Xcel Energy’s decision to shut down coal-fired power plants means higher energy costs for Minnesotans

(St. Paul, MN) – Isaac Orr, Policy Fellow at Center of the American Experiment, released the following statement in response to Xcel Energy’s plans to close two more coal-fired power plants by 2030.

“Xcel Energy’s announcement that they will close their final coal-fired power plants years before the end of their useful lifetimes is bad news for Minnesota families and businesses who have seen their electricity bills continually increase since the state began to mandate ever-increasing quantities of renewable energy.

 

“Xcel Energy consistently boasts that their customer’s bills are 22% below the national average, but they don’t tell you that’s because Xcel customers use 41% less electricity than households nationwide according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The company’s decision to close low-cost coal plants in favor of expensive and unreliable wind and solar will to put more upward pressure on electricity consumers.”

Isaac Orr is a policy fellow at Center of the American Experiment, where he writes about energy and environmental issues, including mining and electricity policy. Prior to joining Center of the America Experiment, Isaac served as a research fellow at The Heartland Institute, where he specialized in energy and environmental policy. Isaac has written extensively on hydraulic fracturing, frac sand mining and electricity policy, among other energy and environmental issues. His writings have appeared in The Wall Street Journal,USA Today, the New York Post, The Hill, Orange County Register, The Washington Times, and many other publications.

Center of the American Experiment is “Minnesota’s Think Tank.” For more than 25 years, the Center has been the most impactful and effective public policy organization in Minnesota, leading the way in creating and advocating policies that make Minnesota a freer, more prosperous and better-governed state. The Center is a civic and educational 501(c)(3) organization.