The Minnesota Reformer reports today on the scrutiny that Xcel Energy is facing over its natural gas rate increase proposals. Here’s the background, from the Reformer: In October, Xcel asked…
This month, Xcel Energy asked state regulators in Colorado to extend the operating life of the coal-fired Comanche Unit 2 for another year. Xcel Energy seems to understand the importance…
As American Experiment’s Bill Glahn reported last week, Xcel Energy is proposing to double its battery storage at the Sherco coal plant in Becker, from 300 MW to 600 MW…
From a company news release issued yesterday, Xcel Energy to build Upper Midwest’s largest battery storage site:600 megawatts at Sherco Energy Hub among a series of planned battery, solar projects…
In Minnesota, regulated monopolies like Xcel Energy have long enjoyed guaranteed service territories and state-approved returns on investment. A piece published by E&E News today outlines the real trouble for…
The Sahan Journal reports about an ordinance under consideration in Minneapolis that would increase fees on utility bills to “finance improvements to boost energy efficiency and decrease emissions.” The Sahan…
Minnesotans already face some of the highest electricity rates in the Midwest, and Xcel Energy is proposing to deploy up to 200 megawatts of battery storage capacity by 2028 in…
Last week, the Department of Energy announced it would invest $625 million in coal production and coal-fired generation activities. The same day, the Department of the Interior announced it would…
Center of the American Experiment’s Bill Glahn reported recently on the public hearings for Xcel Energy’s electricity rate case. The Minnesota PUC is holding hearings through September 25 in locations…
Beginning this evening in Stillwater, the state Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) will hold a series of public hearings on Xcel Energy’s electricity rate increase request. MPR News reports: The public…
Yesterday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission gave Xcel Energy approval to run the Prairie Island nuclear plant through the early 2050s. It’s the right move, but state law currently prohibits…
It’s easier said than done. The tiny city of Slayton, MN, wants to replace Xcel Energy as its electricity provider with a different utility. Walker Orenstein of the Minnesota Star…
Mercifully (so far), one of the few tax increases included in the state budget “deal” involves subjecting to taxation electricity used by data centers. As a direct result, though, the…
It is refreshing to see that the Senate has advanced an energy omnibus bill, SF 2393, which faces some budget realities and energy realities at the same time. The bill…
Capitol Watch is taking a break from all the negativity and polarization in state government to bring you four positive developments we’ve observed in St. Paul. Next week we will…
The state Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) is on the brink of approving two massive new electric transmission line projects. Next week (April 10) the Commission will meet to take up…
On Tuesday, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leopold addressed the Senate Capital Investment Committee, seeking state funding for renovations to the Xcel Energy Center. The project…
Xcel Energy proposed to issue a $318 million rebate to Minnesota customers in a press release on Monday. More than half of the refund ($176 million) will come from federal…
On Friday, February 28, the state Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will take up the proposal by Amazon for 600 MW of diesel backup generators to serve their massive, planned data…
The “good” news is that the state’s largest electric utility, Xcel Energy, will be meeting Minnesota’s mandate for 100% “carbon-free” electricity five years early. The better news for consumers is…
Residents of St. Croix County across the river from the Alan S. King power plant in Oak Park Heights turned out in force at a town hall Monday to oppose…
Xcel’s plan to shut down the venerable Alan S. King coal-fired power plant in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota exposes one of green energy’s dirty little secrets. Namely, the hugely disproportionate…
The Minnesota Star Tribune headline sums it up: Xcel said a nearly $8M land sale was a good deal for ratepayers. The buyer flipped the land to Amazon for $73M.…
For months now, we’ve been beating the drum, warning of the potential negative impacts in Minnesota of the current boom in data centers, large computer server farms supporting AI and…