This is the landing page for the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s (Commerce) 2027-2029 Minnesota Cost-Effectiveness Advisory Committee (CAC). Information about the 2024-2026 process can be found here. The Department convened the current CAC to review and update the cost-effectiveness tests utilities will use to develop their 2027-2029 Energy Conservation and Optimization Act (ECO) Triennial filings.
12/28/25 Status – Department Staff issued informal data requests to utilities for data that will be included in Staff’s Proposed Decision. Staff distributed the summary document on 10/28/25 and received comments from stakeholders. Department Staff is currently developing the Proposed Decision for consideration by the Assistant Commissioner.
Notes and PowerPoint slides from CAC meetings between June 2024 and August 2025 can be found here.
Updating Cost-Effectiveness Models / Quantifying Impacts
The CAC reviewed elements of the Minnesota Cost Test (Minnesota Test), the primary cost-effectiveness tests Minnesota utilities use to evaluate cost-effectiveness of distributed energy resources (energy efficiency, load management, and efficient fuel switching). This web tracked the CACs progress and shares information related to proposed model updates and quantified impacts. The Committee agreed to update and quantify a specific set of Utility System (USI) and Non-Utility System Impacts (NUSI) that are components of the Minnesota Test. The sections that follow provide information on the USIs and NUSIs selected for update/quantification and track progress on efforts to date.
Draft Minnesota Energy Policy Inventory
Department Staff updated the Minnesota Energy Policy Inventory in August 2024. The inventory helps guide selection of impacts to include in the Minnesota Cost Test.
Utility System and Non-Utility System Impacts Considered for Review
The following graphic shows the Utility and Non-Utility System Impacts that the CAC is reviewing for updates/quantification.
Current and Proposed Changes to Utility and Non-Utility System Impacts
The following graphic shows the current (2024-2026 Triennial) Utility and Non-Utility System Impacts and proposed updates/revisions (2027-2029 Triennial).
