LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota Support Economic Recovery Plans by Regulated Utilities to PUC

Saint Paul, MN — LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota issued this statement following the official submission of economic recovery plans from electric and gas utilities to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

“Our members recognize that we are entering a COVID-driven economic recession that could produce levels of construction unemployment not seen since the Great Recession,” said Joel Smith, President and Business Manager. “We appreciate the leadership shown by Chair Sieben, Commissioner Sullivan and their fellow Commissioners in recognizing the challenge and the need for prompt action.

Smith added, “We thank Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power, and other regulated utilities for stepping up to the plate with nearly $3 billion worth of proposed investments that are targeted to put our neighbors to work improving electric and gas service and accelerating environmental progress. We urge the Commission to establish a timely process for reviewing and approving these proposals so our members can go to work building a better Minnesota.”

Minnesota’s Public Utilities Commission recently asked regulated utilities to submit proposals to assist the state’s economic recovery and put residents to work while also delivering benefits to ratepayers. Minnesota’s electric and gas utilities responded today with a slate of projects that could inject hundreds of millions of dollars into local economies and create thousands of jobs making our energy infrastructure cleaner, safer, more efficient, and more reliable.