Dakota Electric Association rate case
Dakota Electric Association submitted its application to increase its rates to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. Dakota Electric is seeking to increase rates by approximately $23.8 million, or 11%. The average monthly bill for a residential member will increase by $13.16.
Dakota Electric previously submitted a rate increase request in 2019. Dakota Electric is the only cooperative in Minnesota that submits its rate increase requests to the PUC for review.
Interim rates
On December 30, 2024, Dakota Electric Association (Dakota Electric) filed a request to increase rates for electricity service in Minnesota that included a proposed customer notice for interim rates.
In its February 18, 2025 Order, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) ordered Dakota Electric to include, with each customer’s first bill under the interim rate schedule and as approved by the Commission’s Executive Secretary, a notice of the rate change. Also, the Commission’s Order delegated authority to its Executive Secretary to approve notices for the duration of the proceedings in this matter.
Dakota Electric worked with Commission staff in the revision of this notice to develop a final customer notice for interim rates. Dakota Electric’s revised customer notice for interim rates, as attached, is approved and may be used as customer bill inserts.
Electric customers pay four types of charges:
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Monthly service charge
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Energy charge
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Fuel Charge
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Taxes
The reasons identified by the utility for this proposed rate increase include:
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Increasing costs and inflationary pressures across all areas of operation
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Continued modernization of electric system
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Low growth in electric sales
Important procedural deadlines
We will post important dates and deadlines when they are available.
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Public hearings - TBD
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All testimony due - TBD
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Evidentiary hearings - TBD
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Public comment period closes - TBD
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Administrative law judge’s report due - TBD
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Commission order deadline - Dec. 2025
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
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Video comments - Please limit you video to three minutes. If there is more you would like to say, or if you would like to submit your script, you can submit a written comment here.
When commenting on Dakota Electric's rate case, reference docket number 24-400. Visit the comment page on the Commission’s website to learn more.
