Minnesota Power, an ALLETE Company

With a flat rate, you pay the same energy charge per kilowatthour no matter how much energy you use. This is generally how electric utilities in Minnesota charge for energy used.

Effective October 1, 2023, the flat rate for residential customers changed from $0.08384/kWh to $0.09403/kWh. The discount will remain in place for customers who:

• continue to average 1,000 kWh or less per month AND
• are either approved for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or inform Minnesota Power that they are income-qualified through a self-declaration process.
• Customers who are income-qualified through Minnesota Power's self-declaration process must be renew every two (2) years if they claim variable income, and every four (4) years if they claim a fixed income. To renew, use the Residential Service Discount Eligibility Application below.

The discount amount on up to the first 600 kilowatt-hours for eligible customers changed from -$0.03229 to -$0.03761 in October, 2023. The impact on your bill from changing the flat rate and discount will depend on your energy usage and income eligibility. Customers who are income-eligible and average 1,000 kilowatt-hours or less per month will receive a discount on up to their first 600 kilowatt-hours of energy used each month. Starting in October 2023, this means that the energy charge for the first 600 kilowatt-hours for income- and usage-qualified customers will be $0.05642/ kWh. The changes from phase 1 to phase 2 and then in October, 2023 are summarized as follows:

No, this change is not an increase to rates, but it is a change to the pricing structure for energy used.

Our block rates were in place for many years—even as energy sources have changed. For example, in 2005, Minnesota Power had 95% coal-based energy and today we are delivering 50% renewable energy with a vision to deliver 100% carbon-free energy. You can learn more about EnergyForward and our vision for a clean-energy future at www.mnpower.com/CarbonFreeEnergyVision.

Changing how rates are structured will set the stage for the electric grid of the future by recognizing the shift to more renewable energy and enabling a better match of energy usage to the hours when renewable energy is most abundant. We developed our multiyear plan with input from consumer groups, policymakers and other interested parties.

Our phased transition:

• Simplifies a complicated and often confusing rate structure.
• Provides a discount for customers who are income eligible and use 1,000 kWh or less per month, on average.
• Gives customers more control over how they use energy and their bill.
• Opens the door to additional products and services to benefit customers.
• Reflects changes in technology, what customers want, and state and federal energy policy goals.