SF 2589

1st Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/04/2010 11:43am

A bill for an act
relating to utilities; regulating the granting of route permits for high-voltage
transmission lines; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 216E.03, by
adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 216E.03, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 7a. new text end

new text begin Preferred routes for high-voltage transmission lines. new text end

new text begin The commission
shall, to the extent consistent with the policies of subdivision 7, give preference, in the
following priority, to routes that utilize to the greatest extent:
new text end

new text begin (1) existing utility corridors; and
new text end

new text begin (2) highway right-of-way.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin TRANSMISSION LINE ROUTING; DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) The Public Utilities Commission and the Department of Transportation must
cooperate in developing and implementing processes and policies to efficiently implement
the policy in new Minnesota Statutes, section 216E.03, subdivision 7a, that assigns a
preference for routing high-voltage transmission lines in highway rights-of-way.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commission must report any statutory amendments required by the
policies and procedures to the chairs and ranking minority members of the energy policy
committees of the legislature by January 15, 2011.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Sections 1 and 2 are effective the day following final enactment.
new text end