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Natural Gas Innovation Act (NGIA)

The Natural Gas Innovation Act (NGIA) establishes a framework to allow natural gas utilities to meet Minnesota’s greenhouse gas reduction and renewable energy goals through innovative resources. Innovative resources may include biogas, renewable natural gas, power-to-hydrogen, power-to-ammonia, carbon capture, strategic electrification, district energy and energy efficiency.

The NGIA was passed and then signed into law as 216B.2427 NATURAL GAS UTILITY INNOVATION PLANS

Why it matters

 
Link to our news release concerning the NGIA


The NGIA and its innovation plans enable gas utilities to begin testing methods to reduce their emissions, and in some cases, transfer their business away from natural gas entirely. The results of approved pilots will lay the groundwork for future decarbonization efforts in the state and help gas utilities achieve the state’s goal of economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050. 

Process and timeline

Once a Utility files an Innovation Plan, here’s what usually happens next (actual comment deadlines are listed in the Notice of Comment Period issued by the Commission for each innovation plan):

  • Completion: Anyone can provide a comment on any part of a utility’s innovation plan. 

  • Initial comments: Comments on the merits of the innovation plan, often due four months after the filing. 

  • Reply comments: Responses to comments submitted during the initial comment period, usually due two months after initial comments are received. 

  • Supplemental comments: Responses to comments submitted during the reply comment period, usually due one month after reply comments are received. 

  • Briefing papers: Before the agenda meeting, PUC staff issues briefing papers summarizing the innovation plan and significant issues raised during the comment periods. The Commissioners then review the record to work towards a decision on the innovation plan. 

  • Hearing: After briefing papers are filed, the Commission hears the matter and makes a decision on the innovation plan. If the Commission approves an innovation plan, the utility begins work on the approved pilots. 

  • Annual reports: Utilities file updates on their plan, including the status of each pilot, the costs, and their progress toward achieving plan objectives, for Commission review. The Commission reviews any spending at this time, as well as any time the utility asks to recover its costs. When reviewing a utility’s annual update, the Commission can approve the continuation of a pilot program with or without modifications, require the utility to file a new or modified pilot program or plan, or disapprove the continuation of a pilot program or plan. 

Which Utilities have filed innovation plans?

CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy have filed innovation plans. CenterPoint Energy’s innovation plan was approved by the Commission in July of 2024. Xcel Energy’s Innovation Plan is still in the commenting phase, but is anticipated to be heard by the Commission in February of 2025. 

Xcel Energy - Docket No. 23-518

CenterPoint Energy - Docket No. 23-215

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Utility company information about NGIA

Additional ways to get involved

 
 
 
 

The Commission will always accept written Comments through any reasonable mode of communication. Comments may be submitted by: 

  • Email to consumer.puc@state.mn.us.  

  • A written form is available. Email as an attachment or mail in. Please reference the docket number.

  • Mail your comments to:
    Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
    121 7th Place East, Suite 350,
    Saint Paul, MN 55101. 

  • Online form

  • Fax: 651-297-7073

  • EFile comments directly by creating your own account in eDockets. You must register and create an account in order to submit comments directly to the docket.

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