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What we Regulate

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission regulates three cornerstone service industries in Minnesota's economy – electricity, natural gas and telephone. Our mission is to improve the lives of all Minnesotans by ensuring safe, reliable, and sustainable utility services at just and reasonable rates. Our goal is to balance the financial health of utility companies with the protection of consumer interests.

The Regulatory Compact

The PUC operates under a "Regulatory Compact." This is a legal framework established by Minnesota law that creates a partnership between the state and utility providers. The utility's obligation is to provide safe and reliable service to all customers in their territory. In exchange, the PUC allows utilities the opportunity to recover the reasonable costs of their investments (like wind turbines, power lines, and staff) and earn a fair return on those investments. 

These approved costs and investments are what determine the rates you see on your bill. 

Utilities under our oversight

The PUC regulates the rates and service quality of investor-owned utilities and some large cooperatives. 

Electric and natural gas 

The PUC sets the rates and terms of service for eight major investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities and municipal or cooperative utilities whose members have decided to have their rates regulated

  • Electric: Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power, and Dakota Electric Association

  • Natural gas: CenterPoint Energy, Minnesota Energy Resources (MERC), Great Plains Natural Gas, Greater Minnesota Gas, Xcel Energy 

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Telephone and infrastructure 

  • Landline telephone: We regulate service quality and reliability for local landline providers but do not typically set their rates. 

  • Large infrastructure: We review and permit large-scale projects, including transmission lines, power plants, solar/wind farms, and pipelines, ensuring they minimize impacts on humans and the environment. 

We do not regulate 

  • Cell phones: Regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

  • Most cooperatives & municipal utilities: Oversight for most municipal and cooperative utilities belongs to their own elected boards or city councils. 

  • Third-party contractors: We do not regulate private solar installers or land developers, though our Consumer Affairs Office may offer mediation for certain disputes. 

How we make decisions

Commissioners make decisions based on a formal, public record. You can participate in this process by providing public comments or attending hearings. 

Key areas of decision making: 

  • Resource planning: Reviewing long-term plans for how electricity will be generated (e.g., shifting to renewable energy).  Learn more

  • Permitting: Deciding where new infrastructure like wind turbines or pipelines should be located. Learn more

  • Rates & programs: Approving customer programs for electric vehicles, community solar, and bill assistance. Learn more

Additional assistance

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission's Consumer Affairs Office can help Minnesotans find options to help pay your gas and electric bills, and assist consumers with complaints on energy and telecommunications utility services, service quality, billing problems, and service disconnections and reconnections. 

Link to our YouTube video