3-2500-17033-2

E-002/GR-05-1428

STATE OF MINNESOTA

OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

FOR THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

In the Matter of the Application of Northern States Power Company d/b/a Xcel Energy for Authority to Increase Rates for Electric Service in Minnesota

SECOND PREHEARING ORDER

This matter is before Administrative Law Judge Kathleen D. Sheehy. Pursuant to the First Prehearing Order, several persons petitioned to intervene as a party by the February 3, 2006, deadline.

Based on the files and proceedings herein, the Administrative Law Judge makes the following:

ORDER

1. The following persons filed petitions to intervene: Minnesota Power; an association of large commercial customers, including, but not limited to, Best Buy, Big Lots Stores, Inc., Federated Department Stores, Kohl’s Corporation, Lowe’s Home Centers, Inc., and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (the Commercial Group); Otter Tail Corporation, d/b/a Otter Tail Power Company; the Board of Water Commissioners of the City of St. Paul; International Paper Corporation; and the Metropolitan Counties Energy Task Force. No objections were filed with regard to these petitions to intervene. The petitions to intervene are granted, and those persons have party status.

2. The IBEW Local Union Nos. 23 and 949 were granted party status in the First Prehearing Order. Local Union No. 160 subsequently filed a petition to intervene. On February 21, 2006, IBEW Local Union Nos. 23, 160, and 949 filed a notice of withdrawal and asked to be removed from the service list. The motion to withdraw is granted.

Dated this 24th day of February, 2006.

	/s/Kathleen D. Sheehy
KATHLEEN D. SHEEHY
Administrative Law Judge