CenterPoint rate case
CenterPoint Energy has asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to approve a natural gas rate increase of $84.6 million, or 6.5%, for 2024 and $51.8 million, or 3.7%, for 2025. This would mean an extra $5.91 per month for residential customers in 2024 and an additional $2.58 per month in 2025.
Interim rates
As part of a rate-case review, utilities are entitled under Minnesota law to recover a portion of their proposed costs through interim rates while the PUC conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the full rate request. CenterPoint requested interim rate increases for 2024 and 2025.
The Commission approved a $68.7 million interim rate, or 5.3%, in 2023 which took effect on Jan. 1, 2024. As part of the company’s overall rate increase request, CenterPoint also sought a second interim rate increase for 2025. The Commission approved a $33.2 million increase, or 2.4% percent which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025. The two combined interim rate increase is $101.9 million or 7.7%.
Interim rates result in adjustments to monthly energy bills for residential and business customers. Importantly, these rates are subject to refund with interest if the final approved rates are lower than the interim levels.
Natural gas customers pay three types of charges:
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Basic service charge
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Delivery charge
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Cost of gas
The proposed increase would change the basic service and delivery charges. The cost of gas itself is based on how much customers use and the current price of fuel.
The reasons identified by the utility for this proposed rate increase include:
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Rising costs for operating, maintaining, and distributing gas.
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Increased value of the facilities and investments used to serve customers.
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Higher returns for investors, and higher costs of borrowing money.
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Ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and the environmental impact of the gas system
Important procedural deadlines
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Public hearings - October and November 2024
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All testimony due - December 10, 2024
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Evidentiary hearings - December 18-20, 2024
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Public comment period closes - December 20, 2024
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Administrative law judge’s report due - April 4, 2025
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Commission order deadline - July 1, 2025
CenterPoint rate case calendar of events
What to expect at a public meeting
The Commission’s public process gives stakeholders a chance to review utilities’ plans and helps ensure decisions are built on feedback and analysis from citizens, utilities, state agencies, clean energy organizations, labor unions, consumer advocates, and more. Public meetings are one of those opportunities to learn more and make a comment.
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Public meeting – There will be a short presentation about the plan and then an administrative law judge will take your verbal comments. All comments and names of commenters are part of the public record.
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Making a verbal comment – There will be a sign-up for those that want to make an oral comment at the meeting. Commenters will be called to speak based on the order they sign up. We advise signing up by the time the meeting starts. The judge may open up to additional comments if there is time
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There will be translation services for comments submitted in several languages, including Somali, Hmong, and Spanish.
Additional ways to get involved
If you cannot make the meeting, but still want to comment, there are multiple ways to reach the Commission.
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Email to consumer.puc@state.mn.us.
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Mail your comments to:
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
121 7th Place East, Suite 350,
Saint Paul, MN 55101. -
Online form
When commenting on CenterPoint's rate case, reference docket number 23-173. Visit the comment page on the Commission’s website to learn more.