Officials Demanded Investigation Into Xcel Billing Errors
Minnesota leaders have called for an independent audit of Xcel Energy following persistent reports of billing inaccuracies.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Utilities
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St. Paul and Roseville officials have requested a formal investigation into Xcel Energy after citing widespread billing failures. The push follows a dramatic increase in consumer complaints regarding the utility company’s current metering and payment systems.
Why it matters
Municipal leaders believe the billing errors are systemic and unresolved, affecting both public properties and residents. The request highlights growing concern over the utility's ability to accurately manage account data and credits across its service area.
Public complaints against Xcel Energy rose to 1,200 in 2025, compared to 200 in 2019. Additionally, one St. Paul city facility has accumulated over $20,000 in account credits due to persistent errors.
The players
Keith Ellison
He serves as the Attorney General of Minnesota and oversees legal advocacy for state residents and consumers.
Kaohly Her
She serves as the Mayor of St. Paul and represents the city's interests in regulatory matters.
Xcel Energy
This major utility company provides electricity and natural gas services to millions of customers across several states.
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
This state regulatory body oversees the operations and billing practices of utility providers within Minnesota.
The details
Xcel Energy attributed the errors to the implementation of new technology, including an Itron billing platform and a new meter device inventory system. The company has since increased its billing staff by approximately 40 percent to address the issues, though officials continue to report that payments and usage data are being incorrectly routed to the wrong accounts.
Timeline
Public complaints reached 1,200 annually by 2025.
A Roseville property experienced billing failure 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 complaint letters in September 2026.
Market Landscape
This dispute reflects an intensifying regulatory scrutiny of major utility service providers that struggle to modernize their infrastructure. The situation highlights the competitive and operational friction occurring as legacy utilities move to automate billing platforms while facing increased oversight.
Residents and business owners should audit their utility statements for unexplained credits or usage gaps. If account discrepancies persist, customers are encouraged to report these issues to state regulators as the commission evaluates the company's billing performance.
The takeaway
Reliable billing is a fundamental expectation of utility customers that remains compromised during large-scale technological transitions. Consumers should stay proactive in monitoring their statements until the utility provider resolves its internal system errors.
Further reading
Learn more about local oversight in our Utilities section.
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