Minnesota State Capitol Building in Saint Paul
February 2025 Updates
Public Utilities Commission To Take Up Line Extension Allowances (LEAs): In a January Notice determining the scope and timeline of Minnesota’s long-delayed Future of Gas Docket, the Commission outlined clear next steps for the year and a plan to begin a stakeholder process via comment period and hearing to evaluate the role LEAs play in achieving gas system emissions reductions and opportunities for policy changes to align greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals and the policy. The process begins with a thorough comment period on LEAs in March 2025, with the Commission aiming to evaluate changes to gas rates with the same GHG reduction goal lens.
Minnesota House Threatens Stall Till March: Following a tie between House Democrats and Republicans in the November election, a flurry of contested races, lawsuits, and Minnesota State Supreme Court decisions has led to a stalemate of power in the Minnesota House. Democrats have refused to show up to the State Capitol to ensure Republicans cannot begin the legislative session in the majority until a special election is conducted to fill a newly vacant seat after courts ruled Curtis Johnson (40B) did not meet residency requirements to run in his district. With prospects for a power-sharing agreement between Democrats and Republicans unlikely, the hope for any significant legislative action remains dim until March, when a newly elected Democrat can be seated from House District 40B.
January 2025 Updates
Thermal Energy Networks Take Center Stage in Minnesota: Minnesota has taken the next step in introducing thermal energy networks (TENs) across its energy system by convening the largest and most diverse stakeholder group on the topic in the State’s history. The group first met in late 2024 and will continue meeting through 2025 to develop a report with recommendations for the Minnesota state legislature on policy changes Minnesota should make to accelerate the deployment of TENs by the state’s regulated gas utilities. BDC is supporting the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in organizing this TENs work group and looks forward to supporting the group as it develops its TENs report for the Minnesota legislature.