Have you been approved for the Energy Assistance Program? Make sure you’re enrolled in your utility’s affordability program. These programs can offer benefits like a monthly bill cap &potential past-due bill forgiveness.
Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota
@cubmn.bsky.social
The Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota (CUB) is a nonprofit advocate for our state’s utility consumers. We champion affordable, reliable, safe, and clean home energy for all Minnesotans. More at www.cubminnesota.org
‼️Google just made public how much electricity its Pine Island & Hermantown data centers will use. Pine Island: 780 MW Hermantown: 500 MW That combined electricity need is roughly equal to the power use of more than one million households - or half the total number of households in MN.🔌💡
The latest on MN data centers: Pine Island & Hermantown
cubminnesota.org
‼️Google just made public how much electricity its Pine Island & Hermantown data centers will use. Pine Island: 780 MW Hermantown: 500 MW That combined electricity need is roughly equal to the power use of more than one million households - or half the total number of households in MN.🔌💡
The latest on MN data centers: Pine Island & Hermantown
cubminnesota.org
You might've heard about Xcel's proposal to put a pause on base rate hikes for the next two years. Fresh off its 2025 and 2026 rate increases, just finalized this month, Xcel is proposing spending a planned 20-years of tax credits now as a way to stabilize short-term costs.
A new Xcel proposal would pause rate hikes for two years
The utility wants early access to $382 million in federal tax credits to hold rates steady through November 2028. Consumer advocates worry about long-term costs.
startribune.com
Great news! Minnesota has received federal Energy Assistance funds. Funds will begin to flow to approved applicants soon. If you haven't yet, submit your application today. Apply here: mn.gov/commerce/con...
Holding Page / Minnesota.gov
mn.gov
Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota@cubmn.bsky.social · 2w agoEnergy Assistance applications are open. Submit your app ASAP to receive funds once available. EA can provide crisis grants for energy emergencies, such as potential disconnection or a needed propane refill, or a failing heating system. More on CUB’s website: cubminnesota.org/shutoff-help...
CUB's Executive Director Annie Levenson-Falk will be speaking at the PUC's first meeting in its investigation into electric and gas affordability in Minnesota. You can watch here, starting at 9:30am: minnesotapuc.granicus.com/player/event...
External Planning Meeting - 10/13/26 - Commission Investigation on Affordability
Live and Recorded Public meetings of External Planning Meeting - 10/13/26 - Commission Investigation on Affordability for Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
minnesotapuc.granicus.com
Xcel customers: Did you see this notice on your MyAccount portal letting you know about the new time-of-use (TOU) rate? Xcel's TOU rate is an *optional* rate offering that charges different costs per kilowatt hour (kWh) depending on what time of day you're using electricity.
Last month, the Minnesota Public Utility Commission (PUC) formally announced it has opened an investigation to assess the affordability of electric and natural gas utility service in Minnesota. Learn more about the investigation and how to participate: cubminnesota.org/puc-asking-i...
PUC asking for input on energy affordability in Minnesota
On September 23, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) formally announced it has opened an investigation to assess the affordability of electric and natural gas utility service in…
cubminnesota.org
Energy Assistance applications are open. Submit your app ASAP to receive funds once available. EA can provide crisis grants for energy emergencies, such as potential disconnection or a needed propane refill, or a failing heating system. More on CUB’s website: cubminnesota.org/shutoff-help...
The PUC today decided not to reverse its earlier decision to increase Xcel’s authorized return on equity. This past June, the PUC authorized Xcel to increase its electric company return on equity (ROE) from 9.25% to 9.6%, which is a significant factor in the rate increase ultimately approved.
🧵 This Thursday, the PUC will discuss petitions from CUB and the Office of @keithellison.bsky.social to reconsider increasing Xcel’s return on equity (ROE).
If you use electricity to heat your home in the winter, make sure you’re saving as much money as possible. Take a look at CUB’s guide to electric heat in the winter. 🔸 Check for special heating rates. 🔸 Make sure you’re not being charged sales tax. 🔸 Use your heating system efficiently.
Electric Heat in Minnesota
A guide to saving money in the winter
cubminnesota.org
Thank you to Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Tina Smith for urging the federal government to release Energy Assistance funding as quickly as possible. Energy Assistance is a lifeline to more than 100k Minnesota households from every corner of the state. www.smith.senate.gov/u-s-senators...
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar, Tina Smith Push the Trump Administration to Release Heating Assistance Funds Before Winter - Senator Tina Smith
More than 100,000 Minnesota households relied on federal energy assistance last winter WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) and several colleagues are leading a bi...
smith.senate.gov
Congress has approved Energy Assistance funding for the 26-27 season, and Minnesota should receive its allocation later this fall. If you qualify, you can apply now for this essential relief. More about Energy Assistance and other financial assistance options on CUB’s website: buff.ly/xOMUkk3
CUB helped pass nation-leading ratepayer protection legislation in 2025 to make sure Minnesotans aren’t left footing the bill for data centers’ enormous power demand . Now, we’re focused on the implementing those protections at the MN PUC. More about data centers in MN: buff.ly/ibP6Ov7
Data Centers in Minnesota
The expansion of the data center industry is top of mind for Minnesotans across the state. Today’s “hyperscale” data centers require massive amounts of electricity, and that means more power…
cubminnesota.org
“The Attorney General’s Office reached a settlement on Sept. 9 with Minnesota Valley in the civil lawsuit the office originally brought against the cooperative after it discontinued electrical service to a now 70-year-old man in Yellow Medicine County.”
Minnesota Valley, AG Ellison settle disconnection lawsuit
The Montevideo-based electric cooperative agreed to better inform customers of options to avoid disconnection and will forgive the remaining bill of a customer with a medical need for power.
wctrib.com
‼️ REMINDER: Your utilities can get disconnected in the winter if you don’t set up and keep up with a payment plan. Get familiar with the ins-and-outs of the Cold Weather Rule, payment arrangements, and utility shutoff policies on CUB’s website. More here: buff.ly/1DzH9b8
What to know about past-due bills and shutoffs
The end of the Cold Weather Rule is fast approaching, which means certain protections against utility disconnections will no longer be available to residential households. If you or someone you know…
cubminnesota.org
Complaints from Xcel customers related to billing and customer service rose 450% from 2019-2024, and customers report ongoing issues. Share your experience today: bit.ly/your-xcel-st...
CUB's Olivia Carroll is presenting at the PUC this morning about utility conservation programs (ECO), including their benefits to Minnesota consumers. Watch here: minnesotapuc.granicus.com/MediaPlayer....
External Planning Meeting - 2026-09-22 - Review of ECO Triennials
Live and Recorded Public meetings of External Planning Meeting - 2026-09-22 - Review of ECO Triennials for Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
minnesotapuc.granicus.com
We know we’re only halfway through September, but winter has a way of sneaking up on Minnesotans. Take a look at our efficiency tips for the cold months and prepare yourself for your heating bill: cubminnesota.org/efficiency-t...
Efficiency Tips
The cheapest and cleanest energy is the energy you don’t use. Improving the efficiency of your home can pay off multiple times over. Use the tips below to save money year-round.
cubminnesota.org
CUB has reviewed Google's proposed contract for electric service for the Hermantown data center. We are asking for several changes to protect Minnesota Power ratepayers from costs and risks created by the data center. CUB's filing with the PUC here: efiling.web.commerce.state.mn.us/documents/%7...
Security check · eFiling
efiling.web.commerce.state.mn.us
BREAKING: The DC Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down a US Dept. of Energy "emergency" order requiring a Michigan coal plant to remain in operation, siding with ratepayer advocates and others. We'll have more info soon. news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-... 🔌💡
Court Rejects Federal Order Keeping Michigan Coal Plant Open
The Energy Department doesn’t have the authority to use emergency powers under federal law to block the closure of the J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in Michigan, the DC Circuit said Friday.
news.bloomberglaw.com
CUB is working hard to ensure that large data centers in MN don’t increase household energy bills. We just published a page on our website all about data center development. 🔹What protections do Minnesotans have when it comes to data center energy use? 🔹How will protections be implemented? -->
Terry Zeien, an Xcel customer in Lakeville, has had a hangar at Airlake Airport in Lakeville for more than three decades. His electric bill was typically around $40/mo. Starting in May 2025, his monthly bill skyrocketed - some months, higher than $10k. His total balance right now is more than $60k.
FOX 9@fox9mn.bsky.social · 2mo agoA Lakeville airplane hangar owner says his Xcel Energy bill jumped from about $40 a month to upwards of $10,000 in some months, despite no major change in his power usage. His account balance has now topped $61,000, and Xcel says it plans to investigate further.
Set up a free bill consultation with CUB to get answers to any of your energy bill questions! Schedule a time here: cubminnesota.org/energy-bill-...
Energy Bill Consultations
Over the course of 30 minutes, together we'll review your utility bills. We'll ask you questions about your home and habits to better understand how you use energy. We'll identify why you're paying…
cubminnesota.org
Key takeaways from Xcel’s latest earnings report: 🔹 Xcel earned $586 million in the second quarter of 2026, $142 million more than the same period last year 🔹 Earnings per share from Minnesota continue to increase More on Xcel’s earnings report on CUB’s website: cubminnesota.org/xcel-energys...
Xcel Energy’s 2026 second quarter earnings up $142 million compared to 2025
Xcel earned $586 million in the second quarter of 2026—$142 million more than the quarterly earnings reported for same period last year—according to the company’s 2026 second quarter earnings report.
cubminnesota.org
🚨 The Public Utilities Commission has opened an investigation into Xcel Energy following an alarming rise in billing errors and concerns around customer service issues 🚨 -->-->-->
“The company reported more than $2 billion in earnings last year, and in every earnings report we see that those numbers go up,” said Levenson-Falk, the Citizens Utility Board’s executive director. “But ratepayers, on the other hand, are already struggling to afford electricity service.”
MPR News@mprnews.org · 2mo agoMany Minnesotans experienced sticker shock at their latest energy bill, with the cost of energy a leading source of inflation nationally. Hot temperatures, grid upgrades and higher returns are some of the factors behind these high energy costs.
Minnesota ratepayers have rights set by state law. Learn more about your rights and obligations as a utility customer. More about your rights on our website: cubminnesota.org/know-your-ri...
Swing by the ECO Building at the State Fair on August 31 or September 4 to grab your CUB hand fan 😎 AND you can enter your name for a chance to win a brand new air purifier! #MinnesotaStateFair #GreatMinnesotaGetTogether #ecoexperience
