RFP Masthead




*Request for Proposals*

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*"Consultant to Evaluate, Review and Write Testimony on Xcel Energy’s Wildfire Mitigation Proposal and to determine reasonable rate recovery of related expenses and capital costs in the current Minnesota contested rate case proceeding"*

The Minnesota Commerce Department, Division of Energy Resources (Department) seeks a technical expert or experts to assist with its review of the Xcel Energy’s Wildfire Proposal and determine reasonable rate recovery of related expenses and capital costs in Docket E002/GR-24-320.  This will allow the Department to fully participate in these investigative proceedings to represent the public interest. Through written testimony or expert reports, the selected responder(s) will be asked to analyze and explain, at a minimum, the Wildfire Proposal issues listed in the Commission’s Notice and Order.  In addition, the Department may have additional questions for the consultant to evaluate regarding the Wildfire Proposal and rate recovery of related expense and capital costs. In the course of this work, the selected responder(s) will also assist with developing written discovery topics and questions, and review Department briefs for technical accuracy.

On November 1, 2024, Northern States Power Company, d/b/a Xcel Energy (NSP, Xcel or the Company) filed a general rate case and submitted its request for a multi-year rate plan (MYRP) pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 216B.16, subds. 1 and 19 [ [link removed] ], to increase rates for electric service in Minnesota in Docket No. E002/GR-24-320 (2024 Rate Case).

On December 30, 2024, the Commission issued its "NOTICE OF AND ORDER FOR HEARING" (Notice and Order).  Ordering Point No. 3 stated:

The Commission requests that the Department seek authorization under Minn. Stat. § 216B.62 [ [link removed] ] from the Commissioner of Management and Budget to incur costs for specialized technical professional investigative services to develop and evaluate the record on the Company’s claimed prepaid pension asset and the Company’s *wildfire mitigation costs*, peak pricing, and demand-response programs.

Moreover, the Commission stated in its Notice and Order on pages 3 and 5 that it expects parties will thoroughly develop a full record, addressing at a minimum, the following for wildfire mitigation costs:

What wildfire mitigation costs should be approved, and the impact these measures will have on other areas of Company operations, including Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration (FLISR), Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS), vegetation management, and pole replacements.

The extent to which the Marshall Wildfire in Colorado and the 2024 Smokehouse Creek Fire Complex in Texas affect the insurance premium, rate of return, or borrowing costs for the MN jurisdiction.

As a result, the Department is seeking a technical expert or experts to assist with its review of the Xcel’s wildfire mitigation proposal and related costs to allow the Department to fully participate in these investigative proceedings and represent the public interest. Through written testimony or expert reports, the selected responder(s) will be asked to analyze and explain Xcel’s wildfire mitigation proposal and costs as discussed above in the Commission’s Notice and Order.  In the course of this work, the selected responder(s) will also assist with developing written discovery topics and questions, and review Department briefs for technical accuracy.

The Department seeks a responder or responders that can assist in reviewing all aspects of Xcel’s wildfire mitigation proposal, including review and determination of if expenses and capital costs related wildfire mitigation should be included in Xcel’s electric energy rates charged to Minnesota customers.  Additionally, a review to determine any impacts to insurance expense and cost of capital charged to Minnesota caused by wildfires in other states. "In ""addition, the responder may be asked to address additional questions as determined jointly by the Department and responder regarding the reasonable rate recovery of wildfire mitigation costs in Xcel’s MYRP. "

A Request for Proposals (RFP) is available for download on the Department’s RFP website at Request for Proposals (RFP) / Minnesota Department of Commerce - Business (mn.gov) [ [link removed] ].

*Late proposals will not be considered.* Instructions and links for submitting bids are detailed in the RFP and attachments.

This request does not obligate the State to complete the work contemplated in this notice.  The State reserves the right to cancel this solicitation. All expenses incurred in responding to this notice are solely the responsibility of the responder.

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*Minnesota Department of Commerce | Energy Division
*85 7th Place East, Suite 280 | St. Paul, MN 55101*
*Email: [email protected]
Local: 651-539-1886 | Greater MN: 1-800-657-3710

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