Minnesota Power Reaches Five-Year Contract

Minnesota Power-U.S. Steel Power Agreement secures a five-year industrial electricity supply for Iron Range taconite operations, covering Minntac and Keetac, as ALLETE seeks Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approval to reinforce premier energy provider status.

Minnesota Power, a Minnesota utility, has reached a five-year agreement to supply electricity to U.S. Steel through at least December 2021.

The largest taconite producer on Minnesota’s Iron Range, U.S. Steel owns the Minntac and Keetac taconite plants and mines on Minnesota’s Iron Range, with a combined production capacity of 22 million tons of iron ore pellets per year, as steelmakers globally explore green hydrogen steelmaking to cut emissions. U.S. Steel also has a 14.7 percent minority ownership interest in Hibbing Taconite Co., where the annual production capacity is 9.1 million tons of iron ore pellets.

“This agreement is a testament to Minnesota Power’s commitment to the future of mining on the Iron Range and to the enduring significance of the region’s natural resource industries,” said Alan R. Hodnik, ALLETE Chairman, President and CEO. “The strong working relationships Minnesota Power has cultivated over the years with U.S. Steel and other large industries in northeastern Minnesota laid the foundation for this agreement. Securing contracts with these large customers cements Minnesota Power’s position as the premier electric energy supplier to the Iron Range.”

Industry observers also note that a new U.S. coal plant has opened in a region with limited alternatives, highlighting how energy choices can vary by local conditions.

Minnesota Power filed a petition this week with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission requesting regulatory approval of the new contract, as some U.S. coal plants continue operating under regulatory oversight. ALLETE, Inc. is an energy company with headquarters in Duluth, Minnesota. In addition to its electric utilities, Minnesota Power and Superior Water, Light and Power of Wisconsin, ALLETE owns ALLETE Clean Energy, based in Duluth; BNI Energy in Center, North Dakota; U.S. Water Services in St. Michael, Minnesota; and has an 8 percent equity interest in the American Transmission Co., while the Transource transmission project demonstrates continued grid investment.

Related News

• Electricity Forum News

• Power Generation News