Minnesota needs to act now to address climate change and to ensure affordability and equity in our energy future. Recent high prices, state legislative action, and extreme weather events show that we urgently need to change our energy trajectory. The stakes are enormous for our climate, health and jobs. If we do not act, Minnesota will miss our climate goals, and risk further burdening people least able to afford high utility costs. The Public Utilities Commission (the Commission) has explicit authority to regulate natural gas, and they have the power to make tremendous changes in our energy future. Engaging with the Commission is one of the most effective ways to influence MInnesota’s energy policy now and in the future.

As Minnesota begins to reimagine the role of natural gas in our homes and buildings, there are critical opportunities to influence public opinion and policy by engaging in upcoming proceedings at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The Commission has already taken action in response to rising and volatile gas prices, and they are currently taking public feedback on the future of gas in Minnesota. We need Minnesotans from all socioeconomic, racial, and cultural backgrounds to engage in this conversation to ensure Minnesota establishes meaningful policy changes that will accelerate a just and equitable transition away from gas and toward cleaner and safer energy solutions

About The Public Utilities Commission

The Public Utilities Commission regulates investor-owned electric and gas utilities in Minnesota. It consists of five commissioners appointed by the governor to six-year staggered terms. The PUC’s mission is to ensure that Minnesota’s utilities provide “safe, adequate, and efficient utility services at fair, reasonable rates” and make sure that its orders are consistent with state energy policies. The PUC aims to balance private and public concerns and to make decisions consistent with the public interest.

Public Utilities Commission Docket/Discussions of The Role of Gas In The Utility Space

In 2021, Minnesota passed a law that requires the PUC to take a big-picture look at how we use gas in our homes and buildings and whether regulatory policy changes are needed in order to help the state meet its climate goals. The PUC’s main way for getting public feedback is through a public process referred to as a “docket.” A docket is the public information on official cases and rulemaking proceedings underway at a state agency or Commission.

The Commission is currently considering holding several policy proceedings on the role of gas in Minnesota’s current and future utility spaces, including:

• Gas utility long-term system planning (Integrated Resource Planning, or IRP) docket (docket 23-117) – The Commission will require the state’s three largest natural gas utilities (Xcel, CenterPoint and MERC) file transparent plans that show how they’ll meet future demand. Through this process, the public will be able to comment on the utilities’ plans and weigh in on whether these plans will achieve our shared goals.

• Natural Gas Innovation Act (NGIA) plans (starting with CenterPoint’s proposed plan, docket 23-215)) – The NGIA allows gas utilities to propose “innovation plans” that will test various resources for decarbonization. Each NGIA plan will be open to comments and feedback to ensure ratepayer dollars are used wisely on the most innovative technologies.

• Future of Gas (docket 21-565), which follows the NGIA planning and looks more broadly at what policy and regulatory changes are needed in the natural gas system to reach the state’s climate goals.

How to Engage on The Gas Issues At The Public Utilities Commission

You can engage by joining the Clean Heat Minnesota coalition, which will guide you step-by-step through how to get involved in policy debates at the Public Utilities Commission and beyond. Through the coalition, we will send timely updates and provide all the resources you need to participate – especially for those who have never engaged before in decision-making processes.