Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
St. Paul, Minn. (AP)

Court rules against PUC in CenterPoint cost recovery case

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The Minnesota Court of Appeals says the state's utilities regulator must reconsider its decision to block CenterPoint Energy from recovering $21 million from customers that it underbilled over four years.

The court said in a ruling on Tuesday that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commissions' decision was arbitrary and capricious because it didn't follow its own precedents or announce new rules.

CenterPoint claimed that due to an accounting error it failed to account for $28 million worth of natural gas it delivered to customers over five years.

The PUC let it make up for one year of the underbilling, but denied the company's request for a variance to commission rules to go after the rest. The regulators said it wasn't in the public's interest, among other reasons.

A spokeswoman for CenterPoint said the company is evaluating Tuesday's ruling. The representative of the PUC had no immediate comment.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)