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NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 2024 |
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Commissioner Means' term concludes
We want to acknowledge the contributions of Commissioner Valerie Means, whose term with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission concludes this month.
Since her appointment in 2019, Commissioner Means has been a dedicated advocate for ensuring fair rates and advancing equity in utility regulation. Her leadership and vision have been instrumental in guiding Minnesota’s energy and utility policies during a time of rapid change in the industry.
As we bid farewell to Commissioner Means, we extend our deepest gratitude for her service and unwavering commitment to the people of Minnesota. Her work has left a lasting impact on the state's energy landscape, and her legacy will continue to shape the PUC's work in the years ahead. Please join us in thanking Commissioner Means for her dedication and service to Minnesota.
Spreading the word about Cold Weather Rule in multiple languages
As winter sets in, the Commission is helping ensure that all residents are aware of their rights under the Cold Weather Rule through a new series of multilingual videos. These resources aim to break language barriers and reach communities that might otherwise be left in the dark about critical protections.
The Cold Weather Rule protects Minnesotans from having their heat shut off during the colder months, provided they make and maintain a payment plan with their utility provider. However, many people—especially those with limited English proficiency—are unaware of this safeguard.
To address this, the Commission created informational videos in English, Spanish and Somali. The videos explain the Rule, outline steps to apply for assistance, and encourage residents to contact their utility providers early if they face difficulties paying their bills. Videos and additional information on CWR found on our website.
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First phase of Sherco Solar online
The first phase of Xcel Energy’s Sherco Solar project was connected to the electrical grid in late October. In November, Xcel leadership, contractors, union leaders, utility regulators and government officials, including Governor Walz, gathered to celebrate this milestone. In the first phase, Sherco Solar’s connection to the Upper Midwest grid is providing 220 megawatts of solar power. Two additional connection phases will come online in 2025 and 2026. Once complete, Sherco Solar’s combined capacity of 710 MW will provide enough clean energy to power 150,000 homes across the Upper Midwest.
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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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DEC 3
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10 AM
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Agenda meeting
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Application of Benton Solar, LLC for a site permit for the 100 MW Solar Energy Generating System for the Benton Solar Project in Benton County
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Petition by CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Gas for authority to increase natural gas rates in Minnesota- second interim rate increase request
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Application of Greater Minnesota Gas, Inc. for authority to increase rates for natural gas utility service in Minnesota
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Greater Minnesota Gas, Inc.’s petition for approval of a new base cost of gas
- Naming Commissioner Hwikwon Ham chair of the subcommittee on uncontested proceedings (PUC consent agenda)
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DEC 4
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6 PM
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Public meeting – ITC Midwest route permit for the 161 kV transmission line from Forks Substation to Rost Substation in Jackson County (Lakefield)
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DEC 9
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6 PM
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Public meeting – Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) site permit for the up to 150 MW Snowshoe Energy Storage Project in Olmstead County (Byron)
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DEC 10
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10 AM
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Public hearing – Annual Power Plant Siting Act
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DEC 10
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6 PM
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Public meeting – ITC Midwest route permit for the 161 kV transmission line from Forks Substation to Rost Substation in Jackson County (Virtual)
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DEC 12
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10 AM
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Agenda meeting
- Summit Carbon Solutions, LLC, for a Routing Permit for the Otter Tail to Wilkin Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Project
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Service Area Transfer Agreement between Northern States Power Co. and Dakota Electric Assoc.
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Service Area Transfer Agreement between Northern States Power Co. and City of Kasson.
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Application of Xcel Energy to increase rates for electric service in Minnesota – application acceptance
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DEC 12
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6 PM
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Public meeting – BESS site permit for the up to 150 MW Snowshoe Energy Storage Project in Olmstead County (virtual)
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DEC 18
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6 PM
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Public meeting – Otter Tail Power’s Solway Solar Project (virtual)
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DEC 19
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10 AM
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Agenda meeting
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Minnesota Power Solar Sense Program
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GMG RNG interconnection
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Natural gas utilities’ service quality reports
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CenterPoint Energy NGIA – OAG reconsideration
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DEC 19
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6 PM
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Public meeting – Otter Tail Power’s Solway Solar Project (Solway)
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DEC 20
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9 AM
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MISO quarterly update
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DEC 25
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CLOSED
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Holiday – Office closed
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JAN 1
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CLOSED
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Holiday – Office closed
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Commission decisions
November 7
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The Commission approved the 2023 Safety, Reliability, and Service Quality (SRSQ) Reports submitted by Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power, and Xcel Energy. The Commission required Xcel to take steps in response to disconnection and reliability issues. Press release. (Docket 24-27, 29, 30)
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The Commission ordered a new rulemaking proceeding to clarify the meaning of “capacity” for purposes of eligibility for net-metering in Minnesota. (Docket 24-200)
November 14
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The Commission approved the service area transfer between City of Warroad and Roseau Electric Cooperative. (Docket 24-287)
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The Commission denied the petition for reconsideration by CenturyLink of the Sept 17, 2024, Order. (Docket 20-432)
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The Commission approved the solution proposed by parties to address a previous Applicable Retail Rate error for Community Solar Gardens by applying a credit to future bills in April-July 2025. (Docket 13-867)
November 21
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The Commission approved procedures for collecting, tracking, reporting, and modifying as needed the interconnection ombudsperson surcharge per 2024 legislation. (Docket 24-248)
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The Commission accepted the Telephone Assistance Plan (TAP) Fund Review, maintaining the current TAP surcharge and credit level. (Docket 24-253)
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The Commission approved the route permit for the Pilot Knob to Burnsville Rebuild and Upgrade Project in Dakota County. (Docket 23-410)
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Recaps of Commission meetings and hearings
Project meetings
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Beaver Creek Transmission Line -On November 12-13, the PUC and Minnesota Department of Commerce held in-person and virtual public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings for Dairyland Power Cooperative’s application for a route permit for the Beaver Creek Transmission Line Project. The proposed project would be new construction of an approximately 3.5-mile 161 kV high voltage transmission line and associated facilities in Fillmore County. Written comments accepted until December 3. Notice.
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Coneflower Solar Project – On November 12-13, the PUC and Minnesota Department of Commerce held in-person and virtual public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings on the application of Coneflower Energy for an up to 235 MW solar energy generating system. The proposed project footprint would include approximately 1,723 acres of private land on a 2,299-acre project site in Custer Township in Lyon County. Written comments accepted until December 4. Notice.
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Plummer Solar Project - On November 20-21, public hearings were held for the Plummer Solar Project in Red Lake County. The next phase of the project is for the ALJ to produce a report, which is expected in February of 2025.
Planning meetings
Notable new dockets or filings
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DOCKET
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DOCKET OR FILING SUMMARY
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24-320
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Xcel Electric filed a multi-year rate case. CUB filed initial and petition to intervene including a recommendation to lower the 2025 interim rate increase to exclude wildfire-related capital and O&M costs and deny the 2026 interim rate increase. OAG recommends exigent circumstances to reduce 2025 interim increase by $43.6m or deny new wildfire mitigation costs, insurance premiums, and remove capital additions for Grid Reinforcement Program that were rejected in last rate case; and deny 2026 interim request or defer decision until late 2025. Department recommends limit interim rates to 2025. Xcel replied supporting application as complete and scope of contested case, offers an alternative treatment of wildfire mitigation costs in the interim rates resulting in reductions of $24.7 million and $44.8 million in 2025 and 2026, respectively; does not object staying a decision on the 2026 interim rates, and agrees to provide DR and Peak Time Rebate information. OAG replied focused on the peak time rebate treatment and maintains opposition to Xcel’s interim rate proposal. Department is recommending PUC grant them authority to seek additional funds if taking up wildfire and peak rebate issues in rate case. Electrify America requests caution about raising rates on EV DCFC providers.
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24-350
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Greater MN Gas filed a rate case. Department recommends conditional acceptance on submission of supplemental information and referral to OAH. OAG recommends referring to OAH for contested case and finding that not all significant issues have been resolved. Greater MN Gas filed reply supporting rate case application completeness and willing to implement interim rates and refunds as a separate line item if needed.
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24-67, 23-212
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Xcel filed comments and documentation in support of the IRP and Firm Dispatchable settlement. Onward Energy filed additional information for the environmental review noting the size of the battery energy storage system is 14 MW and 4-hr capacity (56 MWh) and will be charged with Mankato Energy Center natural gas facility and in service by 2028.
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23-215
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Office of the Attorney General filed a Petition for Reconsideration on one pilot in CenterPoint Energy’s NGIA Plan related to tree planting.
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22-422
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ALJ issued report on Summit Carbon Solutions Pipeline. Report recommends: 1) find final EIS adequate; 2) grant route permit; 3) select RA-South Route Alternative; and 4) if grant route permit, impose certain conditions.
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23-109
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Several tribes filed letters and comments in opposition of the Magellan Pipestone Pipeline route permit decision.
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11-1249
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The Department filed a complaint against Q Link Wireless requesting ETC designation be revoked noting the Company has pleaded guilty in connection to a scheme to steal more than $100 million from the federal Lifeline Program.
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22-607, 611
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Large Power Intervenors filed a reconsideration on Minnesota Power’s HVDC Modernization Project arguing the Commission did not require Minnesota Power to demonstrate a need to expand the capacity of the system to provide service to its MN customers and did not determine an appropriate cost allocation for the project. Minnesota Power answered recommending denial.
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20-800
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Nokomis comments that security risk is still not identified, and that FERC Order 792 requires certain data shared in pre-application reports. MN Grid Access Advocates commented recommending edits to the workgroup recommendation and discussing how to incorporate Synapse report and NARUC playbook among other recs. Otter Tail supports the workgroup recommendations. Department recommends using NARUC playbook with Converge report for a standing workgroup to continue to develop final recommendations on a data-sharing process for DER interconnection within six months of the order. Xcel Energy supports workgroup recommendations including a Grid Security Working Group to use NARUC playbook to determine necessary security measures, give utilities discretion to withhold data from parties that don’t meet the established security standards, and include privacy in scope. Minnesota Power cautions against a 1-size-fits-all and highlights need for feasibility and flexibility considerations. Dakota Electric supports the workgroup recommendations and use of the playbook and will work to try and resolve grid security and data access issues with different parties.
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24-382
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Minnesota Power filed 2025 Transmission Cost Recovery (TCR) Rider with a total estimated 2025 MN jurisdictional revenue requirement of nearly $15.3 million. The 2024 and 2025 revenue requirements include, among other projects, recovery of cost for investments and expenditures incurred related to the Duluth Loop Project, and the HVDC Modernization Project for which the Commission approved a CN and route permit on October 25, 2024. Also included is recovery of cost for investments and expenditures incurred related to the Alexandria – Big Oaks Project for which the Commission issued a CN and a route permit on October 30, 2024. FERC has granted incentive rate treatment for investments in both Alexandria-Big Oaks Project and Northland Reliability Project (included in the 2025 TCR Tracker).
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24-384
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Rochester Telecom Systems, Inc (RTSI) plans to discontinue all telecom services in MN effective Dec. 19, 2024, and cease operations shortly after. “RTSI has provided switchless long distance and toll-free services to approximately 500 customers in Minnesota (534), primarily school districts and municipalities, local businesses, and a small number of residential customers.” RTSI mailed notice to customers on Oct. 15.
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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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