Officials Demanded Investigation Into Xcel Billing Errors
Minnesota municipal leaders want an outside review after widespread utility billing failures and errors.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Utilities
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St. Paul and Roseville officials have requested an independent investigation into Xcel Energy over persistent billing errors and data failures. These systemic issues follow the utility's transition to new metering technology.
Why it matters
The requested probe highlights the operational risks of large-scale technology upgrades, as municipal facilities struggle with significant credit imbalances and billing inaccuracies. These concerns mirror a broader escalation in consumer frustration with the provider.
Public complaints against Xcel reached 1,200 in 2025, up from 200 in 2019, while one St. Paul facility now holds more than $20,000 in accumulated credits. The utility company previously increased its billing staff by 40 percent to address mounting operational difficulties.
The players
Xcel Energy
A major utility provider operating electricity and natural gas services across multiple states.
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
The state regulatory agency responsible for overseeing utility rates and service compliance.
Keith Ellison
The Attorney General of Minnesota who advocates for consumer protection in utility oversight.
Kaohly Her
The Mayor of St. Paul who is leading the municipal effort to hold the utility accountable.
The details
Xcel Energy has faced challenges integrating an Itron billing platform and a new meter inventory system, which currently cause the utility to misapply credits to the wrong accounts. A Roseville property notably went without usage data or billing for eight months between July 2024 and April 2025. The company uses a third-party provider for its smart payment metering, contributing to the complexity of the ongoing transition.
Timeline
Public complaints rose to 200 in 2019.
A Roseville property lacked billing data from July 2024 to April 2025.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission opened a public docket in fall 2025.
St. Paul and state officials filed formal complaints in September 2026.
Xcel plans to perform the next round of credit checks in April 2027.
Market Landscape
The push for an outside probe follows the establishment of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission billing practices docket. This move reflects a growing trend of municipal pressure on utilities during complex technological transitions.
Operators should audit their own utility accounts to ensure credits and usage figures match physical meter readings. If inaccuracies are found, contact the utility immediately to document the discrepancy for potential future regulatory review.
The takeaway
Large-scale utility technology migrations often create significant accounting gaps that require proactive verification by commercial customers. Businesses should maintain independent logs of utility usage to facilitate dispute resolution when automated billing systems fail.
What happens next
Xcel Energy is scheduled to conduct a new round of credit checks in April 2027.
Further reading
For more on local utility oversight, see Utilities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Twin Cities.
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