Recent content from Mike Hughlett
Minnesota regulators vote to move forward the third large Xcel solar project in Becker
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the land acquisition and other details for the project.
Minnesota regulators stick with decision for smaller rate increase than Xcel wanted
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to reject Xcel's request to reconsider the rate case decision.
Another $20M in federal funds for northern Minnesota Talon nickel mine
The Talon project, backed by Rio Tinto, will need to match the Department of Defense grant.
Duluth's Cirrus Aircraft flies high with Chinese owner
With business booming, Cirrus has filed for an IPO in Hong Kong. Still, it would remain controlled by the Chinese state as tensions rise between the U.S. and China.
Delta, Xcel push for sustainable aviation fuel hub in Minnesota
A manufacturer is needed to make those dreams a reality.
State OKs storing more nuclear waste at Xcel's Monticello plant
The PUC's vote is a key step to extend the life of the nuclear plant.
From promising to endangered, Minneapolis-based Foxo Technologies teeters on the brink
The Minneapolis life insurance firm is hit by weak sales, the termination of its CEO and an SEC investigation.
Minnesota electric co-ops band together to secure $970M in federal clean power money
Great River Energy is leading a group of Minnesota co-ops in applying to the USDA for grants and loans to reduce carbon emissions.
North Dakota's oil industry had its best month in more than 2 years
The state's petroleum and natural gas output each climbed 3% in June.
With U.S. Steel on sales block, is a Minnesota iron ore shake-up ahead?
U.S. Steel rejected a buyout offer from Cliffs, but the Iron Range's only two taconite miners may yet combine. U.S. Steel then received a competing bid from Esmark.
Xcel says state regulators erred in rate case and asks for do-over
Xcel said the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission was unreasonable and erred legally when it did not grant the utility's rate increase request.
Lakeville man remains jailed on suspicion of being drunk when he caused fatal crash in Minneapolis
A 42-year-old Fridley man was killed in the crash at 50th Street and S. Lyndale Avenue.
Teen arrested in fatal shooting of 12-year-old boy in St. Paul
A 14-year-old male is in custody pending charges of manslaughter, St. Paul police said. Relatives said the shooting was accidental.
Girl injured in ATV accident in northeastern Minnesota
The 6-year-old fell off the ATV and was run over by the brush mower it was pulling.
Canadian man rescues 2 swimmers after riptide sweeps them into Lake Superior in Duluth
Toronto man said he heard a cry for help and rushed to help the two young women.
Minnesota regulators blast Xcel for halting projects after rate case decision
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission voted to allow Xcel to scrap a program that included a rollout of EV chargers but held them to a microgrid project for underserved communities.
Cargill fights fraud claims by Russian bank over 'imaginary problems'
Minnetonka-based Cargill seeks to thwart a subpoena for financial records related to bank with Kremlin ties.
Consumer advocacy group dings Minnesota gas utilities for overspending on capital investments
The Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota says the investment plans will have an outsized effect on customers' bills. Utilities deny the claims.
Xcel says profitability down partly because of Minnesota regulators' decision on rates
Unfavorable weather conditions, especially in Colorado, also affected results. Minnesota regulators did not allow as large a rate increase as Xcel wanted.
William Hodder, longtime leader of Bloomington-based Donaldson, dies at 92
He helped root the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management in the business community.
Xcel drops plans for EV fast chargers after regulators nix preferred rate hike
In filings with state regulators, the Attorney General's Office and the Department of Commerce took the company to task for mistakes in its pilot projects.
Glencore deal to purchase all of PolyMet moves forward
A special committee of PolyMet's board approved the deal; now it needs full board approval.
Minnesota locked in global dilemma: More copper and nickel are needed, but mine development slow
There's a not-in-my-backyard mentality surrounding new hardrock mine projects.
Dozens of insurers sue Xcel to recoup Colorado wildfire losses
The official fire investigation found that a spark from an Xcel line contributed to one of the two fires that converged to cause the damage, but did not find the Minneapolis-based utility liable. The insurers disagree with the finding.
Minnesota regulators approve Xcel battery project in Becker; its cost was not disclosed
The battery can store electricity for 25 times longer than conventional grid batteries.
Glencore bids $73M to take full ownership of PolyMet
The international mining company already owns 82% of the company proposing a controversial copper-nickel mine in northern Minnesota.
Bloomington murder-suicide tied to securities fraud in Minnesota small towns
U.S. securities regulators claim perpetrator and victims of the killings raised over $3.7 million for fraudulent stock trading scheme
CenterPoint proposes $106M plan to cut carbon emissions from its gas system
The plan includes 18 pilot projects ranging from geothermal heating to increased use of "renewable" natural gas and hydrogen.
3M makes $10.5B settlement in 'forever chemical' cases involving drinking water
The settlement involves a bevy of cases out of South Carolina involving cities and public water agencies. Other companies settled the cases earlier.
Minnesota's clean energy plan needs nuclear power, but aging plants have their own risks
Xcel recently asked nuclear regulators to extend the life of its Monticello plant from 60 to 80 years and expects to do the same for Prairie Island.
North Dakota oil industry has lackluster month
The number of rigs, an indicator of future activity, also was down.
3M bankruptcy court gambit to resolve earplug lawsuits rejected by judge
The development is a big blow to 3M's defense against lawsuits that claim the Maplewood-based company is liable for alleged flaws in earplugs it sold to the military.
'Forever chemical' trial delayed; 3M settlement appears near
Major trial over toxic PFAS chemicals used in firefighting foam was slated to start Monday in a South Carolina federal court.
Xcel will reassess investments in Minnesota after regulators' rate hike decision
Regulators approved a 9%, three-year rate increase, much less than Xcel had requested. The state's largest utility says it will ask for a reconsideration of the decision.
Xcel shuts down nuke generator at Prairie Island after 'unusual event'
Fire alarms went off after an external transformer malfunctioned, the utility said, but there was no fire and no threat to the public or to plant workers.
PolyMet venture clearing out Hoyt Lakes taconite plant for copper-nickel project
The PolyMet and Teck American joint venture will spend $18 million and employ up to 120 workers on the project.
Minnesota awards Nashwauk mineral leases to Cleveland-Cliffs
The Department of Natural Resources had canceled Mesabi Metallics' rights to the leases in Nashwauk after the company failed to meet requirements.
Mesabi Metallics' last-ditch effort could complicate award of Nashwauk mineral leases
A state panel on Thursday will vote whether to approve the Department of Natural Resources' recommendation to award the leases to Cleveland-Cliffs.
Minnesota will revamp community solar garden program, but questions about cost remain
Legislation expected to be signed this week will transfer administration to the state Department of Commerce, but some of the costs will continue to be passed down to Xcel Energy ratepayers.
Judge orders 3M CEO to attend mediation for earplug lawsuits
Mike Roman is required to go to Florida this week to help resolve costly federal litigation against 3M military earplugs.
Xcel, Minnesota vie for billions in federal funds to create 'clean' hydrogen hub
The proposal would jump-start several hydrogen projects in North Dakota and Minnesota, including Xcel using renewable power to make hydrogen for a potential fertilizer plant in Morris.
Lawmakers reach historic deal on environment, climate, energy
The bill features a broad ban on PFAS and $1 billion in new spending for environment and energy projects.
North Dakota oil, natural gas production 'mixed bag'
The state's March production report had oil production falling while natural gas production was flat.
Xcel's plans in Becker would create one of largest solar plants in country
As Xcel announces an addition to its already giant Sherco solar project, the company acknowledges soaring construction prices for solar power.
DNR recommends Cleveland-Cliffs get much sought after mineral rights in Nashwauk
The rights are up for bid after Mesabi Metallics went into default on state agreements.
Controversial Crow Wing Power mine project inches forward
However, an AG investigation and financing are among many challenges the co-op faces.
Monticello tritium leak will not be big hit to Xcel's balance sheet
Quarterly earnings beat estimates with an 8.6% profit increase.
Northshore Mining on Iron Range open again after a year of idling
Local officials said all workers were offered their jobs back.
Court weighs dismissal of controversial bankruptcy of 3M earplug subsidiary
A federal judge in Indiana began hearings on whether 3M's use of bankruptcy court is appropriate as it faces lawsuits over allegedly defective earplugs.
There's a new area code in southern Minnesota's 507 region
Current phone users will keep their 507, but new customers will get 924 starting in 2025.
Pope County deputy killed, 2 other officers shot in arrest attempt
The BCA is investigating the shootings which came when the officers responded to a domestic dispute in Cyrus, a town of about 300 in west-central Minnesota.
Xcel, state regulators called in front of Senate committees over tritium leak
They acknowledged it would be better had they disclosed the leak sooner but also stressed that it did not pose a human health risk.
Ukrainian immigrant, benefactor to Arden Hills Orthodox church, dies at 82
Vera Tanasichuk as a child fled with her family from repression in Ukraine.
Otter Tail Power reverses course, will stick with North Dakota coal plant
The Minnesota utility had planned to exit Coyote Station, but now says electricity market concerns have changed its plans.
Administrative law judge says Xcel's rate increase request should be lower
Xcel already lowered its request, but a judge ruled it wasn't sufficiently reduced.
In CenterPoint pilot project, CO2 waste will be used for soap-making
A machine captures CO2 from the water heater and boiler.
Xcel shutting down nuke plant after fix to stop leak didn't work
Xcel said it will do a full analysis of why the leak occurred and said its other power sources should be able to cover the state's electricity needs while the Monticello plant is down.
Minnesota regulators approve 2.7% natural gas rate hike for Xcel
Xcel originally asked for an increase of more than 6%.
Xcel discovers new leak at Monticello plant, will power down for repairs
The company reported the new leak to be in the "hundreds of gallons" range. The original leak reported last week was about 400,000 gallons.
Minnesota's community solar garden program set for a revamp under proposed legislation
A new Senate bill would ditch the subscription model for most of the small solar arrays, making them operate more like the utility-scale projects.
Monticello leak of radioactive water was 6th worst of its kind
The well that first showed evidence of a tritium leak now shows levels about half the original amount, MPCA says
Xcel is cleaning up radioactive water spill at Monticello plant
Xcel and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency both said the 400,000-gallon spill posed no threat to drinking water or the nearby Mississippi River.
North Dakota oil and gas production rebounded in January
The nation's third-largest oil producing state has recovered slowly from pandemic disruptions.
Regulators approve $256M solar farm in southern Minnesota
County officials had objected because it would be located on more than 1,500 acres of prime farmland.
$115M Minnesota fund could help match federal grants for energy projects
The money would help utilities or governments when a matching fund is needed.
Xcel's plans for EV charging network spark strong opposition
The charging industry — and the state's Commerce Department — question Xcel's nearly $200 million ratepayer-funded plan for over 700 utility-owned chargers.
Cleveland-Cliffs, U.S. Steel vying for mineral rights in Nashwauk on Iron Range
The requests were made after the Minnesota Supreme Court upheld the Department of Natural Resources' termination of Mesabi Metallics' leases.
Minnesota Power asks Legislature for $25M toward $700M refurbishing of key power line
The line runs from Hermantown to North Dakota. The Duluth-based utility also is asking North Dakota for $25 million and the federal government for another $50 million.
3M subsidiary claims many military plaintiffs in earplug case did not suffer hearing loss
The Maplewood-based giant's Aearo Technologies subsidiary filed the claim — which plaintiff attorneys deny — in bankruptcy court.
Idled since May, iron ore operation in Babbitt and Silver Bay set to reopen
Minnesota state senator says mine operator Cleveland-Cliffs told him it is recalling workers with plans for an April reopening.
December weather resulted in North Dakota oil and gas output sinking 13%
It was the biggest one-month drop since April and was expected.
PolyMet, Teck complete Minnesota copper-nickel mine merger
The companies' joint venture comes as mine construction costs have risen sharply — but so have expectations for increased mining revenues.
Minnesota's new clean power mandate poses thorny and expensive challenges
New law that pushes utilities to adopt 100% carbon free electricity by 2040 will cut greenhouse gas emissions and lead to huge renewable power buildout.
Minnesota Power's parent company investing $875M in multistate power line
The $2.5 billion project that will run from North Dakota to Montana has Duluth-based Allete as one of the biggest investors.
Minnesota's Emmer, still a crypto booster, says Congress needs to step up oversight of regulators
The influential industry — and the collapse of FTX — present Congress with a conundrum.
