St. Paul, Minnesota – A series of public hearings have been scheduled for next week in four Minnesota cities concerning a request by Minnesota Power (a division of Allete, Inc.) to increase electric rates for both residential and business customers.  The meetings are an opportunity to hear comments from the public about the request and are scheduled to be held in the cities of Eveleth, Duluth, Grand Rapids, and Little Falls. 

 The proposed increase to electric rates is approximately $38.8 million, or about 6.1 percent overall, although the percentage increase may differ among separate customer classes.  Minnesota Power filed its request to increase rates for electric service in Minnesota with the Commission on November 2, 2016.

The locations and times of the public hearings are as follows: 

The public hearings will be conducted by Administrative Law Judge James R. Mortenson of the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings.  Information about the proposed rate increase will be provided by Minnesota Power, the Minnesota Department of Commerce-Division of Energy Resources, the Minnesota Office of the Attorney General-Residential Utilities and Antitrust Division, and other parties to this proceeding. 

Members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend the public hearings.  Comments on Minnesota Power’s request for a rate increase are welcome. If someone cannot attend one of the hearings, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”) welcomes the public to submit written comments on the matter.  You can submit comments to the Commission through SpeakUp! on the Commission web site at https://minnesotapuc.granicusideas.com/ , or you can send comments to consumer.puc@state.mn.us via email.  Please reference the docket number [16-664] when submitting written comments. 

For additional information on this rate case or to review the filings made in this proceeding, case go to the e-dockets web page at: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling/edockets/searchDocuments.do?method=showeDockets Search&searchType=new&userType=public or contact the Commission at 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782 for assistance. 

Minnesota Power’s request is assigned Docket Number E-015/GR-16-664 by the Commission, and Docket No. 5-2500-34078 by the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings.