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NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2024 |
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Applications for PUC Commissioner open
The Office of Secretary of State is now accepting applications for boards and commissions that have members whose terms expire in January 2025. We have a position eligible for appointment on January 6. PUC commissioners serve six-year terms and are Governor-appointed. Details available here.
Commissioner Sullivan appointed OMS President
Commissioner Joseph Sullivan was recently elected President of the Organization of MISO States (OMS). Previously he served as Vice President. The OMS represents the collective interests of state and local utility regulators in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator region. Through OMS, Minnesota works to make sure the regional transmission system is planning for reliable electric service, keeping energy rates affordable, and enabling us to implement state policies, including decarbonization and environmental goals.
“I’m honored to be elected as the incoming President of the Organization of MISO States. I am excited to work on some of the biggest issues facing our region, including transmission planning, distributed energy resources and how we can affect policy.” - Commissioner Sullivan. Learn more about OMS at www.misostates.org.
Get Ready for the New eFiling/eDockets App
In mid-late November the eFiling/e-Dockets application will be updated to a new version. The new app will have these updates:
- New user-friendly design
- New and improved functions and features
- Improved compatibility with browsers and devices
- Ability to upload larger files
The basic functions of the application, for downloading and viewing documents, will remain the same. Watch this video to learn more about the new eFiling/eDockets application.
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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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NOV 6
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11 AM
6 PM
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Public hearing – Minnesota Energy Connection Project certificate of need and route permit
11 AM – Granite Falls 6 PM - Olivia
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NOV 7
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10 AM
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Agenda meeting
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2023 annual electric Safety, Reliability, and Service Quality Reports for Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power, and Otter Tail Power
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Impacts of the “capacity” definition in Minn. Stat. § 216B.164 and associated rules on net metering eligibility for rate-regulated utilities
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NOV 7
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11 AM
6 PM
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Public hearing – Minnesota Energy Connection Project certificate of need and route permit
11 AM – Marshall 6 PM – Redwood Falls
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NOV 8
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9 AM
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Workgroup – Proactive Grid Upgrades Workgroup and DER Cost Sharing Workgroup
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NOV 9-13
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2024 NARUC Annual Meeting and Education Conference
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NOV 11
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CLOSED
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Holiday – Office closed
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NOV 12
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6 PM
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Public meeting – Beaver Creek Transmission Line Project (LeRoy)
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NOV 12
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7 PM
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Public meeting – Coneflower Solar Project (Tracy)
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NOV 13
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6 PM
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Public meeting – Beaver Creek Transmission Line Project (virtual)
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NOV 13
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6 PM
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Public meeting – Coneflower Solar Project (virtual)
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NOV 14
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10 AM
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Agenda meeting
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Joint Request of the City of Warroad and Roseau Electric Cooperative to modify electric service territory boundaries.
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CenturyLink’s petition for reconsideration of the Commission’s September 17, 2024, Order.
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Review of Xcel Energy’s July 31, 2024, ARR compliance filing for the proposed Community Solar Garden Program.
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NOV 19
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6 PM
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Public meeting – Dry Cask Storage at the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant (Red Wing)
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NOV 20
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6 PM
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Public meeting – Dry Cask Storage at the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant (virtual)
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NOV 21
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10 AM
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Agenda meeting
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Great Rive Energy Pilot Knob to Burnsville upgrade and rebuild
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Interconnection Ombudsperson surcharge
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Telephone Assistance Program budget
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NOV 22
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9 AM
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Thermal Energy Network Deployment Workgroup informational workshop
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NOV 22
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9:30 AM
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Minnesota telecom regulation stakeholder meeting #3
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NOV 28-29
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CLOSED
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Holiday – Office closed
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Commission decisions
October 3
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The Commission approved the certificate of need for the Big Stone South—Alexandria—Big Oaks project, as well as the route permit for the eastern segment of the line, from Alexandria to Big Oaks. The western segment will come before the Commission in 2025. Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power, and Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency are collectively working on this project to create a transmission line that connects the Big Stone South substation to the Alexandria and Big Oaks substations. This is a MISO long range transmission project. (Dockets 23-159, 22-538) News release
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The Commission determined additional review of routes is needed for Xcel Energy’s Mankato-Mississippi River 345-kV project. (Dockets 22-532, 23-157)
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The Commission approved Xcel’s Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) extension with St. Paul Cogeneration from January 1, 2025, through May 31, 2028, which includes the proposed electrification proposal to build a 30 MW electric boiler if Xcel agrees to file another PPA extension through May 31, 2031, before the newly approved PPA ends. (Docket 21-590)
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The Commission approved the service territory transfer between East Central Energy and Northwestern Wisconsin Electric Co. (Docket 24-255)
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The Commission approved the service territory transfer between Rochester Public Utilities and People’s Energy Cooperative. (Docket 24-257)
October 10
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The Commission approved Xcel’s Automatic Bill Credit proposal for a two-year pilot as recommended by Xcel and Equity Stakeholder Advisory Group members. The Commission ordered a comment period in Docket No. 24-115 (Xcel Advanced Rate Design) on whether Xcel should conduct a study on potential changes in residential rate design to assist low-income customers. (Docket 24-173)
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The Commission approved Xcel’s proposed electric and gas tariff modifications. (Docket 24-130)
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The Commission denied the petition to reconsider the Commission’s Aug 26, 2024, denial of the petition to reconsider the Commission’s May 30, 2024, Order transitioning Applicable Retail Rate-era Community Solar Garden projects to the Value of Solar rate. (Docket 13-867)
October 15
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The Commission ordered Xcel Energy to provide refunds to ratepayers related to the November 19, 2011, catastrophic failure of a turbine at the Sherco generating facility that resulted in the prolonged shutdown of Sherco Unit 3. Xcel’s ratepayers will receive a refund based on total energy replacement costs, including interest, of approximately $58 million, subject to a reduction for credits ratepayers have already received from a settlement the Company secured from the turbine manufacturer. (Dockets 12-961, 13-868, 13-599, 14-579, 16-523, 17-492, 18-373) News release
October 24
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The Commission approved a settlement regarding Minnesota Power's 2023 electric rate case. The settlement is for a 4.9% rate increase for residential and small business customers and a 4.4% increase for industrial and large commercial customers, worth $34 million. Minnesota Power originally asked for a 12% increase for all customers, worth $89.1 million. This smaller rate increase means Minnesota Power will issue refunds to its customers for interim rates collected. (Docket 23-155) News release
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The Commission approved Minnesota Energy Resources Corp.’s 2024 depreciation rates. (Docket 24-209)
October 31
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The Commission approved Xcel Energy’s Transmission Cost Recovery (TCR) Rider. The Commission did not approve intervener compensation recovery as a line item on future TCR filing, as there were no current intervener cost recoveries. The Commission declined to adopt performance incentive mechanisms for Xcel Energy’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Field Area Network investments and instead ordered the Company to propose options for enhanced demand response and load flexibility programs by its upcoming rate case acceptance hearing. (Docket 23-467)
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The Commission approved rate-regulated gas utilities’ 2023 Conservation Improvement Program tracker balance, Demand Side Management Financial Incentives, and Conservation Cost Recovery Adjustment factor. (Dockets 24-43,44,45,46,47)
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The Commission approved rate-regulated electric utilities’ 2023 Conservation Improvement Program tracker balance, Demand Side Management Financial Incentives, and Conservation Cost Recovery Adjustment factor. (Dockets 24-48,49,50)
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The Commission approved the 2025 Fuel Clause Adjustment forecast for Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power, and Xcel Energy. (Docket 24-64, 65, 63)
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Recaps of Commission meetings and hearings
Project meetings
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Birch Coulee Solar Project – On October 9-10, the PUC held in-person and virtual public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings for Birch Coulee’s application for a site permit for an up to 125 MW solar energy generating system in Renville County. Several people gave comments during the meetings, some raising concerns about the potential impacts to landowners’ properties.
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CenterPoint Energy Gas Rate Case – Between October 16 and 24 there were six public hearings throughout CenterPoint’s service territory. These meetings were an opportunity for the public to provide comments and ask questions about CenterPoint Energy’s request to increase rates by approximately 6.5% or $84.6 million for 2024 and approximately 3.7% or $51.8 million for 2025. Written comments accepted through Dec. 20, 2024. (Notice)
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Gopher State Solar Project – The Commission held in-person and virtual public meetings on October 28-29 related to Gopher State Solar’s application for a site permit for the proposed up to 200 MW solar energy generating project in Renville County. Written comments accepted through November 15. (Notice)
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Laketown Transmission Line Project – On October 23 and 28 the PUC held in-person and virtual public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings for Great River Energy and Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative’s application for a route permit to build a new 4.3-mile 115-kV double-circuit high-voltage transmission line and substation in Laketown and Dahlgren townships in Carver County. Written comments will be accepted through November 12. (Notice)
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Minnesota Energy Connection (MNEC) Project– The Commission held in-person and virtual public hearings about the MNEC project. Xcel Energy applied for a certificate of need and route permit for the up to 174 mile 345-kV double-circuit transmission line between Sherburne and Lyon counties. These meetings are an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments regarding the project or the draft environmental impact statement. Public hearings will continue into early November. Written comments will be accepted through November 25. (Notice)
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Northern Crescent Solar and Battery Storage Project – On October 8-9, the Commission held in-person and virtual public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings for Northern Crescent Solar’s application for site permits for the up to 150 MW solar energy generating system and a 50 MW battery energy storage system in Faribault County.
Planning meetings
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Electric Vehicle (EV) Programs Update Planning Meeting – On October 1, the Commission held a planning meeting regarding EV programs in Minnesota. PUC staff gave an overview of EV pilot results of a wide range of EV pilots. Some of the pilots discussed include, direct current fast charging station installation, time-of-use charging, multi-family and non-residential EV service, and fleet and public service, and more. The meeting also included a discussion on the challenges and successes the utility companies have faced along with ideas on how they can provide more clarity and guidance in their annual filings. You can watch the meeting and review the presentations here.
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Data Center Planning Meeting - The Commission held a planning meeting on October 29 to discuss hyperscale data center development in Minnesota. The Commission focused the meeting on the topics within its jurisdiction like infrastructure planning, rates and affordability, and compliance with state carbon-free requirements. Participants in the meeting included stakeholders from the tech industry; power companies; and state regulatory entities and MISO; and residential ratepayer and large industrial user advocates; labor, environmental advocates, and the state chamber of commerce. You can watch the meeting and review the presentations here.
Workgroup/stakeholder meetings
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Telecommunications Regulation Workgroup – On October 4, Commission Staff convened a group of telecom stakeholders to facilitate discussions around modernizing the State’s telecom regulations. Staff held a second meeting on October 30 and plans to host a third meeting on November 22. The goal of these meetings from the Commission’s perspective is to review Minnesota Statutes and Rules, assess the current state of the industry, identify opportunities to update regulations to reflect current needs, and begin discussions around other potential changes. Stakeholders include state agencies, industry reps, consumer advocates, and labor groups. For more information, please contact Will Nissen. To view active workgroups, visit our website.
Notable new dockets or filings
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DOCKET
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DOCKET OR FILING SUMMARY
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23-524
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Several groups filed comments on Xcel’s revised residential Time-of-Use rate design proposal, in general seeing improvement from the previous filing but highlighting remaining concerns around net metering, bill protections, customer engagement and options, rate design, and reporting among other issues.
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24-67
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Xcel filed a settlement with certain parties on its 2024-2040 Integrated Resource Plan and the 800 MW Firm Dispatchable RFP (23-212) and supporting documentation. Xcel and settling parties request Commission action before Feb 1, 2025, on both dockets, though 23-212.
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23-160
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Otter Tail Power filed the route application for Big Stone South to Alexandria 345 kV Transmission Line (western segment) associated with CN in Docket No. 22-438 and is part of MISO’s LRTP Tranche 1. “The Project will be constructed using double-circuit structures, however, only a single circuit will be installed initially. The Project will be in portions of Big Stone, Swift, Stevens, Pope, and Douglas Counties, Minnesota.”
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20-86
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The Department recommends Xcel set aside the General Service TOU pilot and develop a default General Service TOU rate by Nov. 1, 2025. Department remains concerned with pilot participation levels and sees need for better customer education and outreach.
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24-67, 23-212
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Xcel filed comments in support of the settlement agreement between Xcel, Department, Clean Energy Orgs, LIUNA, Local 49, Carpenters, National Grid, DESRI, Onward, and Invenergy on Xcel’s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan and project acquisition for the 800 MW Firm, Dispatchable RFP. Xcel notes the Settlement is comparable, even lower, than the initial Preferred Plan in the 2024 IRP - $73m-$75m lower between 2024-2040 compared to the updated Preferred Plan. Xcel also claims the Settlement will achieve 105.2% carbon free generation by 2040. 5-year action plan includes: 3200 MW by 2030 (2800 MW use MN Energy Connection); 400 MW by 2030 (using King Connection), extension of Monticello Nuclear Plant to 2050, extension of Prairie Island Nuclear Plant to 2053, 2054. The Settlement does not identify a specific preferred plan beyond the 5-year action plan.
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24-316
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EDP Renewables, Department of Commerce, New Grid, Inc., Minnesota Power, and Xcel Energy filed comments describing congestion and curtailment issues in SW Minnesota; as well as, studies and solutions, including grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) and the Joint Targeted Interconnection Study (JTIQ), under consideration.
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06-91
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NextEra Energy reports the projection is for all wind turbine blades with the Mower County Wind Repowering project to be removed by mid-November.
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23-413
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ALJ Report filed and recommends the PUC to adopt the Xcel Energy gas rate case settlement and find it is in public interest and supported by the record. The Settlement proposes a net increase of 7.5%, or $46.31 million, reducing the Company’s test year revenue deficiency by $12.72 million – a 21.5% reduction from initial proposal.
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24-279
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Snowshoe BESS, LLC filed a site permit application under alternative review for an up to 150 MW charging (from grid) and discharging (to grid) capacity for up to 4 hours of on-peak energy in Olmsted County.
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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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