Interim rates stripped from bill

A bill that would have changed how the Public Utilities Commission grants interim rate increases now simply requires stricter reporting policies for utility employees’ travel and entertainment expenses.

The House Energy Finance and Policy Division approved HF2798 Feb. 22 after Rep. Andy Welti (DFL-Plainview) successfully amended the bill by stripping the entire section having to do with interim rate increases. It awaits action by the House Finance Committee.

Several division members said the bill, sponsored by Rep. Debra Hilstrom (DFL-Brooklyn Center), needed more discussion. Rep. Andrew Falk (DFL-Murdock) said private utility shareholders, not ratepayers, should be expected to carry the burden of executive compensation.

Rep. Mike Beard (R-Shakopee) called the bill “a solution looking for a problem.”

“I’m going to caution us to be very careful. Before we kick over this can and afflict our ratepayers with more cost, know that there is no natural occurring defense mechanism to protect the ratepayers from us. We’re it,” Beard said.

SF2519, a companion bill sponsored by Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL-St. Paul), awaits action by the Senate Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications Committee.