Dispelling misinformation on wind, solar amid utility rate hikes

<p>(Minnesota News Connection) - Minnesota is seeing a flurry of utility rate hikes either <a href="https://mn.gov/puc/activities/financial-analysis/general-rate-case/" target="_blank">being considered or taking effect</a>.<br> <br> Those who support renewable energy warn there's some misleading information in the public sphere about what is behind the activity.<br> <br> <a href="https://efiling.web.commerce.state.mn.us/edockets/searchDocuments.do?method=showPoup&amp;documentId={70DEB77C-0000-C014-B71B-4C8A304F3267}&amp;documentTitle=202110-179078-01" target="_blank">Xcel Energy</a> has a pending rate hike before state regulators. If approved, it would boost electricity rates by 21% over three years. <a href="https://efiling.web.commerce.state.mn.us/edockets/searchDocuments.do?method=showPoup&amp;documentId={90ABDB7C-0000-CD63-A5F6-87A263B35196}&amp;documentTitle=202111-179332-07" target="_blank">Minnesota Power</a> also proposes a substantial increase.<br> <br> Some policy groups opposed to renewable energy have launched campaigns suggesting the plans are solely caused by wind and solar projects.<br> <br> Isabel Ricker, senior manager for clean electricity at Fresh Energy, countered it does not tell the whole story, noting there is aging infrastructure to be updated.<br> <br> "The fundamentals of our electricity system; the poles, the wires, some of the larger equipment at substations," Ricker outlined.<br> <br> Xcel Energy acknowledged upgrades would help the utility better transition to clean energy. And Fresh Energy contended a more modern system would make it easier for Minnesota to rely on such sources, also arguing they are still a less-expensive investment than traditional power plants.<br> <br> Both utilities won approval for smaller, interim hikes late last year.<br> <br> Annie Levenson-Falk, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Minnesota, pointed out while her group is fighting some rate hikes, utilities do see the need for investments in energy sources more economically viable in