Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) of Minnesota is a nonprofit advocate for Minnesota’s utility consumers. We advocate for affordable and reliable utility service and clean energy for Minnesota residents and small businesses.

CUB is committed to reducing the costs and environmental impacts of energy for the people of Minnesota by improving public policy, educating consumers about energy options, and offering personalized guidance on how to lower electricity and natural gas bills. Using our extensive knowledge of Minnesota regulations and laws, we are dedicated to protecting consumers, supporting the stewardship of our natural resources, and holding utility companies accountable.

Our work

CUB provides no-charge services to any Minnesota utility customer, and we represent consumers’ interests before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and in policy making. Some of our work includes: providing free energy consults and bill clinics, and customized educational presentations.

Since our founding in 2016, CUB has:

• Helped nearly 15,000 households avoid shutoffs, reduce their utility costs, and understand energy policy through presentations, events, and one-on-one conversations with individual Minnesotans.
• Helped save Xcel customers approximately $80 million each year by limiting Xcel's profit margin on electricity rates.
• Helped save Minnesotans nearly $60 million by requiring gas utilities to share the burden of the gas price spike caused by 2021 Winter Storm Uri.
• Successfully pushed to require gas utilities to submit their long-term plans to public scrutiny and regulatory approval -- a key element to ensuring utilities will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and do so in a manner that's fair to all customers.
• Published a report for the State of Minnesota identifying strategies to make utility energy efficiency programs better serve lower-income, renter, and BIPOC households.
• Passed a bill to provide crucial support for public-interest advocates to participate in Public Utilities Commission proceedings that determine utility rates, energy sources, consumer protections, and much more.