Understanding Your Bill
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission makes sure utility services are safe and work well, and that the rates are fair, reasonable, and follow state rules.
In Minnesota, laws say that utilities should be allowed to recover reasonable costs that they spend to provide services. This includes paying for things like poles, wires, power plants, and the employees needed to provide services, while making a reasonable return on what they invest. The PUC reviews these costs to ensure they are prudent and fair.
Some customers might have more complicated bills because they have many meters or voluntary programs like solar metering, community solar gardens, special electricity needs, or electric vehicle charging.
Your Bill Includes Three Types of Charges
Fixed charge: a set amount billed to each meter each month
Energy charge: an amount that changes based on how much energy you use
Surcharges: taxes, fuel adjustments, riders, etc. Surcharges may be based on actual consumption or your demand level.
Sample Residential Monthly Bills
What is the PUC Doing Right Now?
Keeping energy affordable is part of the Commission's mission. Whenever possible, the Commission takes actions to lessen the impact of energy costs and bills for ratepayers. While the Commission works to keep rates as low as possible, rates usually increase over time. This is because the cost of providing energy continues to increase. Costs to provide energy include: increased prices for fuel like natural gas and the need to build more infrastructure to serve customers.
The Commission and the Department of Commerce have programs that help homeowners and renters lower their utility bills. Agencies have also taken steps through programs, policies, and decisions that lessen the burden of energy costs for Minnesotans. These steps include limiting interim rate increases and prohibiting utilities from recovering some of the extraordinary costs from Winter Storm Uri in February 2021.
