While Minnesotans had reliable power to stay safe and warm during the past stretch of unseasonably cold weather, natural gas prices dramatically spiked over the past week due to national demand issues. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has called a special planning meeting on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 to investigate this matter.  

The Department of Commerce represents Minnesota ratepayers before the PUC on issues of energy resources and will be presenting to the Commission on the economic impacts of these commodity price fluctuations.

Minnesota natural gas local distribution companies (LDC’s) have been called to answer questions about the natural gas prices spike, how this will affect customer bills, the extent customer service was affected, and additional questions to assess economic impact for Minnesotans. The companies invited to present include: Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy, Minnesota Energy Resources, Great Plains Natural Gas and Greater Minnesota Gas 1. 

EVENT DETAILS: 

Public Utilities Commission Special Planning Meeting
February 23, 2021
2:30-4:30 p.m.

Online webcast information available at www.mn.gov/PUC

For Minnesotans having issues with their utility service:  

• Contact Department of Commerce Energy Assistance Program: Call  800-657-3710, and press 1, or visit the Commerce Department’s Energy Assistance Program online, or,
• Contact the PUC Consumer Affairs Office at 651-296-0406, or 1-800-657-3782. Email at consumer.puc@state.mn.us

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Mo Schriner, Director of Communications, Department of Commerce
651-363-1227 |  mo.schriner@state.mn.us 

Will Seuffert, Executive Secretary, Public Utilities Commission
651-201-2217 | will.seuffert@state.mn.us