When Fresh Energy was founded in 1992, Minnesota generated almost two-thirds of its electricity from coal. Looking forward to today, coal is now only 39 percent of the state’s electricity generation and 19 of the 23 large coal-burning units in Minnesota have been announced for retirement. Learn more about our progress.
Xcel Energy
Location, location, location (on the grid)
A brand new mapping tool will make connecting energy projects to the grid easier. Here’s how it works.
Time-of-use electricity pricing: good for the grid and consumers
Xcel Energy is currently developing a time-of-use pricing pilot program, and Fresh Energy will be actively involved in working with Xcel, policymakers, and other stakeholders to optimize the design of the pilot.
Opportunity for energy savings kept intact by Xcel Energy rate case
This week, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unanimously ruled in favor of energy efficiency in Xcel Energy’s rate case by keeping the monthly customer charge flat moving forward. Fresh Energy partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy to intervene as Clean Energy Organizations in the case.
Missed opportunity for clean energy as gas plant bill moves forward
Today, Governor Dayton signed a bill into law that allows Xcel Energy to build a natural gas plant in Becker, Minnesota. Though Fresh Energy believes that the bill is a missed opportunity to pursue even greater investments in local clean energy sources like wind, solar, and energy efficiency, we are hopeful that Xcel will bring plans for the proposed plant to the Public Utilities Commission for careful review.
How the historic decision to transform Xcel Energy’s electricity was made
Working directly with Xcel and with our “Clean Energy Organizations”, or CEO, partnership, Fresh Energy used for the first time in Minnesota the same utility inputs and modeling Xcel uses. We analyzed options for closing the Sherco 1 and 2 coal plants and replacing them with vast amounts of cost-effective energy efficiency, wind, and solar power. Our independent analysis demonstrated that Xcel’s cheapest course of action—and the lowest in carbon—was the retirement and replacement of these two units, which are the biggest sources of global warming pollution in the Upper Midwest. Xcel agreed with our analysis, and completely revised its 15-year plan to reflect those economic opportunities. Fresh Energy applauds the unanimous Minnesota Public Utilities Commission decision to modify and approve Xcel’s 15-year Resource Plan as the affordable, reliable, and clean path forward for Minnesota customers.