Debate continues over proposed Minnesota Power Sale
The discussion surrounding the potential sale of ALLETE, the company that owns Minnesota Power, took to the Duluth City Hall’s council chambers on Monday evening.
Before the March 24 Duluth City Council Meeting, a representative from Minnesota Power gave a presentation to the council on decarbonization goals, as well as addressing questions from councilors on the potential acquisition. Afterwards, several members of the public took time to address the council on the proposed sale.
Detractors worried about the impacts of having a public utility company go private, saying it could impact rates, the decarbonization process, and Minnesota Power’s downtown Duluth offices.
“They say that GIP, the infrastructure holder, the primary buyout party, typically holds their investments for five to seven years. That means that when they say, ‘yes, our headquarters will stay in Duluth as long as we own it’, there’s a very good chance that in five to seven years, they will no longer own it. It will go on the market. And who knows who will buy it?” Wondered Beth Tamminen, a Duluth resident, and Minnesota Power shareholder.
Others spoke in support of the sale, saying the money that the potential new ownership would bring would help invest in further renewable power projects.
“If we want to have a clean energy transition, if we want to have reliable and affordable access to rates and service, then we have to have access to capital for businesses, and that’s what this is about.” said Matt Baumgartner, President of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Duluth City Council does not have any authority over the sale, the final approval of the proposal lies with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC).
MPUC plans to hold several public hearings on the matter during the month of April. The schedule of which can be found below. Comments to MPUC can be made on their website.
April 7, 2025
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Cloquet, MN
- 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Inn on Lake Superior, Duluth, MN
April 8, 2025
- 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Range Recreation Civic Center, Eveleth, MN
- 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Cohasset Community Center, Cohasset, MN
April 10, 2025
- 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
April 11, 2025
- 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Morrison County Government Center, Little Falls, MN