as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/16/2011 09:50am
Engrossments | ||
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Introduction | Posted on 03/16/2011 |
A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; requiring Public Utilities Commission to submit to the
legislature proposed legislation establishing protocol for investigating complaints
of stray voltage on dairy and livestock operations; creating a task force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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By July 1, 2011, the Minnesota Public Utilities
Commission shall appoint, unless otherwise specified below, and convene members of a
Stray Voltage Advisory Task Force to make recommendations to the commission with
respect to the rulemaking authorized in subdivision 2. The task force members must
include representatives from:
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(1) the Minnesota Milk Producers Association;
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(2) the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association;
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(3) the Minnesota Rural Electric Cooperative Association;
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(4) an investor-owned utility providing electric service to a significant number of
dairy farms or livestock operations;
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(5) the Minnesota Department of Agriculture;
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(6) the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission;
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(7) the Minnesota Office of Energy Security;
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(8) the University of Minnesota extension service;
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(9) the Minnesota Farmers Union;
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(10) an electrical engineer who has served as a consultant on stray-voltage issues;
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(11) two farmers who have filed complaints with the commission on stray-voltage
issues;
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(12) two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker; and
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(13) two members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate.
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The commission shall provide technical and administrative staff to the task force.
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By March 1, 2012, the commission shall submit
to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with primary
responsibility for energy policy and agricultural policy proposed legislation governing
procedures a utility must undertake to investigate and remediate complaints from
customers receiving electric service who suspect that stray voltage may be adversely
affecting their dairy or livestock operations. The proposed legislation must address, at a
minimum, the following:
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(1) creation of a uniform stray voltage complaint form that all utilities must use;
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(2) creation of a comprehensive definition of "stray voltage" that addresses customer
concerns;
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(3) a protocol for on-site investigation by a utility of a stray voltage complaint,
including:
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(i) investigating wiring that is a potential source of stray voltage;
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(ii) testing and measuring requirements, and the conditions under which testing
must be conducted; and
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(iii) specifying the timing of testing procedures, both in terms of length and in
relation to peak daily demand of the customer and the utility; and
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(4) remediation of conditions causing stray voltage and who will pay for the
remediation.
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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