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Will Seuffert departs as PUC Executive Secretary
Will Seuffert, who has served as the Executive Secretary of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission since January 2020, concluded his tenure on July 3. Throughout his time, Seuffert played a pivotal role in overseeing agency operations and navigating the PUC through significant operational shifts and industry transitions.
Commission Chair Katie Sieben shared her thoughts on Seuffert's departure, “Will has been an invaluable asset to the Commission and the public, guiding the Commission through a period of change in Minnesota's regulatory landscape. He successfully led the agency through energy permitting reform, enacted more opportunities for public engagement, guided the Commission through a strategic plan and exceled at staff development. His leadership and dedication have been instrumental, and we wish him all the best in his next endeavor."
Honoring former House Speaker Melissa Hortman
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission deeply mourns the loss of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman. Speaker Hortman was a tireless advocate and champion for clean energy, and her leadership will have a lasting impact for generations.
As the chief author of Minnesota's Solar Energy Standard and Community Solar laws, she was instrumental in making our state a national leader in solar development. Her vision and dedication also helped pass Minnesota’s 2040 Carbon Free Standard, creating countless opportunities for a cleaner, more affordable, and sustainable energy future for Minnesotans.
Commission Chair Katie Sieben shared, "Speaker Hortman's passion for clean energy and her unwavering commitment to a more sustainable Minnesota is inspiring. Her leadership shaped our state's energy landscape for generations and like so many others, I will deeply miss her steady leadership and vision."
New! Commission launches energy permitting website
The Commission’s new energy permitting website is live! This site is your one-stop-shop for project information, permitting application guidance and how to engage and submit comments on energy permitting projects that come before the Commission. Check it out at puc.eip.mn.gov
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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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July 1
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10 AM
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Agenda meeting
- Northern Crescent Solar LLC’s Solar Energy Generating System Site Permit and a Battery Energy Storage System Site Permit in Faribault County (Docket 22-57, 24-238)
- Iron Pine Solar Power, LLC’s Site Permit for the Iron Pine Solar Project and Route Permit for a 230 kV Transmission Line in Pine County (Docket 23-414, 23-415)
- Minnesota Power’s capital structure and authorization to issue securities (Docket 25-138)
- 2025 Biennial Transmission Projects Report - Cost Effectiveness Methodology for Grid Enhancing Technologies (Docket 25-99)
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July 4
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Closed
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Holiday – office closed
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July 10
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10 AM
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Agenda meeting
- Birch Coulee Solar LLC’s Site Permit for the Birch Coulee Solar Project in Renville County (Docket 23-477)
- Plum Creek Wind Farm, LLC Certificate of Need for the Large wind Energy Conversion System and 345 kV transmission line in Cottonwood, Murray, and Redwood counties (Docket 18-699, -700, -701)
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July 15
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10 AM
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Planning meeting – Utility diversity reports
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July 17
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10 AM
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Agenda meeting
- Investigation into implementing changes to the Renewable Energy Standard and the Carbon Free Standard (Docket 23-151)
- Xcel Energy’s 2024 Annual Safety, Reliability, and Service Quality Report (Docket 25-27)
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July 22
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12 PM
6 PM
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Public hearing – Minnesota Power’s 2025-2039 Integrated Resource Plan
12 PM – Eveleth, 6 PM – Duluth
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July 23
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6 PM
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Public hearing – Minnesota Power’s 2025-2039 Integrated Resource Plan (Virtual)
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July 24
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10 AM
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Agenda meeting
- Proactive grid upgrades (Docket 24-378)
- Upper Sioux complaint against Minnesota Valley Light & Power (25-219)
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July 28
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10 AM
5 PM
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Public hearing – Minnesota Power’s 2025-2039 Integrated Resource Plan
10 AM – Little Falls, 5 PM – Cohasset
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July 31
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10 AM
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Agenda meeting
- Service Area Transfer between Kasota (Docket 25-192)
- Xcel Energy’s Minnesota Energy Connection – Reconsiderations (Dockets 22-132, -131)
- Gas & Electric Residential Customer Status Reports (Docket 25-2)
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Commission decisions
June 5
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The Commission revoked Q Link’s Eligible Telecommunications Carrier status and required the Department of Commerce make a compliance filing providing a determination whether restitution dollars are available to Minnesota customers out of the Federal prosecution and whether the FCC or the federal prosecutors have provided notice to Minnesota customers on how to seek restitution. If the Department determines that Minnesota customers haven't been sufficiently informed about restitution and there is a significant pool of restitution dollars still available through the federal prosecution, the Department shall file a plan to assist in notifying Minnesota customers of the possible restitution or provide a description why such notices would not be of any significant benefit to Minnesota customers. (Docket 24-408)
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The Commission approved the Iron Pine Solar project. The proposed project is a 325-megawatt solar facility with an approximately one-mile 230-kilovolt Gen-Tie Line. The project has a tentative in-service date in the fourth quarter of 2027. (Docket 23-414)
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The Commission approved Otter Tail Power’s investments in the Solway and Abercrombie solar projects as eligible resources for future cost recovery. Additionally, the Commission limited cost recovery to the Company’s bid estimates, although the company may request approval to recover costs above the estimates, provided they were the result of factors outside of their control. (Docket 24-404)
June 12
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The Commission named Commissioner Audrey Partridge as Chair of the Consumer Affairs Subcommittee. (Docket 25-16)
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The Commission approved Xcel Energy’s 2024 Electric State Energy Policy Compliance Report and True-up proposal (Docket 24-234)
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The Commission approved Minnesota Energy Resources Corp’s request to update their 2024-2025 Demand Entitlement. (Dockets 24-269 and 24-270)
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The Commission approved of the route permit for Dairyland Power Cooperative's Wabasha Relocation 161-kV Transmission Line Project in Wabasha County. The project involves relocating 10.4 miles of an existing 161-kV transmission line. The line, currently on CapX2020 structures, will be moved to a new, 13.3-mile route. Dairyland anticipates beginning site preparation activities in June 2026, with construction of the substation and transmission line to follow, starting in June 2027. (Docket 23-388)
June 17
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The Commission approved CenterPoint Energy’s request for change in demand units, including changes in Design Day requirements and resources, and changes in interstate pipeline tariff rates with an effective date of November 1, 2024. (Docket 24-146)
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The Commission approved Xcel Energy’s changes in contract demand entitlements, including changes in Design Day resources and demand by customer class, and interstate pipeline tariff rates, with an effective date of November 1, 2024. (Docket 24-271)
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The Commission approved Minnesota Power's multi-dwelling unit electric vehicle charging pilot program. The pilot features an incentive-make-ready model and expands Minnesota Power's existing rebate program to include MDU residents. (Docket 23-258)
June 26
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The Commission approved Otter Tail Power’s 2024 Energy Adjustment Rider True-up report and the amount of $774,941 true-up under-recovery to be collected over twelve months, from September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026. The Commission also required Otter Tail in the next annual filing to provide a discussion on segments that are eligible to utilize MISO’s Auction Revenue Rights and Financial Transmission Rights conversion strategies. Additionally, the Company must provide a cost-benefit analysis for strategies that it considered and implemented to address congestion and curtailment of energy. (Docket 23-181)
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The Commission approved Minnesota Power’s Petition, for its 2024 Annual Fuel and Purchased Energy Charge Rider true-up compliance filing and authorized the Company to collect the approved true-up amount of $3,876,222 in the 12-month period following the approval. The Commission also required in the next annual filing to provide a discussion on segments that are eligible to utilize MISO’s Auction Revenue Rights and Financial Transmission Rights conversion strategies. Additionally, the Company must provide a cost-benefit analysis for strategies that it considered and implemented to address congestion and curtailment of energy. (Docket 23-180)
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The Commission accepted Xcel Energy’s 2024 fuel clause adjustment true-up report, approved an over-recovery refund of $94 million, and approved a nuclear production tax credit refund of $176 million. The Commission required Xcel Energy to provide a narrative, in its next FCA or true-up filing, addressing vendor accountability and cost recovery related to RCP seal issues, including any financial responsibility or legal actions taken. Additionally, the Company must provide detailed information on Auction Revenue Rights and Financial Transmission Rights, as well as strategies used to mitigate energy congestion and curtailment that are evaluated using cost-benefit analysis. (Docket 23-153)
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The Commission accepted Minnesota Power's proposal to provisionally decrease its Affordability Program Surcharge to customers that funds Customer Affordability of Residential Energy (CARE) discount program due to carryover from previous years. The Commission also required Minnesota Power to convene a stakeholder group that will examine a new, higher budget threshold for its CARE budget, determine an appropriate surcharge to support this budget, and consider improvements to its communication and outreach strategies. Also, in its decision, the Commission opened a new investigative docket for all regulated utilities to determine the eligibility requirements for utility affordability programs, considering recent 2025 Minnesota legislation and the potential cuts to or elimination of federal energy assistance funds. (Docket 11-409)
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The Commission ordered to reopen the record on prepaid pension asset for Minnesota Power and Xcel Energy. For Xcel Energy, the Commission also established a process for handling the remand of the decision to use the Governor’s salary as a proxy for ratepayer share of top 10 executive compensation in the Xcel rate case. (Docket 21-335, 21-630)
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Recaps of Commission meetings and hearings
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Bent Tree North Wind Farm – On June 24-25, the PUC and Department of Commerce held in-person and virtual public meetings and took public comment on a site permit application for Wisconsin Power & Light Company’s Bent Tree North Wind Farm. The project will include an up to 153-MW large wind energy conversion system in Freeborn, Harland and Bath townships in Freeborn County. Public comment is open until July 9.
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Crane Energy and Sandhill Energy Storage Systems – On June 25-26, the PUC held public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings and took public comment for the Crane and Sandhill site permit applications to construct and operate up to 200-MW alternating current (AC) battery energy storage systems (BESS) and associated facilities in Olmsted County. Public comment is open until July 10.
Notable new dockets or filings
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DOCKET
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DOCKET OR FILING SUMMARY
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24-400
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Dakota Electric Rate Case – Dakota Electric filed an all-issues settlement agreement with Department and OAG. “The Settlement provides for a revenue deficiency of $20.881 million or 9.62 percent, compared to the $23.812 million or 11 percent increase requested in the Cooperative’s Application… [and] resulting in a reduction to the rate of return on rate base to 5.14 percent.” The fixed monthly charges for 6 of 10 customer classes will increase. Other topics were also addressed. OAH issued a 2nd prehearing order vacating rebuttal, surrebuttal and witness summaries and cancelling the evidentiary hearing. Joint proposed findings and recommendations is due Aug. 13, 2025, and ALJ will prepare final report by Nov. 3, 2025.
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13-1015, 21-718
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Xcel Solar Rewards – Xcel filed annual report to Department noting “The 2024 Solar*Rewards program year allocated roughly $10.8 million dollars for on-site solar projects. These allocations included funding for an additional 1,782 onsite solar projects. With these additions, the Solar*Rewards program has now increased on-site solar to a total of 82 MWac with nearly 9,000 on-site solar systems that have been successfully interconnected since the beginning of the Solar*Rewards program.” Xcel also filed IR responses to the Department investigating discrepancies in the 2023 report.
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25-205, -206
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Lake Charlotte Solar, LLC submitted a joint site permit application for proposed 150 MW solar and an associated 150 MW battery energy storage system with associated facilities in Rutland Township, Martin County.
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25-27
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Xcel Service Quality Service Reliability report – Xcel filed reply on Phase 1 focused on disconnections and air quality/heat event alerts noting “All parties are in alignment on the core rationale for using Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to reconnect previously disconnected customers during extreme heat events and suspend disconnections and reconnect previously disconnected customers during Air Quality Index (AQI) events. Determining the appropriate threshold at which to implement these plans involves weighing the benefits to customers thus protected against costs to all customers…” and noting this could increase customer complaints and should be considered in their Quality Service Plan (QSP) customer complaint threshold change request. Xcel’s filing includes a proposed 16-month implementation timeframe, estimated costs ($360k initial, per event variable of $38k to $163k and no request for determination). OAG filed reply disagreeing with the Department and MDH about denial and recommends other ways to consult the agencies and supports stakeholders’ proposal. CUB/LSAP/Energy Cents filed joint reply and Department filed reply recommending approval with modifications and compliance filings.
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24-352
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Carbon Life-Cycle Analysis for Carbon Free Standard – Partnership for Policy Integrity, CURE, Minnesota Power, Department/MPCA, Clean Energy Orgs, CEEM, Connexus, CMPAS, Minnkota, Xcel, Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy, GRE, Partnership on Waste and Energy, Carbon Solutions Group, American Petroleum Institute, City of Red Wing, Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy, Otter Tail Power, Health Professionals for Healthy Climate, MMPA, MN Forest Industries, MN Forest Resources Council filed comments. Olmsted County filed a report “Evaluating the Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Integrated Solid Waste Management System in Olmsted County (2024).”
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25-219
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Upper Sioux Complaint Against MN Valley Coop. Light and Power – Department filed comments recommending PUC open an investigation and refer for contested case. Wolf River Electric filed comments supporting the complaint and requesting the PUC investigate and proposes expanding scope from utility service/disconnection to include interconnection and supports expedited proceeding. Tribal Energy Alternatives filed comments supporting the Complaint, noting the interconnection is not subject to state or cooperative standards. White Earth Tribal Utility Commission filed comments supporting PUC investigation but cautioning on jurisdiction considerations. Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy filed comments supporting the Complaint and urging PUC to assert jurisdiction, consult the Tribe on preferred next steps, and initiate an investigation; further PUC should affirm fully BTM renewable projects on Tribal lands are not subject to cooperative utility regulation or interference. Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Assn. supporting PUC investigating the Complaint and offering technical assistance to the PUC and coordination with the parties and Commission to find a solution-based process, resolve interconnection issues and provide energy reliability to Upper Sioux Community. MN Valley Coop. Light & Power Assn. filed comments to dismiss the Complaint arguing that: 1) the Commission does not have jurisdiction over the Cooperative, 2) there are no reasonable ground to investigate because the Cooperative has Board Policies regarding interconnection and energy production interconnected to electric service or produced in the Coop’s service territory as well as an all-requirements contract with Basin Electric; 3) no public interest served because statutorily authorized definitions are not met; 4) three agreements between Upper Sioux and MN Valley establish MN State District Court is where lawsuit/action should be brought and sovereign immunity is waived. CURE filed comments in agreement with Department and other commenters supporting the PUC investigate the Complaint.
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25-126
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Lemon Hill Solar, LLC (Lemon Hill Solar) submitted a site permit application to construct and operate a 180-MW alternate current photovoltaic solar energy generating facility and associated infrastructure. The proposed Project will be in Haverhill and Viola Townships in Olmsted County.
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25-255
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Xcel filed an application for a minor alteration of a 115kV line 800 (King Plant Gen-Tie) to rebuild .7-mile double circuit 115-kV line between King plant and MN-WI border at the St. Croix river to carry a 230kV and 115kV line and includes synchronous condenser facilities and minor adjustments to existing 345kV lines (King Transmission Connection Project). This minor alteration is expected to improve system reliability and connect with 17 miles of transmission in Wisconsin to connect hundreds of MW of carbon free generation.
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25-26
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Xcel filed a Licensee Event Report (LER) for Monticello noting on May 12 during a refueling outage an inoperable purge exhaust air operated valve was discovered and potentially unable to close as required in the event of a design basis accident. The valve should have been deactivated during specific conditions but was not. The cause is that the lower bench set pressure was insufficient closing force which an engineer determined in 2009, but no work order was performed to implement the new setpoint. The pressure was raised during the refueling outage and valve operability was restored. Tests in the prior three years determined the Primary Containment Isolation function was maintained during the period of inoperability. A similar condition prohibited by technical specifications for a Primary Containment Isolation Valve in the Reactor Recirculation Sample line was submitted on June 18, 2025 (see next filing). Xcel filed a LER for Monticello noting on April 20 the Inboard Reactor Recirculation Sample Line Isolation Air Operated Valve had been inoperable and potentially unable to close as required in the event of a design basis accident since a refueling outage in 2019 due to an erroneous evaluation of the diagnostic test at the time. The valve was overhauled and diagnostic test correctly evaluated performance and confirmed the required closing function.
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25-214
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Xcel submitted a site permit application for an up to 135.5 MW (542 MWh) BESS on 70 acres in Shakopee – technology has not yet been determined but designed for lithium iron phosphate. “The proposed standalone ESS project would consist of approximately 128 ESS units, 32 medium voltage transformers, and one main power transformer. In addition to battery energy storage units, the Project will consist of inverters and electrical feeder lines, a 115 kilovolt (“kV”) transmission line generation interconnect (“gen-tie”) of less than 500 feet, Project substation, storage, access roads, fencing, and other minor equipment and appurtenant components typical of an ESS project.” Log in for multiple documents.
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25-11
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Electric Utilities filed their annual reports required under Minn. R. 7610. For a full list of annual dockets, visit Annual Dockets / Public Utilities Commission.
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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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