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The MN Public Utilities Commission has scheduled a North Branch electric service territory adjustment at its regular December meeting.  The state Public Utilities Commission is being asked by North Branch and East Central Energy to authorize revisions to the boundary that currently describes where state regulated utilities are allowed to operate.  

Action will make it possible for the Water & Light Commission to sell the electric assets to the cooperative.  

The Water & Light utility commissioners have repeatedly been advised in their meetings at North Branch city hall by Chair Nathan Keech that it is desired that the sale be finalized by the end of 2022.

Customers of North Branch Water & Light’s electric division received official notice of the in-process sale,  in a letter dated November 23.

The Public Utilities Commission had learned in its review leading up to scheduling of the requested action in materials provided to the Dept of Commerce— that an earlier utility billing insert given to Water & Light customers did not comply with legal requirements for customer notice. This late November letter was distributed in an effort to comply with the rules;  by including clear information on the parties and their contact information.  

The PUC agenda notes there will be legal and process issues that require addressing at the December 15 session.   A state utility commission staff person tells the Press the contested issues specific to this docket don’t get released to the public until Friday this week (tomorrow.). They will be posted with docket details on-line. (E docket number is 22-388.)

If the sale should be delayed, the utility has a plan B for extending its budgeting and other financial decisions on a month-by month basis, according to Water & Light commissioner  discussions.

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