Here are some key Minnesota Energy Utility headlines from the 3-12 to 4-9 time period. Articles about the PUC's Geronimo Solar approval will have their own separate blogpost:

March 12, 2014 -Minnesota becomes first state to set ‘value of solar’ tariff  Posted by Dan Haugen Midwest Energy News 

April 1, 2014, NRC troubled by 'degraded' performance at Monticello nuclear plant by DAVID SHAFFER , Star Tribune

April 3, 2014 - Xcel Energy gets clear message from NRC about Monticello plant performance  By Tim Hennagir Monticello Times

 April 6, 2014 -  Xcel conservation programs shave 1.7 percent off power sales by STEVE FISCHER , Star Tribune 

April 9, 2014 - Higher CenterPoint gas charge wins key approval from judge by DAVID SHAFFER, Star Tribune 

04/09/2014 If ‘value of solar’ is optional, will Minnesota utilities adopt it? Posted by Ken Paulman Midwest Energy News 

See below for a brief summaries of the featured articles. 

We have had a successful run at the state legislature because we helped position the City of Minneapolis to establish a relationship with our utilities that actually promises to move the City toward its energy goals. This culminated at the March 17^th informational hearing before the House Energy Policy Committee. Minneapolis City Council Vice President Elizabeth Glidden started off the hearing by testifying about the City's strong intent to get cleaner, more efficient and reliable energy services that are affordable and provide local economic development benefits. A big takeaway from Elizabeth Glidden's testimony is about the city's goal of 10% local renewable energy by 2025 and her statement 

“It is no secret that Minneapolis had a debate about municipalization in 2013. This debate for some was a reflection of a desire to explore all options that relate to our energy future.”

Three bills that would greatly help implementation of the Minneapolis Energy Pathways Study recommendations are set to have a state legislative hearing in the Energy Policy Committee. The hearing will take place on Monday March 17^th at 12:00 PM in Room 10 of the State Office Building across the street from the capitol. We encourage supporters to be present during the hearing both to make a positive visual impression to the legislators and because Committee Chair Representative Melissa Hortman might ask for public testimony about the proposed legislation. Any of these three pro-local control bills has to win the committee vote in order to have a chance at becoming law this year. 

Minneapolis Energy Options and supportive members of the Minneapolis City Council were given praises and gratitude in their February 24^th meeting of the Health, Environment and Community Engagement Committee. 

“The city has gained great momentum on energy issues. The advocates have done a tremendous job at driving a city wide conversation on energy options.”

 Mike Bull, lead presenter of the Energy Pathways Study

    On Monday February 24^th 2014, the Health, Environment and Community Engagement Committee (HE&CE) in the Minneapolis City Council will hear a presentation of the long-awaited Energy Pathways Study. The City Council approved this study to consider alternative pathways to the status quo energy system in preparation for renegotiating the franchise agreements with Xcel and Centerpoint that expire at the end of this year.

Here are the four different energy pathways examined, ranked by increasing city responsibility and control:

1: Enhanced (broader set of goals) Franchise agreements

2: A City-Utility Partnership

3: Community Choice Aggregation (Minneapolis contracting directly for energy supply)

4: Independently owned and operated Municipal Utility

For the immediate term, the Energy Pathways Study recommends a dual strategy that combines pathways #1 and #2 yet still considers pathways #3 and #4 on a longer-term scale.