Minnesota Public Utilities Commission lays the foundation for gas resource planning

在上周四的公开听证会上, 2月22日, 整个过程持续了将近6个小时, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) decided on key requirements for Minnesota’s new natural gas integrated resource planning process. As the Commissioners navigated the complex task of establishing a framework for gas resource planning, 明尼苏达州的一项新工艺, they turned to expert testimony from various stakeholders, 包括CEE的政策主任, 奥黛丽鹧鸪.

导致听证会, CEE worked closely and collaboratively with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, 明尼苏达和北达科他州, and Xcel Energy to develop and submit a joint proposal of preferred outcomes. This group drew from our shared expertise in the gas system, as well as our collective goal to create a pragmatic, 平衡安全的生产计划过程, 可靠性, 可购性, 和环境, 气候, 以及经济影响. The Commissioners accepted nearly all of the joint filers’ recommendations in their final order. The following are crucial components of the final decision that will ensure the planning process is functional, 可访问的, 并将有利于公众利益, including advancing our state’s environmental and 气候 goals.

• 规划目标: The overarching objective of gas resource planning was defined as determining the best combination of energy resources that will simultaneously protect ratepayers and public interests, 先进的国家政策, 提供可靠性, 安全, 和负担能力.
   
• 足球外围app哪个靠谱: The Commission will prioritize the inclusion of cost-effective energy savings as a preferred energy resource when evaluating proposed plans, centering energy efficiency in the planning process. The utilities’ energy efficiency targets will also be incorporated into the utilities’ respective Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) and Natural Gas Innovation Act (NGIA) plans. The already established ECO and NGIA processes will complement gas resource planning by providing pathways for reaching desired levels of energy efficiency.
   
• 环境注意事项: The utilities must estimate the environmental externality costs of each resource option and their overall plans. This means that each resource’s impact on the environment and 气候 will be factored into the decision-making process.  
   
• 公众参与: 整个规划过程, there will be public meetings where any Minnesotan can comment verbally on the proposed plans. Special care will be taken to ensure meetings are 可访问的 for communities that are typically underrepresented in regulatory and political processes. 另外, 各方和个人可以提交自己的文件, alternative resource plans if they do not support the one proposed by the utility.  
   
• 电气化的影响: The utilities must evaluate how increasing electrification will reduce the demand for gas over time and incorporate this change into their plans. The decision also calls for a future stakeholder process and comment period that will investigate whether rate changes will be necessary to maintain 负担得起的, 公平的服务.
   
• 监督和问责制: Each utility’s resource plan will consist of both a ten-year forecast of sales and emissions and a five-year action plan outlining specific implementation steps. 一旦公用事业公司提交了计划, the PUC will have the authority to either approve, 拒绝, 或者修改它们. The utilities must submit annual progress updates on the implementation of their most recently approved plan and seek approval from the MPUC if they anticipate deviating from it.
   
• 扩张的替代品: When considering strategies for meeting growing capacity needs in the future, utilities must consider alternatives beyond simply expanding the gas system. Rather than assuming that expanding the gas system is the best option, 他们必须探索其他选择, such as targeted energy efficiency and electrification, 区域能源系统, or new pipes carrying low-emissions gaseous fuels like hydrogen and renewable natural gas.

The MPUC decided to require a gas resource planning process in Minnesota after Winter Storm Uri, which caused gas prices to spike dramatically in 2021 and demonstrated the need for increased utility planning. 一旦监管框架完全建立起来, the resource planning process will require Minnesota’s three largest gas utilities (Xcel Energy, 中心能量, and Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation) to periodically submit integrated resource plans to the Commission. 通过要求更透明, 有远见的, 以及长期决策, gas resource planning will prepare Minnesota’s utilities for a transition to a decarbonized future while protecting consumers from price volatility. It will provide the regulatory process and path for our gas utilities to advance our state’s 气候 goals, 在MPUC的指导和监督下, which has proved a highly successful approach in Minnesota’s electric sector.

While the MPUC made considerable progress on Thursday, they still have important details to work out regarding the implementation details of gas resource planning. Public involvement in future regulatory stages will be crucial to ensure that the gas planning framework results in a truly reliable, 负担得起的, 和脱碳系统. To keep up to date with the regulatory process and participate in the next round of public comments, 你可以 在这里找到更多信息.