Let the Public Utilities Commission know you oppose Xcel Energy’s massive price hike!

Xcel Energy is proposing a massive 20 percent price hike on its electricity customers in Minnesota to finance its own version of the Green New Deal. Unfortunately, the left-leaning Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is likely to rubber-stamp Xcel’s spending spree at a time when Minnesota families are already struggling under record inflation.

We need as many people as possible to make their voices heard by the PUC with this important message: Minnesotans do not support this hike in electricity prices to finance unreliable and expensive wind turbines and solar panels by clicking here to sign our petition.

The petition reads:

Dear members of the Public Utilities Commission,

I am writing today to voice my extreme displeasure with Xcel Energy’s proposal to increase electricity prices by over 20 percent in just three years as part of Docket No. 21-630. I am writing to urge you to vote against any increase resulting from the construction and operation of unreliable, non-dispatchable wind and solar facilities.

Xcel Energy’s proposed rate increase is unjust and unreasonable because it is forcing Minnesota families—instead of Xcel Energy shareholders—to pay an additional $220 per year when inflation is at a 40-year high to pay for more wind turbines and solar panels.

The Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator (MISO) only expects wind turbines to produce 17 percent of their potential output when power is needed most, and it currently expects solar to be available for 50 percent of its potential production, with this capacity accreditation expected to fall to 30 percent as more solar is added to the regional grid.

It is entirely unjust and unreasonable for Minnesota families and businesses to foot the whole bill for assets that are only expected to be available 17 percent and 50 percent of the time when we need the power most.

The PUC should only allow Xcel Energy to recover the expenses proportionate to the accredited capacity given to an asset by MISO. In this case, Xcel Energy would get to recover 17 percent of its costs from wind turbines and 50 percent of its costs on solar panels, with the company’s shareholders footing the bill for the rest of these expenses involved with building and operating these unreliable assets.

I also strongly oppose Xcel Energy’s proposed Time of Use rate, which will increase the cost of electricity for families during periods of high electricity demand or during periods of low wind and solar output.

Higher prices should absolutely not act as a mechanism to dissuade electricity use by low-income families to shore up an electric grid that does not have enough dispatchable power plants to meet peak load due to a desire to implement renewable-only policies with demand response.

The PUC is supposed to protect ratepayers from rising prices. We strongly encourage you to do this job by not allowing Xcel to bill Minnesotans for unreliable energy sources.