Minnesota Rate Case

Administrative Law Judge Christa Moseng will hold public hearings for customers to comment on our request and will also take customers’ written comments about the rate increase request. You may add verbal comments or written comments, or both, to the record.

You’re invited to comment on the adequacy and quality of our service, the level of rates, or other related matters. You don’t need to be represented by an attorney to provide comments during the public hearings.

Public hearings have been scheduled as follows:

Bemidji, Minnesota
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
Sanford Center, Ballroom 1
1111 Event Center Dr. NE
Bemidji, MN 56601

Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
M State, Legacy Hall
1414 College Way
Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Appleton, Minnesota
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
Appleton Civic Center, Council Chambers
323 W Schlieman Ave
Appleton, MN 56208

Please contact MPUC staff member Jason Bonnett at 651-201-2235 or [email protected] as soon as possible if you need an interpreter or accommodation to attend a public hearing.

A virtual public hearing has been scheduled as follows to be held via video conference: Thursday, June 4, 2026, 6:00 p.m.

To join the virtual public hearing using a computer, tablet, or smartphone, where you’ll have audio and video capability, go to: https://minnesota.webex.com. In the gray box where it says “Enter meeting information,” type in the event number below for the public hearing date you’re attending:

Event number: 2490 612 0916
Event password, if needed: OTP2026

Directions for appearing via WebEx

• Log on 5 to 15 minutes before the hearing begins. You’ll be asked to join the hearing through a WebEx application or through a plugin for your web browser.
• Enter the event number shown above.
• Next, you’ll be asked to enter your name, your email address, and an event password (if required). After entering this information, click “Join now” and you’ll be granted access to the virtual hearing.
• When you enter the hearing, your microphone will be muted. If you’d like to ask a question or make a comment during the meeting, use the chat function to send a message to the meeting moderator, who will place you in the queue to comment. When it’s your turn to comment, your name will be called and your line will be unmuted. You’ll then be able to ask questions or make a comment.

To attend by telephone (audio only)
If you don’t have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone, or if you’d prefer to attend the hearing via audio only, you may join using any type of telephone. Internet access isn’t needed to call into the hearing; please note you’ll only be able to hear (not see) the speakers. You will be able to comment and ask questions.

The information below should be used to dial into the hearing. You’ll be asked to enter the access code for the hearing, as set forth below:

Phone: 1-855-282-6630
Access code: 2490 612 0916
Event password: 6872026 from phones

If you’d like to ask a question or make a comment during the hearing press *3 on your telephone. That will put you into a queue for comment. When it’s your turn to speak, the last few digits of your telephone number will be announced by the moderator, and your line will be unmuted, allowing you to be heard.

Please contact Jason Bonnett at 651-201-2235 or [email protected] if you have questions on how to participate or have trouble accessing the public hearing using telephone or internet.

Our last Minnesota rate review was based on 2021 costs. We’ve worked hard to manage expenses and improve efficiency, but current rates no longer cover the cost of providing reliable service.

If final rates are lower than interim rates, you’ll receive a refund with interest. If final rates are higher, we won’t collect the difference.

Even with this increase, your rates are lower than the Minnesota state average.

Learn more about average rate comparisons

It comes down to a few key areas:

• Infrastructure investments: We’re upgrading and replacing aging equipment—such as poles and cross arms—to support reliable service now and in the future.
• Grid resilience: We’re expanding underground lines and increasing vegetation management to reduce outages from storms and improve reliability.
• Energy transition: We’re moving toward more renewable energy resources for Minnesota customers, including no longer serving Minnesota customers with coal-fired power from Coyote Station by the end of 2031.
• Managing inflation: Since our last rate review, inflation has increased the cost of materials, labor, and equipment. We’re managing these impacts through smart planning and efficient operations, but current rates no longer cover the full cost of providing service.
  

Data centers aren’t driving this request, despite what some national headlines might suggest. It’s about infrastructure investments, making sure our grid is resilient, transitioning to renewable resources, and inflation.