Attorney General Ellison wins order preventing power company from disconnecting consumer with life-sustaining medical equipment
Minnesota law requires energy providers to continue service to customers with life-sustaining medical equipment that requires power
May 15, 2026 (SAINT PAUL) — This evening, Attorney General Ellison won a temporary restraining order requiring electrical provider Minnesota Valley Cooperative Light and Power Association (Minnesota Valley) to restore electrical service to a consumer the utility company had previously disconnected, despite the consumer’s need for electricity to power life-sustaining medical equipment. The temporary restraining order requires Minnesota Valley to restore electrical service within six hours to the consumer, C.W., who is being identified by their initials to protect their privacy. The order further requires Minnesota Valley to confirm it restored C.W.’s power within one hour of doing so.
The court’s order was issued in response to a lawsuit and motion for a temporary restraining order filed by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office on the evening of May 15 over the disconnection.
"I’m pleased to have won an emergency court order protecting a Minnesotan from a power disconnection that jeopardized their life,” said Attorney General Ellison. “Minnesota Valley’s disconnection of this individual was as cruel as it was unlawful. I will not allow any business to put their profit before Minnesotans’ ability to survive.”
Minnesota law clearly requires energy providers to “reconnect or continue service to a customer's residence... where medical equipment requiring electricity necessary to sustain life is in use,” as long as the electrical provider receives notice from a medical professional that such equipment is necessary to sustain their life.
After C.W. received notice that Minnesota Valley intended to disconnect their power, they provided Minnesota Valley with notice from their advanced practice nurse that they required power “to sustain life and prevent serious medical harm” on May 12. Later that day, C.W. filed a complaint with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office about their impending disconnection. When the Office contacted Minnesota Valley to inform the utility company that C.W.’s medical equipment required electricity, a representative for Minnesota Valley told the Office that C.W. was behind on their bills and would need to make “alternate arrangements,” despite the fact that Minnesota Valley has a monopoly on energy service in C.W.’s area.
On May 13, Minnesota Valley disconnected C.W.’s power.
The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office contacted Minnesota Valley again and requested C.W.’s power be restored based on medical necessity. Minnesota Valley refused. The Office requested that a payment plan be set up. C.W. had recently completed an application for energy assistance, and an $800 payment had recently been made to their account by an energy assistance provider. Minnesota Valley declined. The Office notified Minnesota Valley that state law required the company to restore C.W.’s power. A representative for Minnesota Valley laughed and hung up the phone.
Attorney General Ellison’s lawsuit alleges that Minnesota Valley’s actions violated numerous state laws, including Residential customer protections contained in Minnesota Statutes section 216B.098, subdivision 5(a), as well as the Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act and asks the court to halt Minnesota Valley’s unlawful actions.
May 16, 2026: Update
The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office has received confirmation that C.W.’s power has been restored.
