1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to energy; requiring utility rebate programs for certain thermostats;
1.3 	amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216B.241, by adding a subdivision.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216B.241, is amended by adding a 
1.6 	subdivision to read:
1.7 		Subd. 11.Rebates; qualifying thermostats. (a) By October 1, 2014, each 
1.8 	Minnesota utility must file with the department a program to provide a rebate to defray 
1.9 	by at least 50 percent the cost of a qualifying thermostat purchased and installed by a 
1.10 	residential heating customer. The department shall review each rebate program and may 
1.11 	approve, reject, or modify it. A rebate program approved by the department must be made 
1.12 	available to a utility's customers within 60 days of the approval.
1.13 	(b) Energy savings achieved through the operation of a qualifying thermostat may be 
1.14 	applied toward the utility's energy savings goal in subdivision 1c.
1.15 	(c) For the purposes of this subdivision:
1.16 	(1) "qualifying thermostat" means a temperature-sensing device that:
1.17 	(i) establishes and maintains a desired temperature automatically by actuating 
1.18 	heat-providing equipment;
1.19 	(ii) can be programmed remotely via software that is accessed by a computer or 
1.20 	smart phone;
1.21 	(iii) is capable of self-programming based on recently experienced temperature 
1.22 	settings; and
1.23 	(iv) has been deemed cost-effective by the department;
2.1 	(2) "residential heating customer" means a person who purchases energy from a 
2.2 	utility to heat the interior of a residence; and
2.3 	(3) "smart phone" means a handheld cellular phone or other handheld mobile 
2.4 	device built on a mobile operating system and possessing advanced computing capability. 
2.5 	Features a smart phone may possess include, but are not limited to, built-in applications, 
2.6 	Internet access, digital voice service, text messaging, e-mail, and Web browsing.

2.7 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.