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Dispelling misinformation on wind, solar amid utility rate hikes
(Minnesota News Connection) - Minnesota is seeing a flurry of utility rate hikes either being considered or taking effect.
Those who support renewable energy warn there's some misleading information in the public sphere about what is behind the activity.
Xcel Energy has a pending rate hike before state regulators. If approved, it would boost electricity rates by 21% over three years. Minnesota Power also proposes a substantial increase.
Some policy groups opposed to renewable energy have launched campaigns suggesting the plans are solely caused by wind and solar projects.
Isabel Ricker, senior manager for clean electricity at Fresh Energy, countered it does not tell the whole story, noting there is aging infrastructure to be updated.
"The fundamentals of our electricity system; the poles, the wires, some of the larger equipment at substations," Ricker outlined.
Xcel Energy acknowledged upgrades would help the utility better transition to clean energy. And Fresh Energy contended a more modern system would make it easier for Minnesota to rely on such sources, also arguing they are still a less-expensive investment than traditional power plants.
Both utilities won approval for smaller, interim hikes late last year.
Annie Levenson-Falk, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Minnesota, pointed out while her group is fighting some rate hikes, utilities do see the need for investments in energy sources more economically viable in the long run.
"The sooner that utilities can move off of that old power generation, the more money that they are actually going to save for their customers," Levenson-Falk asserted.
Investment banking firm Lazard said wind and solar costs have declined by at least 70% over the past decade. As for rate hikes, CUB noted other factors, such as demand changes during COVID affecting utility revenue.
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By Chris Pugh(Minnesota News Connection) - Minnesota is seeing a flurry of utility rate hikes either being considered or taking effect.
Those who support renewable energy warn there's some misleading information in the public sphere about what is behind the activity.
Xcel Energy has a pending rate hike before state regulators. If approved, it would boost electricity rates by 21% over three years. Minnesota Power also proposes a substantial increase.
Some policy groups opposed to renewable energy have launched campaigns suggesting the plans are solely caused by wind and solar projects.
Isabel Ricker, senior manager for clean electricity at Fresh Energy, countered it does not tell the whole story, noting there is aging infrastructure to be updated.
"The fundamentals of our electricity system; the poles, the wires, some of the larger equipment at substations," Ricker outlined.
Xcel Energy acknowledged upgrades would help the utility better transition to clean energy. And Fresh Energy contended a more modern system would make it easier for Minnesota to rely on such sources, also arguing they are still a less-expensive investment than traditional power plants.
Both utilities won approval for smaller, interim hikes late last year.
Annie Levenson-Falk, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Minnesota, pointed out while her group is fighting some rate hikes, utilities do see the need for investments in energy sources more economically viable in the long run.
"The sooner that utilities can move off of that old power generation, the more money that they are actually going to save for their customers," Levenson-Falk asserted.
Investment banking firm Lazard said wind and solar costs have declined by at least 70% over the past decade. As for rate hikes, CUB noted other factors, such as demand changes during COVID affecting utility revenue.
---
Ways you can help support the show
Chase Bank - where you can get a $200 bonus by opening an account and doing a direct deposit. Open an account today at https://accounts.chase.com/consumer/raf/online/rafoffers?key=1934238931&src=N.
Ashley Furniture - Save money on your furniture with this coupon. https://www.ashleyfurniture.com/?extole_share_channel=SHARE_LINK&extole_shareable_code=viewfromthepugh5&extole_zone_name=friend_landing_experience
Donate to the show - Through CashApp at $ChrisPugh3.
Sign up for CashApp - Using the code ZFZWZGF. We will both get $5. https://cash.app/app/ZFZWZGF
Get your next project done for $5 through Fiverr - https://fiverraffiliates.com/affiliatev2/#:~:text=https%3A//fvrr.co/3K9Ugiq
Share us with your friends