On September 19, 2019, Dakota Electric submitted a request to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) for approval to increase annual revenue by about $8.7 million or 4.3%. A 3% interim rate increase went into effect on members’ electricity use in November 2019 and has shown up as the “Interim Rate Increase” on members’ bills since December 2019.

On June 18, 2020, the Commission heard a summation of the positions taken by parties to the cooperative’s general rate case including Dakota Electric, the Minnesota Department of Commerce and the Office of the Attorney General.

After considering information submitted by all parties, and recommendations from the Administrative Law Judge who presided over the case, the MPUC approved an annual increase in revenue of about $8.5 million or 4.25%. The Commission decision approves about 98% of the revenue increase Dakota Electric requested.

At the time of publication, a formal written order is expected in July, after which there will be required compliance filings. The remaining annual revenue increase will likely be applied to members’ electricity use around October.

Annual wind farm tours are canceled this year due to the coronavirus. We plan to resume the tours again next year. Watch for more information next August. Thank you.