St. Paul, Minnesota — The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) on Thursday approved proposals that will allow natural gas customers using Gas Affordability Programs to lower the income threshold for Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation’s (MERC) consumers. The approvals will also increase the amount of assistance Gas Affordability Program customers may receive.

“Making these Gas Affordability Program changes helps ensure low-income Minnesotan’s can afford their natural gas bills while also cutting down any balances they may owe. This also helps ensure customers maintain their gas service all year long and are not going into debt while they are making payments,” said Commissioner Valerie Means. 

When the Commission sets a utility’s rates, one factor that it must is consider is a consumer’s ability to pay. Additionally, the Commission can establish programs to ensure affordable, reliable, and continuous service for low-income natural gas customers. The Commission has used this authority to require rate regulated natural gas utilities to offer Gas Affordability Programs to qualified residential customers. Gas Affordability Programs are designed to lower the percentage of income that low-income households spend on energy bills and reduce accumulated balances. 

About 

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission regulates three cornerstone service industries in Minnesota's economy; electricity, natural gas and telephone. The Commission’s mission is to create and maintain a regulatory environment that ensures safe, adequate and efficient utility services at fair, reasonable rates consistent with State telecommunications and energy policies. It does so by providing independent, consistent, professional and comprehensive oversight and regulation of utility service providers. Learn more at mn.gov/puc Please contact Will Seuffert, 651-201-2217 or will.seuffert@state.mn.us if you have any questions. 

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