We requested a Minnesota rate increase

We filed a request with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to increase electric rates for our Minnesota customers. This request initiates an 18- to 24-month review process during which the PUC evaluates our costs for providing electric service and then sets rates in a manner the PUC deems reasonable for both our company providing the service and our customers who depend on it. 

“Our customers, employees, friends, and neighbors see the costs of goods and services going up all around us, and we know that’s not easy,” said President Tim Rogelstad. “We’ve taken a hard look at our operations to manage expenses and improve efficiency before asking our customers to pay more. This request reflects what’s necessary to continue delivering the dependable service our communities count on.”

As part of the state regulatory process, we requested PUC permission to increase rates on an interim basis beginning January 1, 2026. If the PUC approves this request, the overall interim bill increase of approximately 12.6% remains in place until the PUC completes its highly structured review designed to balance public interest, utility viability, and legal rigor. During this 18- to 24-month interim period, a typical residential customer’s bill would increase approximately $13.15 a month; a typical business customer’s bill would increase approximately $43.67 a month. Each customer’s interim increase will be different based on the rates they’re on and how much energy they use.

We anticipate the PUC will make its final rate decision in the first quarter of 2027; final rates likely will not impact customers’ bills until the second or third quarter of 2027. 

If the PUC approves our final rate request as filed, the net increase over what customers pay today would be approximately $44.8 million, or 17.7%. A typical residential customer’s bill would increase approximately $18.14 a month; a typical business customer’s bill would increase approximately $73.20 a month. As with interim rates, each customer’s final increase will be different based on the rates they’re on and how much energy they use. If final rates are lower than interim rates, customers will receive refunds with interest. If final rates are higher, we won’t collect the difference.

What customers see in return for this rate increase
According to Rogelstad, while inflation is one of the primary drivers behind this request, customers benefit from infrastructure investments that support immediate and long-term reliability; grid resilience efforts that reduce, and potentially prevent, service disruptions; and the transition to renewable resources.

1. Infrastructure investments. To support immediate and long-term reliability, our company is investing in the infrastructure that moves electricity to homes and businesses. For example, we're extending the life of aging infrastructure by replacing cross arms, poles, and insulators that have been in place for 50+ years, as well as adding new infrastructure.
2. Grid resilience. Grid resilience efforts include expanding underground lines, now covering 28% of our distribution system, to reduce exposure to storms and improve reliability. We're also increasing vegetation management near power lines to prevent service disruptions.
3. Energy transition. We're transitioning to a larger percentage of renewable energy generation resources for Minnesota customers. These zero-fuel-cost resources, along with tax credits, have helped ease the transition. Our company is including in this request the costs associated with no longer serving Minnesota customers with power from our co-owned, coal-fired Coyote Station in North Dakota by the end of 2031. 
4. Inflation. Our last Minnesota rate review was based on the cost of doing business in 2021. Since then, inflation has increased the cost of materials, and the labor and equipment needed to build and maintain the electric grid. According to Rogelstad, our company is managing these impacts through smart planning and efficient operations, but the cost of providing service is more than we can recover through current rates.

“We understand rising electric costs are challenging for our customers,” said Rogelstad. “We also take very seriously our wholehearted commitment, and our regulatory obligation, to reliably serve those customers. This request is not being driven by data centers, despite what some national headlines might suggest. We would not ask for this rate increase if it didn’t reflect the real costs of maintaining and strengthening our electric system.”

According to Rogelstad, even with this increase our customers will keep paying less for the energy they need to power their homes and businesses than they would almost anywhere else in the region. “While this is an impressive statement, we aren’t competing against our neighbor’s rates. We’re competing against our own,” said Rogelstad. “Our ability to keep our rates among the lowest in the region demonstrates our tradition of working hard for the economic viability of our customers and communities, and we’ll keep that tradition going.”

What customers can expect next
Customers will receive information with their electric service statements in January showing the approved interim rate increase, the requested overall rate increase, and example monthly bill impacts for various customer types.

Rate information and updates will be available at otpco.com/MNRateCase.

How customers can access support 
Our company offers payment plans, budget billing, and energy efficiency programs to help customers manage electric bills. We encourage customers to visit otpco.com or call 800-257-4044 for more information and assistance.