PUC Newsletter - October 2025

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission sent this bulletin at 10/06/2025 12:40 PM CDT

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NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 2025

Sasha Bergman appointed as PUC Executive Secretary

In early September, Sasha Bergman was appointed as the Commission’s Executive Secretary and Chief of Staff. With nearly 20 years of state and local government experience, Sasha brings proven leadership and dedication to public service. She will play a critical role in guiding the Commission’s staff and supporting our mission to ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable utility services for Minnesotans.

PUC Chair Katie Sieben shared: “Sasha Bergman's experience in state government will strengthen the Public Utilities Commission. Our staff is among the best, and Sasha's proven leadership will enhance the Commission's capacity and effectiveness.” Read more about Sasha’s appointment on our website.

PUC files first Interconnection Ombudsperson Annual Report

On October 1, the Commission’s Interconnection Ombudsperson filed the first annual report to docket 25-66. The report details the number, type, resolution timeline, and outcomes of interconnection-related complaints from October 2024 through September 2025. Complaint filings have grown significantly since 2017, reaching 127 so far in 2025. The Ombudsperson serves in the Commission’s Consumer Affairs Office, which investigates and responds to consumer complaints on energy utility and telecom services. The report recommends a reduction in the interconnection surcharge that funds the ombudsperson position, from $50 per application to $30.

Cold Weather Rule in effect

Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule went into effect on October 1 and lasts through April 30. The rule is designed to protect residential utility customers from having their heat shut off during the coldest months of the year. While the rule doesn’t mean service will never be disconnected, it requires utilities to work with customers to set up payment plans that are reasonable based on household income and circumstances. If you or someone you know is struggling to keep up with energy bills, contact your utility as soon as possible to discuss options and avoid disconnection. For more information about the Cold Weather Rule and how to apply for energy assistance, visit our website.

Explore Minnesota’s Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) Dashboard

As of December 31, 2024, Minnesota had 28,920 distributed energy resource systems totaling nearly 1.69 GW (ac) of nameplate capacity. You can explore this data on our website, which provides a downloadable Excel file with annual DER data by utility, city, and ZIP code. The dashboard also features interactive charts and maps showing statewide DER trends. You can filter results by unit, DER type, utility, or customer type to see how distributed energy is growing across Minnesota.

Commission calendar and upcoming events

The information below is subject to change. Current information available online at PUC calendar.

Oct. 1	11 AM 6 PM	Public hearing: Big Stone South to Alexandria Transmission Line Project – draft EIS 11 AM – Hancock 6 PM – Benson
Oct. 2	11 AM 6 PM	Public hearing: Route permit for Big Stone South to Alexandria Transmission Line Project – draft EIS 11 AM – Ortonville 6 PM – Virtual
Oct. 3	9 AM	Agenda meeting: Petition of Minnesota Power for Acquisition of ALLETE by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Global Infrastructure Partners (Docket 24-198, 24-383)
Oct. 3	10 AM	Stakeholder meeting: Proactive Distribution Upgrade Workgroup
Oct. 9	10 AM	Agenda Meeting: Greater Minnesota Gas, Inc. for authority to increase rates for natural gas utility service in Minnesota (Docket 24-350, 24-351)
Oct. 14	10 AM	Planning Meeting: Utility diversity reports & transmission colocation
Oct 16		No Agenda Meeting
Oct. 22	6 PM	Public Hearing: Site Permit for Castle Rock Solar (Farmington)
Oct 23	6 PM	Public Hearing: Site Permit for Castle Rock Solar (Virtual)
Oct. 23	10 AM	Agenda Meeting Commission investigation into self-commitment and self-scheduling of large baseload generation facilities (Docket 19-704) Minnesota Power 2024 depreciation and deferred accounting (Docket 24-324, 24-437) Great Plains Natural Gas 2025 Gas Utility Infrastructure (GUIC) and revised adjustment factors (Docket 25-200) Great Plains Natural Gas annual depreciation study (Docket 25-243)
Oct. 28	6 PM	Public Hearing: Site permit for North Star Battery Energy Storage System (Stacy)
Oct. 29	6 PM	Public Hearing: Site permit for North Star Battery Energy Storage System (Virtual)
Oct. 30	10 AM	Agenda Meeting Minnesota Power Certificate of Need for the Maple River to Cuyuna 345 kV Transmission Line Project – Exemption and Notice Plan (Docket 25-109) Minnesota Power Certificate of Need for the Iron Range to St. Louis County to Arrowhead 345 kV Transmission Line Project– Exemption and Notice Plan (Docket 25-111) Xcel Energy Certificate of Need for the Bison to Alexandria Second Circuit 345 kV HVTL Project – Exemption and Notice Plan (Docket 25-116) Xcel, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power annual fuel forecast (Docket 25-63, 25-64, 25-65)

Commission decisions

September 4

The Commission approved a site permit for Otter Tail Power Company to construct the 66 MW Solway Solar Project. Construction is expected to start in October and reach operation by December 31, 2026. (Docket 24-309)
The Commission approved a draft site permit for the Bent Tree Wind North large wind energy conversion system (LWECS). A draft site permit does not authorize a person to construct an LWECS. The Commission has the authority to amend the draft site permit in any way before its final issuance, or to deny it. The next steps will be public hearings in November 2025 and a Commission final determination on the site permit in March 2026. (Docket 24-349)
The Commission ordered that the ALJ Report on the proposed Great River Energy - Laketown 115-kV Transmission Line in Carver County be adopted as modified to reflect that noticing requirements were met, required additional record development, and remanded back to the Court of Administrative Hearings for further proceedings. (Docket 24-132)
The Commission accepted Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency’s (SMMPA) 2025-2039 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). Additionally, the Commission approved the Department of Commerce’s recommendations to accept SMMPA’s forecast and capacity expansion modeling and require SMMPA to explore technological advancements in energy storage and grid flexibility in future IRPs. The Commission established a December 1, 2027, date for SMMPA to file its next IRP. (Docket 24-356)
Commissioners denied Hennepin County's recon request related to the FERC 1 mile rule, clarifying that the June 2025 Order did not adopt or take any action related to the “one-mile rule” for purposes of determining net-metering eligibility. (Docket 24-389)
The Commission agreed to sign onto comments to FERC opposing a complaint by North Dakota and several other states about MISO’s cost allocation for a portfolio of planned transmission lines known as “Tranche 2.1”. Those comments were jointly developed by the Commission, Illinois Commerce Commission, Michigan Public Service Commission, and Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. The Commission also filed comments jointly with the Department of Commerce summarizing the same arguments. The Tranche 2.1 is a portfolio of transmission lines planned by MISO through a years-long stakeholder process and approved by MISO’s Board of Directors in December 2024. (MN Docket 25-21, FERC Docket 25-109)

September 11

The Commission approved Dairyland Power Cooperative’s application for a route permit for a 161 kV Transmission Line in Fillmore County. In making its decision on the 3.5-mile transmission line, the PUC required Dairyland to work with impacted landowners to mitigate impacts. Project construction is expected to begin as early as the first quarter of 2026, with an estimated in-service date at the end of the third quarter of 2027. (Docket 24-95)
The Commission rejected Great River Energy’s request for a one-year extension until April 1, 2027, to file its next Integrated Resource Plan. The Commission maintained the April 1, 2026, filing date established in GRE’s last IRP process. (Docket 22-75)
The Commission determined Xcel’s denial of the Chan Lab’s data request was found to be inconsistent with the Commission’s Open Data Access Standards, which were created to standardize the release of customer energy use data to select third parties. Accordingly, the Commission directed Xcel to provide the requested data to the Chan Lab. Xcel Energy was ordered to meet with several stakeholders, including the Department of Commerce, the Citizen’s Utility Board, the Chan Lab, and the Environmental Justice Accountability Board to develop rate and program design recommendations based on the resulting study’s findings. (Docket 24-115)

September 18

The Commission approved the Natural Gas Utilities' reports for program year 2024 on the Gas Affordability Programs (GAP), a low-income affordability program. Minnesota Energy Resources must begin automatically enrolling LIHEAP-qualified customers in GAP. Also, Great Plains Natural Gas must propose a GAP automatic enrollment plan. (Docket 25-36)
The Commission certified the list of Eligible Telecommunications Carrier and provided the Universal Service Administration Service with a list of carriers that should be certified in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission. (Docket 25-8)
The Commission heard Minnesota Energy Resource Corporation’s (MERC) petition for review of 2025 depreciation rates. The Commission approved MERC’s filing. (Docket 25-249)
The Commission accepted the site permit application for the proposed Lemon Hill Solar Project, marking the first step in a comprehensive, multi-stage review process to determine if the project can be permitted in Minnesota. In its decision, the Commission directed the company to provide additional information on several critical areas as the project moves through environmental and permitting review. (Docket 25-126)
The Commission approved Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation’s 2024 Revenue Decoupling Mechanism adjustment and evaluation report. (Docket 25-52)

September 25/October 3

On the September 25 and October 3, the Commissioner heard from parties, deliberated and approved the acquisition of ALLETE, Inc., the company that operates Minnesota Power. As part of the acquisition, the Commission ordered a comprehensive set of conditions – including more than $200 million in quantifiable savings, protections and benefits. (Docket 24-198) News release.

Recaps of Commission meetings and hearings

Planning meeting/special meeting

Planning meeting: On September 16 the Commission heard from stakeholders on updating Minnesota’s 3x5 wind access buffers. Click here to watch the recording
MISO Quarterly Meeting: Representatives from MISO presented a quarterly update to the Commission on September 12. There was one maximum-generation emergency on June 23 due to high demand, low wind, and high generator outages. However, that was fewer energy emergencies than every other grid operator in the Eastern Interconnect. Severe storms on June 20 damaged major transmission lines belonging to Otter Tail Power, Minnesota Power, and others. Energy prices in MISO were 56% higher than last summer driven by higher gas prices and, to a lesser extent, by higher average load and congestion. The congestion, which was higher than last summer, was caused by higher demand, increased solar generation, and more generator forced outages.

Project meetings

Xcel Energy rate case: From September 15 – 25 the PUC held public hearings and took comment on Xcel Energy’s request to increase electric rates over a two-year period beginning Jan. 1, 2025. Public comment is open through December 30, 2025. (Docket 24-320)
Big Stone South to Alexandria 345- kV Transmission Project: On September 30 – October 2, the PUC held public hearings and took comment on the proposed 91- to 113-mile 345 kV double-circuit capable transmission line that will go from the Minnesota-South Dakota border to the existing Alexandria Substation. Public comment is open through October 20, 2025. (Docket 23-160)
Lake Charlotte Solar: On September 2, the PUC held public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings and took public comment on the joint site permit application of Lake Charlotte Solar, LLC. The proposed project, located in Martin County, is to construct and operate an up to 150 MW alternating current solar energy facility and an associated 150 MWac/600-megawatt hour battery energy storage system. (Docket 25-206. 25-205)
Appleton to Benson 115-Kilovolt Transmission Project: On September 3-4, the PUC held public hearings and took comment on the proposed 29 miles of new 115-kV high voltage transmission line by Great River Energy, Otter Tail Power Company, Western Municipal Power Agency, Agralite Electric Cooperative, and the City of Benson. The project consists of 2 proposed route segments. (Docket 24-264)
Boswell Solar: On September 10-11, the PUC held public hearings and took comment on Minnesota Power’s application for a site and route permit for its proposed 85 MW Boswell Solar Project and associated 2.45-mile 230 kV transmission line to be in parts of the city of Cohasset, Leech Lake Band of the Ojibwe Reservation, and Deer Lake Township in Itasca County. (Docket 24-425, 24-426)
Blue Lake Battery Energy Storage: On September 10-11, the PUC held public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings and took public comment on Xcel Energy’s 135.5 MW battery energy storage system in Scott County. (Docket 25-214)

Notable new dockets or filings

Docket	Docket or filing summary
20-436	Xcel notes a data center (Legacy 1001 Minneapolis Venture, LLC) signed an ESA that went into effect Sept 8 to take service under the Business Incentive and Sustainability Rider. Xcel states this load was included in the 2025 energy sales forecast (Docket No. 25-4).
25-369	Upper Sioux requests PUC reassign the service territory surrounding Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort from MN Valley Coop. Light & Power Assn to Xcel Energy under Minn. Stat. §§ 216B.39, subd. 3; 216B.42. Prior to any public hearing, the community requests a tribal consultation to discuss process and timing of the requested service change.
14-916, 15-137	Enbridge filed the last status update on the Landowner Choice Program noting of the 939 eligible tracts - 89% signed to decommission in place, 8% signed removal request and 3% committed removal. Undecided landowners were opted into deactivated in place and received a check for $10 per lineal foot (same as those who selected decommission in place). Removal timeframe will be sent to those who selected in the next 6-8 weeks. Final restoration activities were completed August 2025 – “Enbridge has removed all construction debris, the area is revegetated, drainage restored, and the condition of the disturbed workspace blends with the adjacent undisturbed lands to the extent possible”
21-565	Gas Regulatory and Policy for State GHG Goals: IBEW State Council filed comments supporting safety and reliability requirements with a flexible system that can adapt and relieve pressure on the grid during peak demand by supporting a natural gas distribution system for offramp during peak use of electric system and argues the Department did not provide analysis on affordability. IUOE Local 49 supports existing gas line extension policies; as does MN Multi Housing Assn, MN Pipe Trades Assn, Biofuels/Corn Growers/ MN Farm Bureau, MN Grocers Assn, Housing First, MERC, CenterPoint and GPNG. MN State Agencies (Department, MHFA, MPCA) want to eliminate subsidies by existing customers for new gas line extensions; as does Minneapolis, MHFA, Department, RMI and Fresh Energy/MCEA. Whereas, Energy Cents Coalition, CEE, LIUNA and Xcel supports joint decision options filed by Xcel, CEE, LIUNA to establish max distances for free footage allowances, new/amended ECO programs including heat pump installs, and exploring dual fuel approaches. CUB, OAG continues to recommend allowing utilities to offer gas line extensions based on certain assumptions.
22-132, -131	Xcel filed updated project cost estimates for the MN Energy Connection Project – noting the updated estimate is an increase of $88 million over Xcel’s preferred route due to “increases in domestically-sourced material costs due to Federal tariffs, additional route length and complexity, and real estate acquisition” for a total estimate of $1.367 billion.
08-133	CI on Utility Performance Incentives for Energy Conservation: Xcel, CenterPoint, MERC, Otter Tail Power, Joint Commenters (CEE, FE, Dept) replied. CenterPoint notes the Joint Proposal introduces the “first multi-factor shared savings financial incentive mechanism in Minnesota” and the Company is neutral rather than supportive due to major barriers in the near term, and supports Xcel’s proposed changes to remove the cap on individual components of the FIM but retain the overall net benefits cap of 5% and requiring utilities meet min. earning thresholds in both first-year energy savings metric and low-income spending metric to earn the incentive. CPE also supports MERC’s recommendation to broaden the definition of air sealing and insulation to include efficient fuel switching (EFS) programs. MERC supports Xcel’s recommendations, the proposed alternative offered by the Joint Parties to Metric 2 using utility-specific 2027-2029 average insulation and air sealing program potential values from 2018 MN potential study and continues to support the EFS inclusion. OTP supports the three additional recommendations made by Xcel and Minnesota Power (addition of a demand savings component, allowing EFS to have its own separate spending cap, and to remove the circular reference in the calculation of the incentive and cost-benefit ratios). Joint Commenters updated their proposal based on initial comments.
22-75	GRE filed a Notice of Changed Circumstance noting “GRE’s board of directors has approved an energy storage agreement for the 140 MW Emmons-Logan Energy Storage project under development by NextEra Energy Resources. The Project will be located in Emmons County in North Dakota and is anticipated to be commercially operational in early 2027. Emmons-Logan Storage will utilize the MISO surplus interconnection.
24-67	Xcel filed an update on the projects that applied for MISO Expedited Resource Addition Study noting a petition in October for approval of the projects by February 2026. Projects include Nobles Energy Storage (300 MW), Sherco South Energy Storage (300 MW), Sandhill Energy Storage (200 MW), Benton II Solar (100 MW) + Benton Energy Storage (300 MW), and Cannon Falls Energy Center (45-70 MW incremental capacity). The Company states the expedited timeframe is due to MISO ERAS process timeline and expiring federal tax incentives.
23-212	Xcel filed a petition requesting approval of agreements for projects approved by the PUC: Invenergy-Cannon Falls (existing 2-CC turbines totaling 357 MW), Onward-Mankato Energy Center (existing 375 MW CC, separate 12 MW BESS), and DESRI-North Star Energy (new, 100 MW BESS at existing solar site).
20-850	Minnesota Power provided 7th status updates on the transition from inverted block rates to a transitional flat rate and new Time of Day (TOD) rates. For TOD enrollments, MP has 46 opt-outs and 18-785 customers currently active in TOD rate. MP notes “The analysis showed the TOD rate was overall revenue neutral, with the average customer experiencing an annual decrease of about $0.52. Differences in behavioral responses between income-qualified and non-income qualified customers led to different bill impact outcomes between the two groups. Income-qualified customers saw bill increases of nearly $7 per year while non- income qualified participants saw bills decrease by approximately $2 per year.” MP is working on solutions for TOD and DER/CSG rates.
19-367	CenterPoint filed quarterly reporting on Gas Affordability Program noting an average of 16,157 customers participating over the first eight months of 2025 compared to 8,612 in 2024 – an increase of nearly 87%.
25-279	Legal Services Advocacy Project submitted comments requesting: 1) PUC find AT&T Network Co and Lumen request to transfer by Lumen $5.27B in MN assets to AT&T Network Co requires PUC approval; 2) request to grant approval by Nov 14, 2025; and 3) if PUC approves asset transfer, condition such approval on ensuring that regulated customers of Lumen are protected from service degradation or disconnection. OAG filed comments arguing the transaction require PUC approval and PUC must review to determine whether it is in public interest. OAG recommends denying the transaction. Department agrees with OAG noting “approval under Minn. Stat. § 237.23 is required because the transaction involves some facilities used in the provision of regulated telephone service.” Comm. Workers of America-District 7 filed comments noting the union has settled with Lumen and AT&T and now supports PUC approval of the transaction. Lumen replied and stated the transaction does not involve transfer of regulated service or change control in regulated service provider so the Commission should determine approval is not necessary, but even if PUC decides otherwise, the transaction is in the public interest. The filing outlines public interest benefits: preserves regulated service, places Lumen in a stronger financial position, enables further fiber broadband deployment, increases technician time for copper network, continue to meet legal obligation to serve customers, staff call centers consistent with customer demand, take measures to ensure it meets obligations, and addresses the recently enacted statute is not applicable and if Lumen went that route it would be a separate proceeding, and opposes a contested case because the Department has not identified contested material facts only raised questions/alternatives without evidence and an unwarranted delay would reduce benefits.

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.

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
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(651) 296-0406 | (800) 657-3782
consumer.puc@state.mn.us