Minnesota utility commissioners on Thursday castigated a rural electric cooperative for threatening to cut power to the Upper Sioux Community’s casino if the tribe turns on a solar array.
The state Public Utilities Commission voted 4-0 to investigate a complaint from Upper Sioux, which alleges that the threat by the Minnesota Valley Cooperative Light and Power Association is illegal and discriminatory.
The commission said they might take an extraordinary step of taking away Minnesota Valley’s right to serve the tribe with power and handing it to another provider, such as nearby Xcel Energy. The commissioners then asked state attorneys to take legal action if necessary to prevent a shutoff.
