Side by side (ND, EIA-861)
| Metric | Northern States Power Co - Minnesota | Cass County Elec Coop Inc |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 average price, ¢/kWh | 12.11 | 12.45 |
| 2023 average price, ¢/kWh | 11.97 | 11.96 |
| Annual cost at 10,800 kWh, $/yr | $1,308 | $1,344 |
| Residential customers (2024) | 82,987 | 51,968 |
| Ownership | Investor-owned | Co-op |
| Counties served in ND | 5 | 8 |
Average price = residential revenue ÷ sales (bundled service): the all-in price customers actually paid, including supply, delivery and riders. Profiles: Northern States Power Co - Minnesota · Cass County Elec Coop Inc · North Dakota overview.
Where the territories meet
Both utilities file EIA-861 service territory in: Cass · Traill counties (ND, 2024).
Adjoining or overlapping territory in a county does not mean households there can pick between the two — service maps are parcel-level and fixed. The county overlap mainly matters when choosing where to live or comparing town-level costs.
Can you actually choose between them?
No — not for delivery. Distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; Northern States Power Co - Minnesota and Cass County Elec Coop Inc do not compete for the same meters. North Dakota is a regulated retail market — there is no residential supplier shopping; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings (psc.nd.gov). The price gap above mainly matters when choosing where to live, comparing towns, or benchmarking your bill.
Questions people ask
- Is Northern States Power Co - Minnesota cheaper than Cass County Elec Coop Inc?
- Yes — in 2024 Northern States Power Co - Minnesota customers averaged 12.11 cents/kWh versus 12.45 for Cass County Elec Coop Inc (EIA-861). Northern States Power Co - Minnesota was cheaper by 0.33 cents, about $36 per year at 10,800 kWh.
- Can I switch from Cass County Elec Coop Inc to Northern States Power Co - Minnesota?
- No — distribution territories are exclusive and set by address; you cannot pick between the two wires companies. North Dakota has no residential supplier shopping either; rates are set in utility-commission proceedings.
- Why is Cass County Elec Coop Inc more expensive than Northern States Power Co - Minnesota?
- EIA-861 averages reflect everything customers actually paid — supply costs, delivery rates, riders, and surcharges across each territory. Differences in generation mix, grid investment, storm costs, and customer density between Cass County Elec Coop and Northern States Power Co - Minnesota territory all feed the 0.33-cent gap.