HF 2370

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/20/2012 01:08pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; regulating cost allocation for certain underground high-voltage
transmission lines; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter
216B.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [216B.1614] UNDERGROUND TRANSMISSION LINE; COST
ALLOCATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commission may not order the incremental cost of constructing a
high-voltage transmission line underground to be allocated to electric ratepayers residing
outside the city in which the high-voltage transmission line is proposed to be constructed
unless the commission determines that:
new text end

new text begin (1) underground construction is the least-cost option;
new text end

new text begin (2) underground construction is proposed by the utility that proposes the high-voltage
transmission line; or
new text end

new text begin (3) safety concerns require underground construction.
new text end

new text begin (b) For the purposes of this section:
new text end

new text begin (1) "high-voltage transmission line" means a transmission line of 100 kilovolts or
more and greater than 1,500 feet in length; and
new text end

new text begin (2) "incremental cost" means the additional cost of constructing a high-voltage
transmission line underground compared with constructing it above ground.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment
and applies to all proceedings in which the commission has not issued a final order
before January 1, 2012.
new text end