Recent content from Mike Hughlett
How a deep freeze in the South burned Minnesota consumers
Minnesota utilities made a losing bet on natural gas markets, leaving customers on the hook for higher prices.
Blackouts cut North Dakota oil production
Bad February storms in the south stressed the country's power grids and caused disruption in the state's oil counties.
Xcel wants to build $575M solar plant in Becker
Xcel Energy has unveiled plans for the largest solar energy plant in Minnesota by far, a $575 million project in Becker adjacent to the company's Sherco coal power complex.
Minnesota judge strikes down rule that eliminated pork plant restrictions
The federal lawsuit was filed on behalf of meatpacking unions, including one local that represents JBS in Worthington.
First trial starts this week in massive 3M earplugs litigation
Nearly 230,000 claims are pending in federal court.
Great River in talks to sell Coal Creek plant in North Dakota
The utility said last year that it planned to close the facility after failing to find a buyer.
Oil demand, future of Enbridge Line 3 argued before appeals court
With pipeline half built, appeals panel explores whether oil industry projections swayed regulatory review.
Enbridge prevails in Minnesota Tax Court, counties brace for fiscal hit
'Worst-case scenario' rulings for 13 counties and other local governments conclude that Enbridge's assets were overtaxed for years.
Is Enbridge Line 3 needed? Key question lands before Minnesota appeals court next week
The demand for oil — and thus the need for Enbridge's controversial new pipeline — will take center stage this week before the Minnesota Court…
CenterPoint says Feb. cold snap could cost customers $354, plus interest
The utility is proposing adding the cost to bills over a two-year period beginning in May.
Dispute idling 200 workers at St. Paul Park refinery enters its 8th week
Talks are scheduled to resume later this month between the union and Marathon Petroleum.
Xcel customers who owe thousands to get help settling their debt
Ratepayers won't have to foot the bill for program that covers up to 75% of big unpaid tabs.
North Dakota oil production dips again in January
Despite the decline, rising oil prices have brightened the recent outlook.
Xcel, environmentalists square off over planned gas-fired power plant
Company cites need for grid reliability; opponents push for end to fossil fuel.
Enbridge's Line 3 deal-making divides Ojibwe bands in Minn.
Two offers, one accepted and one rejected, underscore Enbridge's attempts to win over the Ojibwe bands in Minnesota — and the tensions those efforts have caused as construction of the controversial pipeline enters its fourth month.
Duluth residents should be spared natural gas bill spike
The city-owned utility was shielded from recent high market prices, officials said.
Minnesotans' heating bills could be $400 higher due to Southern storm
The amount will spread over months by the state's utilities.
Heating bill price shock could be felt in Minnesota as well
South's historic cold wave caused natural gas demand to skyrocket nationwide.
Power failures from giant Texas storm reach into Minnesota
Some customers along Minnesota's western border were hit by outages earlier this week.
Mike Priem, electrician and union organizer, dies at 73
Mike Priem took up the electrician's trade as a young man and then devoted a good part of his life to expanding the ranks of…
Majority of those working on Enbridge pipeline from outside Minnesota
The goal was to hire 50% in-state workers.
3M raises spending on water quality, other environmental goals, sees $1B pricetag over 20 years
The Maplewood-based company says half the spending will be on people, half on capital projects.
North Dakota worried federal rulings, policies could affect oil output
The state's oil production was down 3% in December, while gas output was up.
Minnesota construction delay contributes to $1.1B price increase for Enbridge pipeline
Onset of winter and extension of the permitting process contributed to $1.1B increase.
Second court says Enbridge can continue construction of $2.6B pipeline in Minnesota
Enbridge wins new round in legal clash over project.
Workplace COVID-19 complaints flood state safety agency
Minnesota saw 250% increase over prior year.
Indigenous, historic preservation groups object to wind project near Jeffers Petroglyphs
The project, the first large-scale wind and solar plant in the state, would impair the 'viewshed' of the historic site.
Appeals Court rejects petition to halt construction on Enbridge's Minnesota pipeline
Two Ojibwe bands had asked for a stay on the controversial Line 3 replacement project.
Analysts point to PFAS liability as a ding on 3M stock
While happy with its earnings report, they said the liability continues to drag down the stock's value.
Uneventful fourth quarter caps year in which Xcel's profits increased 6%
Economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic and flat sales affected performance for the Minneapolis-based utility.
3M ends 2020 on strong note, with fourth quarter earnings up 43%
Sales rose in all four divisions, with overall revenue up 5.8% for the quarter.
Rosemount refinery put out bids for its own large solar plant
The panels would produce electricity for the refinery, rare for an industrial site.
200 Teamsters on strike at St. Paul Park refinery
Union members rejected a new contract offer on Thursday.
State regulators fine Xcel Energy $1M over dispute with solar developers
The complaints, most from All Energy Solar, were over delays connecting solar projects to the electricity grid.
Florida company accused of selling fake 3M masks to HCMC hit with injunction
3M lawsuit alleges Nationwide Source sold fake masks at inflated prices, including to HCMC.
North Dakota oil production falls slightly in November
The month's oil and gas output was in line with expectations.
CenterPoint Energy residential customers in Minnesota will see 5% rate hike
State utility regulators on Thursday approved the increase, less than what the company asked for.
UnitedHealth subsidiary indicted on collusion charges
The company said it would strong defend itself against allegations it agreed with competitors not to recruit each other's senior employees.
Renewable-energy tax credits extended under pandemic stimulus package
Advocates say the stimulus measure will boost clean-energy projects here.
Renewable-energy tax credits extended under pandemic stimulus package
Advocates say the stimulus measure will boost clean-energy projects here.
Renewable energy tax credits extended under pandemic stimulus package
Advocates say the move will be 'beneficial' to clean energy projects.
IRS says Prince's estate undervalued by 50%, triggering another dispute in settlement
The Internal Revenue Service claims the executors of Prince's estate have lowballed its value by 50%, or about $80 million, triggering a dispute that could…
Ojibwe bands ask appeals court to stop Enbridge Line 3 construction
The Red Lake and White Earth bands filed suit, the second such filing in a week by pipeline opponents.
Pipeline worker killed on Enbridge job site was father of nine
Jorge Villafuerte was run over Dec. 18 at a construction yard in Hill City.
Lawsuit seeks to halt Line 3 pipeline, alleging faulty approval process
Opponents maintain the Army Corps of Engineers didn't adqutely consider key environmental issues.
Minnesota regulators approve $750M Xcel wind power project
The project would involve rebuilding five wind farms, making them more efficient.
Enbridge pipeline worker killed in industrial accident
The death occurred in a construction yard in Hill City, Minn.
Xcel residential rates to remain the same in 2021
Large commercial customers that will see a bump has argued against the state regulatory decision.
3M sales grow 8% in November, continuing to accelerate since pandemic low
If trends continue, the company expects to top 2019 fourth quarter sales.
North Dakota oil production not likely to improve for months
October production was essentially flat; natural gas production was up 2%.
Crunch time for Xcel electricity rate hike request
Declining commercial power sales and the pandemic have made for an usually complicated rate case.
Great River announces Minnesota wind farm projects to replace coal plant power
The wind farms are mostly in the southern part of the state.
Great River's power line gives it leverage in any potential sale
More interest may be shown in line than plant.
Ernest Ruiz, founder of HCMC's emergency care practice, dies at 89
The practice was one of the country's first — and helped create a new field of medicine.
Ojibwe bands ask Minnesota utility regulators to stay their OK of Enbridge pipeline
The move is a key step before an appeal is filed.
PUC gives construction OK to Enbridge for Minnesota pipeline
Only one more permit is needed before construction can begin.
Army Corps of Engineers issues Enbridge permit for Line 3
The permit is last big hurdle for the construction project, which will be one of largest in recent history for Minnesota.
PUC backs CenterPoint plan for renewable natural gas system
The utility hopes to establish a supply system to sell renewable natural gas to customers.
Oil and gas production rising in North Dakota, but future is murky
North Dakota posted a solid hike in petroleum output in September, while the industry now races to start new wells before pro-oil President Donald Trump…
3M monthly sales grew, but not at rate seen over summer
Consumers were spending more on household items and home improvement.
$2.6B Enbridge pipeline construction a go after permits OK'd
Construction could start in December after the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Department of Natural Resources approved the $2.6 billion project; Army Corps of Engineers permit expected.
Xcel extends 25% discounts to small businesses because of coronavirus pandemic
Temporary credits are offered to offset pandemic losses.
Minnesota utility regulators getting pushback on economic stimulus initiative
Minnesota utility regulators made an unusual call this spring. They asked the state’s electric and gas utilities to pitch investments that could help jump-start the…
Xcel's Minnesota customers will pay more next year — the question is how much
Hefty increase depends on regulators' decision on COVID investment plan.
Xcel sees rise in residential electricity use because of pandemic
Industrial and commercial sectors down as more people work from home.
N95s, other health care products continue to buoy 3M
The Maplewood-based company beat Wall Street estimates for the third quarter.
Complaint says Enbridge's new $2.6 billion pipeline is no longer necessary
Because the oil company has increased capacity, Honor the Earth claims the new pipeline across northern Minnesota is not needed.
Notion of gold rush in northern Minnesota hits setback
Minnesota's largest holder of precious-metal mining leases terminated them, turning to a promising venture in Nevada.
North Dakota oil production swells as wells go back online
The steep oil price drop in the spring caused a big dip in production, but the industry is back to more normal levels.
Judge backs MPCA on water permits for Enbridge pipeline
An administrative law judge has found that Minnesota pollution regulators properly considered the construction impacts of Enbridge's controversial new pipeline, a blow to the oil pipeline's opponents.
Xcel gets $10.5M federal grant for pilot project on hydrogen
The new plant will be at either Prairie Island or the utility's Monticello nuclear facility.
3M's efforts on counterfeit N95 mask crackdown leads to raids in Vietnam, U.A.E.
1,200 seizures and raids so far have uncovered knockoffs.
Xcel proposes program to help folks who can't pay their utility bills
Minnesota's past-due utility bills grow with "long and hard winter" ahead.
Minnesota solar developers fault Xcel for delays in their projects
The energy firm rejects the criticism; a $1 million fine is at stake.
Appellate court upholds Xcel electric vehicle charging programs
State PUC had OK'd pilot programs to foster electric vehicle use.
