HF 2924

1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/20/2014 05:11pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; regulating siting large electric power generating plants;
allowing solar generation facilities to be eligible for alternative review; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2012, sections 216E.01, by adding a subdivision; 216E.04,
subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216E.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216E.01, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 8a. new text end

new text begin Solar energy generating system. new text end

new text begin "Solar energy generating system"
means a set of devices whose primary purpose is to produce electricity by means of any
combination of collecting, transferring, or converting solar-generated energy.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [216E.021] SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM SIZE DETERMINATION.
new text end

new text begin (a) This section must be used to determine whether a combination of solar energy
generating systems meets the definition of large electric power generating plant and is
subject to the commission's siting authority jurisdiction under this chapter. The alternating
current nameplate capacity of one solar energy generating system must be combined with
the alternating current nameplate capacity of any other solar energy generating system that:
new text end

new text begin (1) is constructed within the same 12-month period as the solar energy generating
system; and
new text end

new text begin (2) exhibits characteristics of being a single development, including but not limited
to ownership structure, an umbrella sales arrangement, shared interconnection, revenue
sharing arrangements, and common debt or equity financing.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of commerce shall provide forms and assistance for applicants
to make a request for a size determination. Upon written request of an applicant, the
commissioner shall provide a written size determination within 30 days of receipt of the
request and of any information requested by the commissioner. In the case of a dispute,
the chair of the Public Utilities Commission shall make the final size determination.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216E.04, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Applicable projects.

The requirements and procedures in this section
apply to the following projects:

(1) large electric power generating plants with a capacity of less than 80 megawatts;

(2) large electric power generating plants that are fueled by natural gas;

(3) high-voltage transmission lines of between 100 and 200 kilovolts;

(4) high-voltage transmission lines in excess of 200 kilovolts and less than five miles
in length in Minnesota;

(5) high-voltage transmission lines in excess of 200 kilovolts if at least 80 percent
of the distance of the line in Minnesota will be located along existing high-voltage
transmission line right-of-way;

(6) a high-voltage transmission line service extension to a single customer between
200 and 300 kilovolts and less than ten miles in length; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(7) a high-voltage transmission line rerouting to serve the demand of a single
customer when the rerouted line will be located at least 80 percent on property owned or
controlled by the customer or the owner of the transmission line new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (8) large electric power generating plants that are powered by solar new text end .

Sec. 4. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin This act is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end