COVID. Minnesota Asked Utilities for Economic Recovery Help. Things Get Weird Fast.

What happened? In the spring of 2020, Minnesota utility regulators asked state electric and gas utilities to pitch investments that could help jump-start the state’s economy.

The response: multibillion dollar plans.

Then other state agencies caught wind: The state Attorney General’s Office and Department of Commerce support economic recovery but non utility regulators have more experience with statewide economic recovery.

The biggest dispute: who should pay for the recovery.

Ask the commerce people and they say ratepayers shouldn’t bear all costs; the company should pay 50 percent. Shareholders should not be exempt from sharing a portion of the burden of rate relief.

Star Tribune via Governing | Minnesota Asked Utilities for Economic Help; Now Isn’t Sure