Minnesota Regulators Split RECs between Xcel Energy, Renewable Generators
9/7/2010

Summary:

Stoel Rives attorney Bill Holmes commented in Finance & Commerce on a Minnesota Public Utilities Commission ("MPUC") ruling that partially resolved a dispute between Xcel Energy and 47 renewable energy generators over the issue of who owns "renewable energy credits" ("RECs"). Under terms of the MPUC's action, which has not yet been published, generators that contracted with Xcel under the 1978 federal Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act will keep RECs generated by their facilities. For renewable PPAs signed under 1994 state wind and biomass energy mandates, Xcel owns the RECs - unless generators can prove otherwise.

Holmes said the MPUC's decision to split REC ownership between the federal and state wind and biomass mandate "doesn't surprise me, because there's precedent ... It's not a bad resolution."

"Minnesota state regulators split RECs between Xcel Energy, renewable generators" was published by Finance & Commerce, August 30, 2010.