St. Paul, Minnesota — The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will hold virtual public hearings on March 3, 2022, regarding increased natural gas costs and bill impacts caused by wholesale gas price spikes during an arctic storm in February 2021. The public is invited to these hearings to provide comments and ask questions about the natural gas price spike and its impacts. 

To attend the virtual public hearings (using WebEx) on March 3, 2022, please connect by going to https://minnesota.webex.com/. Use the following Event Codes to access the meeting: 1pm Hearing Code #2498 923 7063 and 6pm Hearing Code # 2493 269 8672), or participate by telephone by calling 1-855-282-6330. 

During the arctic storm, called Winter Storm Uri, Minnesotans had reliable power to keep their lights on and homes warm, but the price of natural gas jumped significantly between February 12 and February 17, 2021. 

Immediately following the storm, the PUC ordered an investigation into whether the utilities’ decisions regarding the increased natural gas prices were prudent and reasonable. (Feb. 24, 2021 Press Release: State of Minnesota Opens Formal Investigation on Recent Natural Gas Price Spike) The state’s on-going investigation is focusing on four large natural gas utilities regulated by the Commission: CenterPoint Energy, Xcel Energy, Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation (MERC), and Great Plains Natural Gas Co. 

The PUC approved, on an interim basis, limited recovery for these utility costs. The recovery began impacting customers in September 2021. As part of this investigation, the PUC will review testimony from other state agencies and other participants, including the Department of Commerce, the Office of the Attorney General, among others. Prior to making a final decision about the utilities’ requests to recover costs, the Commission will also consider public testimony provided at the March 3 public hearings, as well as public comments received since the investigation began. 

Since recovery is ongoing, if the PUC disallows any of the utility’s proposed recovery costs, then the utility will reduce future recoveries or refund customers the difference. 

HOW THE PUBLIC CAN GET INVOLVED 

The public is encouraged to attend these hearings and provide comments and input on the utilities’ proposals to recover costs associated with this weather event. Consumers unable to attend the public hearings can still submit written comments. 

• Learn more about the PUC process and how to get involved at: https://mn.gov/puc/get-involved/ 

• Watch this video on how to get involved on the PUC’s YouTube channel: How To Get Involved 

• To learn how to submit comments, visit: https://mn.gov/puc/consumers/public-comments/

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 Tricia DeBleeckere, 651-201-2254 or tricia.debleeckere@state.mn.us if you have any questions. 

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