Photo credit: Quentin Kendall
By Priyanka Zylstra and Julie Johnson
You may be hearing many of the Minnesota-based environmental organizations throwing around the term IRP recently. Every 2-3 years, Xcel submits an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC)-- the regulator for monopoly energy utilities like Xcel. Essentially, the IRP is a 15-year energy forcast for how much energy Xcel needs and where Xcel will be sourcing it from (coal, natural gas, nuclear, solar, wind, etc). Xcel’s next IRP is due to the PUC in February of 2019, which is why environmental organizations are talking about it now.
Xcel’s goal is to reach 85% “carbon free” energy (including solar, wind, and nuclear energy) by 2030. While we appreciate that Xcel is setting higher goals for renewables, we think they have the ABILITY to go 100% carbon free sooner and it is their duty to do so because our climate and lives depend on it. Additionally, Xcel is a monopoly utility, which means we cannot choose to get our energy from elsewhere. We have to pay Xcel to turn on the lights. This is why our voice as customers and a regulatory process like the IRP is especially important.
This summer is the most important time to put pressure on Xcel because its IRP is not yet finalized. We can influence Xcel more effectively in the next month as it develops a long-term plan. Xcel is holding various stakeholder sessions leading up to its IRP proposal. These sessions use very technical terms, occur during workday hours, and are difficult to access using public transportation. They are not designed for the majority of its customers. We want to give folks a chance to share their vision for what 100% renewable energy looks like in their community while pushing Xcel to support our vision for its plan.
To recenter community voices in the IRP process, the Sierra Club is hosting an event series across Minnesota called “Reclaim Your Power.” These events will explain further the Xcel IRP process, feature local community activists and their work on renewable/clean energy, and engage folks in various activities through which we can articulate our energy needs and vision to Xcel. We hope to see you at them!
Reclaim Your Power Event Dates
Twin Cities: July 30th, 6pm-8:30pm at the CWA Local 7200 -- 3521 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Western Suburbs: August 16th, 6-8:30pm at the Minnetonka Community Center -- 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
St. Cloud: August 30th, 6-8:30pm at the Great River Regional Library -- 1300 W St Germain St, St Cloud, MN 56301
Stillwater: September 6th, 5:30-8pm at the Stillwater Public Library -- 224 3rd St N, Stillwater, MN