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Energy Infrastructure Permitting launching July 1
Starting July 1, the Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act will take effect. This new law includes both process and organizational reforms designed to accelerate the approval of energy projects. Central to this reform is the creation of a new Energy Infrastructure Permitting (EIP) Unit at the Commission. This new unit combines the Department of Commerce’s environmental review team with the PUC’s energy facilities permitting staff to form a centralized hub for reviewing and permitting energy infrastructure projects. The PUC selected Desiree Morningstar as the new EIP manager, to lead implementation of the new law. Desiree brings more than 15 years of experience with the US Army Corps of Engineers to this new role.
Additional reforms in the new law include a unified permitting process for solar, wind, battery storage, and smaller transmission line projects, reducing administrative steps as well as increasing clarity for applicants and communities alike. The process still includes robust public participation opportunities—such as comment periods and public meetings—and introduces clearer preapplication guidance. Notably, project applicants will now prepare Environmental Assessments, which EIP staff will review during both preapplication and application phases.
Visit our website to learn more, including instructional videos and guidance documents.
Commission calendar and upcoming events
The information below is subject to change. Current information available online at PUC calendar.
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June 3
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11 AM
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Planning meeting – Green energy technologies (in-person meeting only)
Location: West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris MN
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June 5
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11 AM
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Agenda meeting
- Minnesota Department of Commerce for revocation of the eligible telecommunications carrier status of Q Link Wireless
- Otter Tail Power Co.’s approval of the Solway and Abercrombie Solar Projects and exemption from Certificate of Need for the 50 MW Solway Solar Project in Beltrami County.
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June 6
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10 AM
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MISO quarterly meeting
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June 12
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10 AM
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Agenda meeting
- Xcel Energy’s electric state energy policy compliance and true-up proposal
- Minnesota Energy Resources Corp.’s change in demand entitlement for its consolidated system and NNG system
- Dairyland Power Cooperative’s route permit for the Wabasha Relocation 161 kV Transmission Line Project
- Updating the Generic Standards for the interconnection and operation of distributed generation facilities
- Commission subcommittee delegations – Naming Commissioner Partridge as Chair of the Consumer Affairs Subcommittee
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June 17
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10 AM
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Agenda meeting
- Minnesota Power’s multi-dwelling unit electric vehicle pilot program
- CenterPoint Energy’s request for change in demand units
- Xcel Energy’s request for change in contract demand entitlements
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June 19
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Closed
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Holiday – State offices closed
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June 26
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10 AM
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Agenda meeting
- Minnesota Power rate case (procedural schedule)
- Xcel Energy electric rate case (procedural schedule)
- Minnesota Power CARE Program – annual report
- Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power and OtterTail Power Fuel Clause Adjustment true ups
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June 26
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1:30 PM
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Planning meeting - Energy Infrastructure Permitting update
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Commission decisions
May 8
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The Commission approved Otter Tail’s request to update its 2024 Renewable Resource Cost Recovery Rider rates, with an effective date of July 1, 2025. (Docket 24-422)
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The Commission granted exemptions and data substitutions to the certificate of need application content requirements for the Lyon County Generating Station proposed by Xcel Energy. (Docket 25-145)
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The Commission approved Xcel Energy’s triennial nuclear decommissioning study, including the decommissioning accrual for the Monticello and Prairie Island nuclear plants, end of life nuclear fuel accrual, escalation rates and the Nuclear Decommissioning Trust Fund investment mix. (Docket 24-394)
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The Commission approved Xcel’s requested changes to the net metering tariff to allow the tariff to apply to qualifying facilities up to and including 5 MW. The Commission approved Xcel’s proposed Tariffed 5 MW QF PPA and updates to the appropriate tariff sheets. (Docket 24-398)
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The Commission approved Dakota Electric Association’s 2025 Advanced Grid Infrastructure Rider monthly fixed charge per meter amounts for various rate classes. (Docket 25-84)
May 15
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The Commission accepted Otter Tail Power’s Residential Time-of-Day Pilot Plan. This pilot will use an opt-in approach meaning participation is voluntary. Otter Tail Power will invite customers to apply to the pilot and from those applicants a minimum of 270 applicants, with a maximum of 300 participants, will be randomly selected. The pilot will include three time-of-day periods, on-peak, mid-peak, and off-peak during the seasons of summer (June to September) and Winter (October to May) with different time-of-day periods and prices for the summer and winter seasons. (Docket 23-261)
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The Commission, at the request of the City of Slayton, referred a request to the Office of Administrative Hearings for a determination of just compensation. The Office of Administrative Hearings will review the facts of the case and submit a report with recommendations. (Docket 25-129)
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The Commission approved Great Plains Natural Gas Company’s proposed level of demand entitlements for the 2024-2025 winter heating season and cost changes effective December 1, 2024. (Docket 24-234)
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The Commission tabled Otter Tail’s Transmission Cost Recovery Rider so the company can file additional information on the docket. (Docket 24-204)
May 22
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The Commission voted to standardize renewable natural gas reporting requirements to get a holistic view into the growing market. (Docket 24-202)
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The Commission determined that Xcel Energy’s Peak Time Rebate (PTR) program proposal, which the Company sought to request approval of through its Energy Conservation & Optimization (ECO) Portfolio, requires Commission evaluation. The Commission delegated authority to the Executive Secretary to open a comment period on several topics including the merits of the proposal, program evaluation, and appropriate cost recovery avenues. (Docket 24-432)
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The Commission authorized the Department of Commerce to form an advisory task force for the Midwater BESS project to examine and make recommendations around additional sites and permit conditions. (Docket 24-294, 295)
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The Commission approved Xcel’s petition which included the 2023 True-up report, updated costs for 2024, revenue requirements and revised adjustment factors for 2025. Monthly impact on residential bills will go from $1.98 to $3.21 when new factors implemented in March of 2026. (Docket 24-369)
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The Commission approved Xcel’s 2025 Renewable Energy Standard (RES) Rider revenue requirement and adjustment factor as well as a 10-year regulatory liability for the Sherco Battery investment tax credit flowback. The Commission also allowed Xcel to defer further tracker updates until its next annual RES Rider filing in Fall 2025 and approved their request to revise outdated tariff language related to controlled air conditioning and water heater discounts. (Docket 24-353)
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The Commission approved Otter Tail Power’s request to modify its Solar Energy Standard (SES) plan and the development of 15 additional small-scale solar facilities to achieve compliance with the SES. (Docket 23-338)
May 29
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The Commission approved a settlement in CenterPoint Energy’s natural gas rate case. Under the agreement, CenterPoint will receive a rate increase of $60.8 million for 2024 and an incremental increase of approximately $42.7 million for 2025. CenterPoint initially proposed a $84.6 million rate increase for 2024 and a $51.8 million incremental rate increase for 2025. The settlement reduces the impact to ratepayers by $32.9 million. (Docket 23-173)
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The Commission accepted the joint request of service area transfer from Lake Region Electric Cooperative to Detroit Lakes Public Utilities. The transfer area includes 10.6 acres in which Detroit Lakes will permanently provide electric service to customers within the transfer area. (Docket 25-134)
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Recaps of Commission meetings and hearings
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Dakota Electric Rate Case – On May 6-7 the Administrative Law Judge held in-person and virtual hearing on Dakota Electric Association’s rate case. Dakota Electric has asked the PUC for permission to increase electric utility rates and service charges. The proposed increase in total cooperative annual revenues will be about 11.0% or $23.8 million overall. The actual percent will vary depending on customer class and usage. The PUC is expected to make its decision regarding final rates in late 2025 or early 2026. Public comments are accepted through July 1, 2025.
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Forks to Rost HVTL Project – On May 13-14 the PUC provided information and took public comment on ITC Midwest LLC’s route permit application for the proposed Forks to Rost Transmission Line and Switching Station Project in Jackson County. The project includes construction of approximately 8.5 miles of new 161-kV transmission line beginning at a new Rost Substation and ending at a new Forks Switching Station. Public comment is open until June 6, 2025.
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Solway Solar Project – On May 14-15 the PUC and Department of Commerce held in-person and virtual public meetings and took public comment on Otter Tail Power Company’s site permit application for the construction and operation of the Solway Solar Project, an up to 66 MW photovoltaic solar energy generating facility located in Lammers Township in Beltrami County. (Docket 24-309)
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Laketown Transmission Line Project – On May 21-22, the PUC provided information and took public comment on Great River Energy’s 115-kV high voltage transmission line project in Carver County. The proposed HVTL will begin at an existing GRE-owned 115-kV HVTL and terminate at a proposed substation located within Laketown Township, owned by Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative. (Docket 24-132)
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Summit Lake Solar – On May 21-22 the PUC and Department of Commerce held in-person and virtual public meetings and took public comment on a site permit application for the Summit Lake Solar Project in Nobles County. The project will include a solar energy generating system that is proposed to have an up to 200-MW alternating current capacity and a Battery Energy Storage System that will have an up to 200-MW/ 800-megawatt hour capacity. Public comment is open through June 5, 2025. (Docket 25-88)
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Mankato-Mississippi Transmission Line Project – On May 27-29 the PUC held in-person and virtual public meetings on Xcel Energy’s application for a certificate of need and a route permit for the Mankato – Mississippi River Transmission Line Project. The proposed project is a new approximately 130-mile 345-kV transmission line between the existing Wilmarth Substation in Mankato to the Mississippi River near Kellogg, and a new approximately 20-mile 161-kV transmission line between the existing North Rochester Substation near Pine Island and an existing transmission line northeast of Rochester. Public comment is open through June 10, 2025. (Docket 23-157, 22-532)
Notable new dockets or filings
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DOCKET
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DOCKET OR FILING SUMMARY
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24-95
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Northwestern Farm Management Co., on behalf of a trust that runs a nonprofit farm in Marshall, filed comments opposing Dairyland’s route and stating it would impact 6 residential sites and the farming operations/land values.
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25-219
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Upper Sioux Community filed a mediation statement for a dispute between the Tribe and MN Valley Light & Power Cooperative related to the utility threatening to disconnect service to a casino if the 2.5 MW solar installed was energized. The Tribe states the solar does not deliver to the grid. PUC reissued the Notice of Comment based on feedback from the Tribe that they were not seeking resolution related to a determination about interconnection.
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23-157, 22-532
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Mankato to Mississippi River Route Permit - Xcel filed a request to expand the route width for portions of the proposed Route Option 2 North and 2 South so a new 345kV transmission line can be constructed adjacent to the existing Hampton – North Rochester 345kV in a new right of way rather than double circuiting the existing line and include this in the environmental review. Xcel states the need is because MISO LRTP Tranche 2.1 involves adding a 2nd 345kV circuit to the existing line.
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25-144
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Gas and electric utilities public utilities filed tariff revisions related to landlord of shared-metered residential buildings to comply with 2024 legislation.
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25-39
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CUB/LSAP/ECC filed comments on MERC’s GAP report, recommending accepting MERC’s continued use of its income threshold for determining affordability credits and approve the Company’s auto enrollment proposal.
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20-763
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Byron Solar (EDF Renewables) filed a construction timing update noting 100 MW of the solar project is in the MISO Definitive Planning Phase 3 2020 cycle and an update from MISO is expected in July 2025 on the interconnection agreement execution schedule. Byron does not have a PPA yet for this 100 MW.
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24-198
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Sierra Club, CUB, OAG-RUD, CURE, LPI, Department filed briefs opposed to the MP Allete acquisition. LIUNA, Minnesota Power/Canada Pension/Global Infrastructure Partners (Partners), IUOE Local 49/Carpenters filed briefs in support of the acquisition. Partners also filed a joint proposed findings/recommendations as did “Public Interest Intervenors” (OAG, LPI, CUB, CURE, and Sierra)
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25-26
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Xcel filed a licensee event report for Monticello Nuclear Plant for low pressure coolant injection being inoperable due to motor valve failure due to an incorrect screw for the motor pinion and shaft on June 28, 2024 and in the follow up investigation the plant was found to be running in a condition prohibited by technical specification from Oct 22, 2023 – to Nov. 15, 2023 and Apr. 18, 2024 to June 29, 2024. This plant during this time (including a few days prior to each period) was in a condition that could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function.
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23-215
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CenterPoint filed its first annual NGIA plan report noting no participation in programs, pilots yet and spending of 3-8% of the budget as the Company lays the foundation for implementation of the plan that was approved in October 2024. The Company also discusses: 19% of budget spent with diverse vendors, updates on IRA funding, and proposed plan modifications. CPE expects to propose an RNG pilot with agricultural partners before the next annual report is filed.
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25-145, -161, -163
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Xcel filed an application filing notice, summary of the Certificate of Need filing, Combined application, and attachments. Lyon County Generation Station is two combustion turbines with ~420 MW capacity and associated facilities include 2 short 345kV transmission lines, onsite operation facilities, and 750kW emergency diesel generators. The project proposes to interconnect at the Minnesota Energy Connection Garvin Substation and receive natural gas from a pipeline extension connecting to an existing Northern Border pipeline.
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23-92
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Xcel filed a modification to the 2024-2026 Energy Conservation & Optimization Triennial Plan to increase the budget for Research, Evaluation & Pilots by $6.5m in 2025 and $6.6m in 2026 ($13.1m total) for Product Development to support R&D for the Distributed Capacity Procurement (DCP) initiative required in the IRP. Xcel defines the DCP as a utility-led, centrally planned deployment of flexible DER (e.g. storage). Xcel proposed 400-1000 MW of DCP in the IRP. Xcel describes the DCP as energy optimization that fits within ECO as load management responding to local and regional energy system conditions and reducing peak demand for electricity or natural gas.
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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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