FIGHT UTILITY RATE INCREASES

Everyone should have access to affordable and diverse sources of electricity.

Yet two of Minnesota’s largest electricity providers want to raise their rates for residential customers—Xcel Energy by 21% and Minnesota Power by 18%. This would increase utility bills by an average of $140-$240 per year.

If approved by the Public Utilities Commission, these rate hikes would be a blow to lower-income communities. Already, 1 in 8 Xcel customers are behind on their bills.

With our current energy system, utility companies have monopolies. This lets them assert control over the market and prioritize the needs of their investors over their customers.

As people of faith and conscience, we need to fight these utility rate increases. This is not only about unreasonable and unfair rates. It’s a climate justice issue with energy equity at its core.

Join the fight for energy democracy and say NO to utility rate increases!

Kristel, Analyah, and some of the Youth 'N Power team after door-knocking in Minneapolis.

Utility Service Areas

Xcel Energy is in the red areas; Minnesota Power in the blue. Click to enlarge.

View a map of services areas for all Minnesota utility providers

Current Status

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is charged with reviewing utility requests.

Xcel Energy

The PUC's public commenting period closed on January 6, 2023.

Minnesota Power

The PUC is hearing oral arguments on January 18, 2023, and will be deliberating on this case on January 23. We expect a written decision sometime in mid-February.

Follow the Cases

Use the PUC's eDockets system to view documents filed in the cases. Minnesota Power's docket number is 21-335; Xcel Energy's is 21-630. Click here to subscribe and receive email notifications of any new document filings. These include public comments!

Questions?

  • Xcel Energy rate case and the energy democracy campaign overall—Joshua Lewis, [email protected]
  • Minnesota Power rate case and energy equity issues specific to northeastern Minnesota—Bret Pence, [email protected]

Resources

General

Read about our campaign in Camden News! - Green Zones can fight back against energy rate increases

Minnesota Power

Read the public comment on Minnesota Power's case that MNIPL, along with our partners Vote Solar, Honor the Earth, and Sierra Club, filed with the PUC on August 29, 2022.

Read a press release issued by MNIPL and other environmental groups opposing Minnesota Power's rate hike.

Get highlights of 11 issues with Minnesota Power's case. Many of these also apply to Xcel Energy!

Watch the recording of the August 2, 2022, community connector webinar about energy equity and the proposed rate hikes.

From MCEA: