Energy CENTS Coalition

02/27/2026

🔥 $13,000+ raised for utility bill relief.
💛 More families staying connected.
📬 Want updates on the fund and all things energy justice in Minnesota?

Sign up for our newsletter:
https://www.energycents.org/newsletter-signup

Learn more about the fund:
https://www.energycents.org/lights-homes-warm-fund-0

02/25/2026

We’re proud to share that the Lights, Homes & Warmth Fund has raised over $13,000 so far.

Transparency matters to us. If you want to see how the fund is progressing — and stay up to date on rate cases, Cold Weather Rule protections, and advocacy at the Capitol — our new newsletter is the best place to start.

📬 Subscribe here: https://www.energycents.org/newsletter-signup

🔥 Learn about the fund: https://www.energycents.org/lights-homes-warm-fund-0

Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay connected.

02/23/2026

When you give to the Lights, Homes & Warmth Fund, you’re helping keep Minnesotans connected to essential energy service.

When you sign up for our newsletter, you’re joining the movement for affordable utilities statewide.

📣 Want both impact and information?

🔥 Donate or learn about the fund → https://www.energycents.org/lights-homes-warm-fund-0

📬 Stay in the loop → https://www.energycents.org/newsletter-signup

Energy justice takes all of us.

02/21/2026

🤝 When nonprofits collaborate, communities win.

Together with our partners at CUB, we’ve raised over $13,000 for emergency utility bill relief through the Lights, Homes & Warmth Fund.

In a season of rising costs and cold temperatures, that support makes a real difference for households at risk of disconnection.

We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished — and grateful to everyone who gave, shared, or spread the word.

Join us → https://www.energycents.org/lights-homes-warm-fund-0

The devastating presence of federal occupation in our community has caused many of our neighbors to shelter at home. As a result, many have been unable to work and the businesses that serve those communities have seen foot traffic drop. Now, with utility bills coming due, families across the State a...

02/20/2026

💛 $13,000+ raised — and we’re just getting started.

Thanks to generous supporters, the Lights, Homes & Warmth Fund (in partnership with CUB) has raised over $13,000 to help Minnesotans facing high utility bills.

Want updates on how the fund is growing — and how we’re advancing energy justice across Minnesota?

📬 Sign up for our new monthly newsletter to stay informed about:
✔️ Fund updates
✔️ Utility policy news
✔️ Energy assistance programs
✔️ Ways to take action

🔗 Subscribe here: https://www.energycents.org/newsletter-signup

🔥 Learn about the fund: https://www.energycents.org/lights-homes-warm-fund-0

02/20/2026

📰 We’re honored to be featured in the Star Tribune.

As the paper reports, even as pandemic-era assistance has ended, many Minnesotans are still carrying a heavy backlog of unpaid utility bills. The financial strain hasn’t disappeared — it’s just shifted.

Energy CENTS Coalition and our partners at CUB launched the Lights, Homes & Warmth Fund to help households facing shutoff and mounting arrears. We’re proud that this effort — and the need behind it — is receiving statewide attention.

More than $13,000 has already been raised, thanks to generous supporters who believe no one should lose heat or electricity because of temporary hardship.

📖 Read the article here:
https://www.startribune.com/as-the-surge-recedes-a-backlog-of-utility-bills-remains-these-people-want-to-help/601582224

🔥 Learn more about the fund or donate:
https://www.energycents.org/lights-homes-warm-fund-0

Energy justice is about more than policy — it’s about people. Thank you for standing with us.

Nonprofits, lawmakers and neighbors are stepping up to help Minnesotans pay their overdue energy bills.

02/19/2026

🔥 $13,000 raised — and counting.

Thanks to generous supporters, the Lights, Homes & Warmth Fund has already surpassed $13,000 to support Minnesotans struggling with their utility bills.

Energy isn’t optional. It powers medical devices, keeps food safe, and protects families during freezing nights. This fund helps prevent shutoffs and keep homes safe.

Want to help us reach the next milestone?
🔗 Give today → https://www.energycents.org/lights-homes-warm-fund-0

The devastating presence of federal occupation in our community has caused many of our neighbors to shelter at home. As a result, many have been unable to work and the businesses that serve those communities have seen foot traffic drop. Now, with utility bills coming due, families across the State a...

02/18/2026

Because of your generosity, we’ve raised over $13,000 for the Lights, Homes & Warmth Fund — our emergency utility bill relief partnership with CUB.

Every dollar raised helps ensure families facing financial hardship can stay connected to essential electric and gas service.

This is what community looks like.
And we’re not done yet.

Help us keep the momentum going:
🔗 Donate here → https://www.energycents.org/lights-homes-warm-fund-0

02/13/2026

We're all stepping up to support our neighbors who have been impacted by federal operations in Minnesota. Energy CENTS Coalition, in partnership with the Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota - CUB , is launching the Lights On, Homes Warm Fund to provide direct relief to communities struggling to keep up with their utility bills.

Minnesotans take care of each other. Support our neighbors by donating to the Lights On, Homes Warm Fund and sharing it broadly.

If you know someone in need of utility bill support, contact the Citizens Utility Board: 651-300-4701 or [email protected]

Donate here :bit.ly/UtilityBillFundMN

02/12/2026

Here in Minnesota, we all know that many community members – our neighbors – have made the difficult decision to stay home and lose income simply to stay safe. But Minnesotans are stepping up: delivering groceries, providing safe transportation, and covering household expenses.

Energy CENTS Coalition, in partnership with the Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota - CUB , is launching the Lights On, Homes Warm Fund to provide direct relief to communities struggling to keep up with their utility bills. We can all agree: Access to electricity and heat are essential during Minnesota’s cold winter.

Minnesotans take care of each other. Support our neighbors by donating to the Lights On, Homes Warm Fund and sharing it broadly.

If you know someone in need of utility bill support, contact the Citizens Utility Board: 651-300-4701 or [email protected].

Donate here: bit.ly/UtilityBillFundMN

02/11/2026

⚠️ Twin Cities Metro: Xcel Disconnection Pause + Customer Help Options ⚠️

Sharing a time-sensitive update so people don’t miss it: Xcel Energy has rolled out short-term protections for homes and businesses in the Twin Cities Metro if you’re dealing with income loss, job disruption, safety issues, or other hardship.

- No residential or commercial shutoffs in the 7-county metro until the end of February
- This protection is automatic — you don’t have to call to be covered
- Your bill will still keep running, so it can be smart to contact Xcel to reduce the chance of a bigger balance later

If you reach out to Xcel, ask specifically about:
- Payment arrangements that may require smaller down payments than usual
-A late-fee waiver (Xcel allows one per year if you request it)
- Staying on percent-of-income affordability programs even if you miss a payment (temporary protection from removal)
- Support for customers facing immigration-related impacts, safety concerns, or loss of income (Xcel says agents have been directed to treat these as extenuating circumstances)

Language + privacy:
Xcel says customer information is protected under Minnesota privacy laws/utility rules, and they provide bilingual support plus interpreters for major metro languages.

📞 Xcel Customer Service: 800-895-4999
🌐 Online billing/payment page: https://mn.my.xcelenergy.com/s/billing-payment/manage-bill

🔒 Privacy policy: https://mn.my.xcelenergy.com/s/privacy

Please forward/share with anyone in the metro who might be worried about utility service right now.

Take control of your bill and how you pay in a variety of ways.

02/10/2026

🚀 ECC’s website refresh is live — and it’s built to be easier to use!

We made it more mobile-friendly, added a news section, and launched a newsletter so you can stay in the loop on energy affordability and consumer protections.

Check it out: https://www.energycents.org/
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.energycents.org/newsletter-signup

The Energy CENTS Coalition offers help with energy bills and energy conservation assistance programs in Minnesota.