After much anticipation, Xcel Energy submitted its petition for approval (PDF) of the company’s proposed community solar gardens program on September 30th. The program would give utility customers a new way to engage in solar generation without having to invest onsite. A solar garden is a “facility that generates electricity by means of a ground-mounted
Minnesota
Minnesota Supreme Court Affirms Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s Interpretation and Application of State Law and Distinguishes Bluefield
By Andrew Moratzka on
Posted in Regulation
On November 2, 2009, just one day after the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s (the “Commission’s”) final order in Minnesota Power’s 2008 rate case, Minnesota Power filed its largest petition ever to increase electric rates. As part of its petition, and consistent with Minnesota law, Minnesota Power sought to impose interim rates – the rates Minnesota…
Xcel Plans 600 Megawatts of New Wind Power
By Thomas Braun on
Posted in Wind
Xcel Energy, the nation’s leading wind power utility, announced yesterday that it will add three large wind farms to its wind energy portfolio. The 600 megawatt increase is the utility’s single largest increase in its Upper Midwest service area.
The 33 percent increase will augment Xcel’s existing 1,800 megawatts of wind capacity and allow it…
Administrative Law Judge Recommends 4.7 Percent Increase for Xcel Energy’s Minnesota Customers
By Andrew Moratzka on
Posted in Nuclear, Regulation
On July 8, 2013, Xcel Energy Inc., submitted a filing with the SEC detailing an Administrative Law Judge’s decision in a pending electric rate case in Minnesota and calculating the decision’s impact on one of its subsidiaries. In November 2012, Northern States Power Company (NSP), a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc., petitioned the Minnesota…
Xcel Recommends “No Action” on Two of Minnesota’s Largest Coal-Fired Units
By Andrew Moratzka on
Posted in Regulation
Last November, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved Xcel Energy’s 2011-2025 Integrated Resource Plan and established various compliance filing requirements and deadlines. Pursuant to that November 2012 Order, the Commission directed Xcel to conduct a Life Cycle Management Study (“LCM Study”) examining the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of continuing to operate, retrofitting, or retiring Sherburne County…
Governor Dayton Signs Bill Creating Solar Energy Standard
By Thomas Braun on
Posted in Community Solar, Solar
Yesterday, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed the Omnibus Energy Bill into law. After months of negotiations, state legislators came to an agreement that brings Minnesota to the forefront of solar power following the creation of a solar energy standard, community solar garden program, and a unique value of solar tariff. Key provisions of the new…
Update: Minnesota Senate Passes Energy Omnibus Bill
By Thomas Braun on
Posted in Solar
Today the Minnesota Senate passed its omnibus energy bill by a vote of 37-26. This follows the Minnesota House of Representatives’ passage of its version of the bill on Tuesday. The bills now move to a conference committee for consolidation. After the conference committee completes its work, the consolidated bill will then return to each…
Update: Minnesota House Passes Aggressive Solar Standard
By Thomas Braun on
Posted in Renewable
On May 7th, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed its omnibus energy bill by a vote of 70-63. The bill includes a provision that requires investor-owned utilities to obtain 4 percent of their power from solar by 2025, with a goal of reaching 10 percent by 2030. In contrast to the aggressive House bill, the…
Minnesota Set to Boost In-State Solar Industry
By Thomas Braun on
The Minnesota State Legislature is considering a bold move to assist Minnesota’s fledgling solar industry. A new provision in the House transportation omnibus bill requires that any solar array installed on a building, highway, road, bridge, or land owned or controlled by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, must consist entirely of panels manufactured in Minnesota. …
Community Solar Projects Coming to Minnesota
By Thomas Braun on
Posted in Community Solar, Solar
At a time when the Minnesota Legislature is considering a proposal that would create a solar electricity standard, community solar projects are gaining popularity. Six weeks from now, Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association will begin construction on Minnesota’s first community solar program, with the goal of having the project completed by Memorial Day.
A community …