Take action on Xcel Energy’s gas rate case!

Calling Xcel Gas customers: We need your help!

Xcel Energy is back at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) seeking to raise gas rates for the third time in six years. If Xcel’s request is approved as is, the typical residential customer’s bill would increase by nearly $85 a year.

What’s all tucked into Xcel’s request to increase rates? Xcel wants to:

• Increase its return on equity
• Charge customers more than $700,000 to pay its highest paid executives
• Continue building unnecessary gas infrastructure to boost its corporate profits.

If Xcel gets its way, customers will pay more to cover the cost of capital and a guaranteed return for shareholders, even as Minnesotans use less gas — submit a formal comment by May 19.

Want more details? Check out our blog, “Six things to know about the Xcel gas rate case” here. [link forthcoming].

But what makes a compelling formal comment?

• Share why Xcel Energy’s gas rate increase matters to you.
• Be specific.
• Be yourself!
• Propose an outcome or an alternative.

What are a few elements you could ask the Commission to consider?

1. Keep rates as low as possible.
2. Put mechanisms in place to limit corporate and shareholder profit, including executive pay and a lower than the 10.65% “return on equity” than Xcel Energy is asking for.
3. Scrutinize any of Xcel’s proposed investments to expand the gas system to ensure gas customers don’t get stuck with the bill.
4. Make Xcel explore and implement clean energy alternatives to natural gas and renew its commitment to reduced carbon emissions by 2030.

Note: Any information you include in your comment, such as your name and city, will become part of the public record.