iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will allow Xcel Energy to charge customers $34 million more per year for profits and said efforts to stop them were "cynical," "outrageous," and "ridiculous." Xcel raked in $2.2B in profits last year while disconnecting more people than ever. Appalling.

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 29/09/2026

The claim says Williams didn’t threaten or resist agents on Jan. 7 but was held down, slammed into the ground and choked. During the drive to Whipple Federal Building, Williams says agents laughed about Renee Good’s killing earlier that morning and said, “hopefully we don’t have to kill you, too.”

mprnews.org

Roosevelt High teacher files federal claim over violent detention by agents

Roosevelt High School teacher Quentin Williams has filed a claim against the federal government alleging agents violently detained him, falsely accused him of assault and violated his civil rights.

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Mayor Her's letter to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission explains how "the frequency, duration, and variety of billing errors the City has encountered go well beyond isolated, one-off mistakes" and urges a third-party probe of Xcel efiling.web.commerce.state.mn.us/documents/%7...

Based on this experience, the City respectfully urges the Commission to require an independent, third-party investigation into Xcel Energy's billing practices. As detailed in the reports and filings already in this
docket, and as summarized below, the frequency, duration, and variety of billing errors the City has encountered go well beyond isolated, one-off mistakes. They point to systemic problems in Xcel's billing
systems and processes that Xcel has not resolved on its own and that, in the City's view, cannot be fully understood or corrected without independent review.

During the past two years, City of Saint Paul staff have needed to directly contact their Xcel accountmanager or the Business Solution Center hundreds of times seeking explanations or resolutions on billing-related issues. For some accounts, there are examples of communications back-and-forth with Xcel over aperiod of six or more months.

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The City of Saint Paul and other local govs want Xcel Energy investigated over chronic issues including overbilling, underbilling, and erroneous disconnection notices. Saint Paul staff have had to call Xcel hundreds of times over the past two years, the mayor says. www.twincities.com/2026/09/29/s...

twincities.com

St. Paul, Roseville seek investigation as Xcel Energy billing issues rise

In response to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s recent call for public comment, complaints have been filed with state regulators this month by the city of St. Paul, All Energy Solar of St. ...

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Frederick Melo, Reporter (TwinCities.com, Pioneer Press) @frederickmelo.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

City of Roseville, City of St. Paul, Osseo Area Schools, White Bear Lakes Schools, Minneapolis BOMA and many others to Xcel Energy: Your billing is out of control. “One month we received five invoices in three days for the same streetlight account..." www.twincities.com/2026/09/29/s...

twincities.com

St. Paul, Roseville seek investigation as Xcel Energy billing issues rise

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daviss @daviss.org · 24/09/2026

Alex Pretti was shot and killed 8 months ago today after being disarmed by federal agents. The agents then spent the next few hours denying the BCA and MPD access to the scene while shooting at protesters. No one has been held responsible in the killing. chaddavis.photography/sets/ice-in-...

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

It appears the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will double down on a controversial decision allowing Xcel Energy to charge customers more for profit despite challenges from Attorney General Keith Ellison, the Department of Commerce, Citizens Utility Board, and more kstp.com/money-matter...

kstp.com

Effort to save Xcel Energy customers millions of dollars could fall short

An effort to lower an Xcel Energy rate increase and save customers millions may fall short as Minnesota utility regulators weigh whether to revisit a decision facing broad public opposition.

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5 Eyewitness News @kstptv.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

An effort to lower an Xcel Energy rate increase and save customers millions may fall short as Minnesota utility regulators weigh whether to revisit a decision facing broad public opposition.

kstp.com

Effort to save Xcel Energy customers millions of dollars could fall short

An effort to lower an Xcel Energy rate increase and save customers millions may fall short as Minnesota utility regulators weigh whether to revisit a decision facing broad public opposition.

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Reposted by Karlee Weinmann

taylr @taylordahlin.com · 21/09/2026

seward cafe is one of the best spots in minneapolis, i love their breakfast tacos. they've been there for decades but are having financial trouble ahead of taxes and other bills coming due next month. they were even closed over the weekend and are asking for support on a ko-fi ko-fi.com/sewardcafe

ko-fi.com

Buy Seward Cafe a Coffee

Become a supporter of Seward Cafe today!

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Fieldnotes @fieldnotes.co · 18/09/2026

NEW: Oil & gas corporations have been working hand-in-glove with the Trump admin to gut methane regs. Check out our investigation—based on internal comms that were never meant to be public, FOIA records, and more—to learn how industry has been maneuvering behind the scenes.

fieldnotes.co

‘And Not Much More’: Inside the Oil & Gas Industry’s Campaign Against…

Fieldnotes is a watchdog group that investigates the oil and gas industry.

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

There are many reasons why utility bills are going up but the most frustrating one is that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is fighting all three of the state's top consumer advocates to allow Xcel Energy to charge customers more for profits www.fox9.com/video/fmc-fe...

fox9.com

Xcel rate hike challenged as electric bills rise

UMN energy policy professor Gabe Chan joins us to break down Xcel Energy’s approved rate increases, why consumer advocates are challenging the decision and what Minnesota customers can do to manage ri...

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Your electric bill is going up for lots of reasons but the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is facing huge backlash for one in particular: their recent decision enabling Xcel Energy to charge customers more for shareholder profits youtube.com/shorts/9J7FW...

youtube.com

Minnesota AG challenges Xcel Energy electric rate increase

YouTube video by Sahan Journal

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

CenterPoint Energy just notified the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission that it charged customers an extra fee on card payments *663,452 times* after it agreed to stop. That's ~$1.3 million overpaid. No one at the utility noticed for almost a year? efiling.web.commerce.state.mn.us/documents/%7...

Prior to implementation of this settlement provision, the third-party vendor collected from customers
both the payment amount and the $1.95 service fee. Beginning September 1, 2025, when final rates
became effective, the third-party vendor was expected to collect the customer payment and bill
CenterPoint Energy directly for the $1.95 service fee.
On August 14, 2026, the Commission’s Consumer Affairs Office received a customer complaint
regarding the continued assessment of the service fee. Following review, the Company determined
that the third-party vendor had not implemented the billing charge as intended on September 1, 2025.
Upon identifying the issue, CenterPoint Energy promptly contacted the vendor and directed it to
discontinue charging the service fee to customers. The vendor completed that change on September
7, 2026.
The total number of card transactions charged to customers between September 1, 2025, and
September 7, 2026, was 663,452. Although the Company does not believe this matter constitutes a
utility billing error, customers incurred fees that CenterPoint Energy had agreed to waive under the
Settlement. Accordingly, the Company will provide affected current customers with a bill credit for the amount of the service fee charged, plus applicable interest, consistent with the remedial approach
set forth in Minnesota Administrative Rules Section 7820.4000, subpart 2. In addition, any affected
former customer who is owed more than $2 will be mailed, to the customer’s last known address, a
refund check or given notice explaining how to request a refund of the service fee, plus applicable
interest.

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

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Norm Charlatan @normcharlatan.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

This is ethnic cleansing.

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Unless the Public Utilities Commission reverses its decision allowing Xcel to charge customers more for shareholder profits, there's a real risk other Minnesota utilities will expect the same result when they ask to raise rates sahanjournal.com/climate-envi...

sahanjournal.com

Minnesota Attorney General, consumer advocates challenge Xcel Energy rate increase

Minnesota’s Attorney General and consumer advocates are asking regulators to reconsider an Xcel Energy rate increase that will affect electric bills.

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

This is wild! If you want to add your experience to the record for the PUC’s investigation, the Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota created a handy submission form: cubminnesota.org/investigatio...

cubminnesota.org

Investigation into Xcel Energy

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Complaints made to regulators against Xcel are likely the tip of the iceberg. They only represent people who have the time and know-how to file. Several say they got so frustrated with Xcel that they gave up trying to resolve their issues. How many others have been overcharged with no recourse?

I’ve done that math, and know that we over paid by thousands of dollars, both in rate prices but also being charged
taxes for heating expenses which is against state law.
I raised this with Xcel’s customer support, but after a frustrating conversation I decided to drop it because I don’t
have time to deal with their inconsiderate support.

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Given that regulators in multiple states are investigating Xcel's widespread customer service failures, should CEO Bob Frenzel have received the maximum bonus for customer satisfaction last year? Well, he did... after Xcel seemingly loosened the criteria. www.startribune.com/xcel-ceo-pay...

startribune.com

Xcel boosts CEO pay 45% amid more customer complaints

Between salary, bonuses and stock awards, Robert Frenzel’s compensation is $16 million, up from $11 million in 2024.

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

State utility regulators in Colorado, where Xcel is also a major utility provider, opened a similar inquiry last year after noting an eye-popping increase in complaints from Xcel customers in their state. puc.colorado.gov/sites/puc/fi...

PUC Consumer Affairs raised concern regarding increased customer
complaints about Public Service Company of CO. Data from the
Company’s most recent Quality of Service Plan (QSP) report shows an increase of 227% in complaints per 1,000 customers between 2022 and 2024.

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Xcel customers across Minnesota are sharing similar stories about billing errors and poor service with state regulators, who opened an investigation after an uptick in complaints. The comments rolling in here are Kafka-esque and infuriating to read: efiling.web.commerce.state.mn.us/documents?do...

I strongly urge the Commission to investigate Xcel’s billing and customer service practices. On February 27, 2026, Xcel billed me $5,155.95 for four months of service at my prior residence. When I contacted Xcel the next day, a representative identified a data-entry error: staff had failed to carry the final reading from my old meter forward as the initial reading on my new meter, causing the bill to include charges for 28,205 kWh that I had already paid.
While attempting to resolve this error,
• Xcel scheduled an automatic March payment of $5,155.95, which I was unable to shut off.
o On March 14, I called Xcel, and they stopped automatic payments from my account.
• On March 17, Xcel sent me a “corrected” bill for $5,100.41.
o On April 4, I sent a formal letter to Xcel requesting that Xcel remove the 28,205 kWh I had previously paid from my account.
• On April 23, Xcel sent me a bill that included a late charge of $76.51 (1.5% of the erroneous $5,100.41 balance), and on April 24 issued a Disconnection Notice for services at my current residence unless I pay the past-due amount of $5.100.41 or make payment arrangements by 5/8/2026.
o On May 4, I called Xcel to get the scheduled disconnection cancelled.
• On May 5, Xcel sent a bill that removed the incorrect charge of $5,100.41, but not the late fee charged on that amount.
o On May 8, I called Xcel and requested removal of the late charge of $76.51. The representative stated that there were no late charges on my account and I owed Xcel that money. I told the representative that I disagreed and was disputing the charge.
o On May 23, I called Xcel and requested an escrow payment form, as described in Minnesota Administrative Rules 7820.2800. Neither the representative nor the senior staff member he contacted knew about this form.

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

A guy who says he's never gotten an electric bill over $40 starts to see thousands of dollars in monthly charges. He can't get answers from Xcel, which insists nothing is wrong yet later issues a big (but insufficient) bill credit. His balance is still over $60K. Insane. www.fox9.com/news/lakevil...

fox9.com

Lakeville hangar owner seeks answers as Xcel electric bills spike, balance tops $61K

A Lakeville airplane hangar owner says his Xcel Energy bill jumped from about $40 a month to upwards of $10,000 in some months, despite no major change in his power usage. His account balance has now ...

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Javier supported our South Minneapolis community in many ways during Metro Surge and now he’s caring for Tati, who recently learned she has a brain tumor and is facing a difficult recovery without family nearby. If you can help, they can use it. gofund.me/3d71a970c

gofund.me

Donate to Support Tati and Javier Through Recovery, organized by Scott Puhl

Scott is raising this fundraiser for Tati and Javier, friends and neighbors facing… Scott Puhl needs your support for Support Tati and Javier Through Recovery

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Reposted by Karlee Weinmann

Simon D. Schuster @simon.schuster.press · 08/09/2026

ICYMI: As recently as Friday, Jocelyn Benson's campaign touted her as "the only candidate not taking utility money in this gov race." But her campaign accepted $3,000 from DTE Energy’s executive chairman, her fundraising disclosure showed. (via @bridgemi.com) bridgemi.com/michigan-gov...

bridgemi.com

Jocelyn Benson outraises John James. See top donors in Michigan governor race - Bridge Michigan

Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Jocelyn Benson got donations from DTE and Blue Cross executives, while the DeVos family continued to contribute to Republican John James.

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madi mcvan @madisonmcvan.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

minnesota people — were you at an anti-ICE organizing meeting, only to later find out an undercover DHS agent was in attendance? know someone who that happened to? if so, i'd love to talk — you can DM me, or reach out on signal, madimcvan.75

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Gravel Influencer @gravelinfluencer.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Whenever a cyclist is killed by a driver people love to do this bizarre blame inversion where they mention all the reasons drivers are dangerous before concluding that it's actually the fault of the cyclist for daring to bike in the road

I’m so sorry, but you have to be crazy to bike in traffic these days. Between people speeding, looking at their phones and being distracted, you’re better off saving cycling for somewhere else. It’s too dangerous

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

And remember, despite this increase in customer complaints and investigations into customer service issues in both Minnesota and Colorado, Xcel CEO Bob Frenzel received a bonus for customer satisfaction last year www.startribune.com/xcel-ceo-pay...

startribune.com

Xcel boosts CEO pay 45% amid more customer complaints

Between salary, bonuses and stock awards, Robert Frenzel’s compensation is $16 million, up from $11 million in 2024.

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Minnesota regulators are investigating an increase in Xcel Energy billing errors and customer service issues. People who've had bad experiences dealing with Xcel can submit their stories to the Public Utilities Commission here: cubminnesota.org/investigatio...

cubminnesota.org

Investigation into Xcel Energy

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ProPublica @propublica.org · 03/09/2026

Federal prosecutors today charged an ICE agent with lying about the shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant. Last night, we reported that the prosecutor had planned to bring more serious civil rights charges but was blocked by DOJ officials in D.C.

propublica.org

Trump’s DOJ Blocked Serious ICE Shooting Charge Over Federal Prosecutor’s “Strongest Possible” Objections

A prosecutor planned to file civil rights charges — similar to those brought against the officers who killed George Floyd — against an ICE agent. In an email we exclusively obtained, he reveals that T...

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Michigan's Dana Nessel is a model for how attorneys general can rein in monopoly utilities and advocate for ratepayers, and it's a high-stakes race to replace her between someone who says they'll keep it up and someone who hasn't said much of anything at all planetdetroit.org/2026/09/mich...

planetdetroit.org

How Michigan attorney general race could reshape utility regulation, ratepayer protection

Michigan's next attorney general will decide whether to continue Dana Nessel's work challenging utilities over rate hikes and environmental issues.

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Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota @cubmn.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

“The company reported more than $2 billion in earnings last year, and in every earnings report we see that those numbers go up,” said Levenson-Falk, the Citizens Utility Board’s executive director. “But ratepayers, on the other hand, are already struggling to afford electricity service.”

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MPR News @mprnews.org · 02/09/2026

Many Minnesotans experienced sticker shock at their latest energy bill, with the cost of energy a leading source of inflation nationally. Hot temperatures, grid upgrades and higher returns are some of the factors behind these high energy costs.

mprnews.org

Why are Minnesota electricity bills going up?

Hot temperatures, grid upgrades and higher returns are some of the factors behind energy costs.

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Minnesotan Kaiju @whisperingpines.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

When the story of Metro Surge is told in media, don't for a moment, through the outpouring of solidarity and community building, despite the heroism, forget that it sucked ass every single day and some days it was like the sun had been blocked from the world

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

The only organization that has submitted a filing supporting the PUC's decision authorizing higher profits for Xcel is Minnesota Utility Investors, the shareholder advocacy group that receives funding from Xcel and has pushed for higher rates before energyandpolicy.org/xcel-funded-...

energyandpolicy.org

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

We updated this post to list all the groups now urging the PUC to reverse its decision: AG Ellison, Citizens Utility Board, MN Dept of Commerce, Cooperative Energy Futures, ELPC, MN Interfaith Power & Light, Vote Solar, Xcel large industrial customers, and the American Economic Liberties Project

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Those urging the PUC to reverse its decision allowing Xcel to hike profits now include: AG Ellison, CUB, MN Dept of Commerce, Cooperative Energy Futures, Environmental Law & Policy Center, MN Interfaith Power & Light, Vote Solar, and AELP. An Xcel-funded shareholder group supports the PUC decision.

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Minnesota's top consumer advocates are all pushing the Public Utilities Commission to undo its decision enabling Xcel Energy to charge customers more for profits, and now national corporate accountability org @econliberties.bsky.social has joined them efiling.web.commerce.state.mn.us/documents/%7...

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Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

The massive nationwide electricity rate hikes aren’t happening simply because utility services have gotten more expensive or customers have been receiving better service. It’s because utility monopolies have bought off the system that’s supposed to keep them in check.

youtube.com

The Secret Behind High Electricity Bills

Private utility companies like PG&E, Duke, and Exelon control electricity for nearly 70% of Americans — and they're usin

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Reposted by Karlee Weinmann

The Lever @levernews.com · 28/08/2026

Read how the gas industry is exploiting affordability fears to push Democrats right — and which states it plans to target next: www.levernews.com/a-natural-ga...

levernews.com

A Natural Gas Astroturf Group Says It Flipped NY Gov. Hochul

How a front for fossil fuel is using affordability fears, former Democratic officials, and dubious polling to turn establishment Democrats against the climate left.

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Sarah Lazare @sarahlazare.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I talked to a man who got stuck in an elevator, a wheelchair user who had to go on his balcony and shout to ask for food, a woman who had to sleep in her chair because she couldn't use her COPD machine. The crisis in Gary is the product of structural neglect and racism, but also climate change.

prospect.org

Gary, Indiana, Is America’s Latest Climate Victim - The American Prospect

This community has already faced structural racism and disinvestment. A two-week blackout unleashed a humanitarian disaster.

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Nate Pentz @natepentz.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

There is so much amazing crop art this year at the Minnesota State Fair focused on the resistance to the ICE occupation we faced, this one in particular had me choked up.

Crop art with a whistle text says

I can't keep doing this
I have to keep doing this

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The list of groups opposing the PUC's decision enabling Xcel to charge customers more for profits now includes Cooperative Energy Futures, ELPC, MNIPL, and Vote Solar. They also blasted the PUC for ignoring a dramatic increase in Xcel disconnections: efiling.web.commerce.state.mn.us/documents/%7...

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Karlee Weinmann @karleeweinmann.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The Minnesota Department of Commerce filed a letter today urging utility regulators to reconsider allowing Xcel to charge customers more for utility profits. All three major ratepayer advocates now say this is an unjustifiably bad deal. The letter: efiling.web.commerce.state.mn.us/documents/%7...

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