesting consideration of the amendment by March 2024.
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21-565; 23-117
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Great Plains Institute filed an update on the first meeting of stakeholders which focused on learning about Gas IRPs in other states; includes presentations and notes on the discussion/Q&A. 53 attendees from 21 organizations participated; with Dept and PUC staff observing.
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22-607; 22-611
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Minnesota Power filed a summary of the Certificate of Need (CN) for the HVDC Modernization Project which includes construction of modernized HVDC terminals and transmission facilities between the Arrowhead Substation in Hermantown, MN and Center Substation in Center, ND and is anticipated to cost between $800-940 million. MP also filed the CN and atts. (multiple filings)
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20-181
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Otter Tail Power filed modifications to its Electric Vehicle Direct Current Fast Charging General Service-Time of Day rate.
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23-215
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CenterPoint filed their first NGIA Innovation Plan including 18 pilots projected to reduce/avoid ~14% of total emissions from the natural gas for CPE’s sales-service customers in 2020 and create ~3,000 FTEs in MN. The NGIA plan also includes 7 research and development pilots. CPE calculates its cost cap and request at $105,704,610 over 5 years.
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Get involved in the PUC process
The 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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