Rochester Public Utilities, other providers monitoring possible impacts of tariffs on Canadian energy products

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The world is watching to see the impact of new tariffs that went into effect at 12:01 Tuesday morning. The U.S. is now set to levy a 10% tariff on Canadian energy products.

Energy providers here at home said they are watching closely.

KTTC reached out to Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) to inquire whether local customers may be impacted.

RPU said local power reliability would not be, but it’s unclear about cost implications.

RPU purchases most of its electricity from its wholesale provider Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA). It also uses Midcontinent Independent System Operators (MISO) for additional needs, which does utilize Canadian energy.

MISO shared the following statement:

“This is a fluid situation and it is unclear whether the U.S. import tariffs apply to imports of electricity from Canada, and it is uncertain whether or when this will be resolved. MISO has received no confirmation from federal agencies regarding the duties’ applicability to electricity or who will be responsible for paying or collecting them.

In 2024, less than one percent of MISO’s total energy was supplied via Canadian imports and less than half of that came from Ontario. For context, that amount is equivalent to approximately one power plant. MISO manages the loss of power plants like this every day to ensure reliability across our footprint.”

So, the current message seems to be that it’s a waiting game.

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