1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to energy; modifying or adding provisions relating to notice and 
1.3 	consultation meetings regarding permits for site selection of large electric 
1.4 	generating plant or route selection for high-voltage transmission line; making 
1.5 	clarifying changes;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 216E.03, 
1.6 	subdivision 4, by adding subdivisions.
1.7 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.8 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 216E.03, is amended by adding a 
1.9 	subdivision to read:
1.10 		Subd. 3a.Project notice. At least 120 days before filing an application with the 
1.11 	commission, the applicant shall provide notice to each local unit of government within 
1.12 	which a route may be proposed. The notice must describe the proposed project and the 
1.13 	opportunity for a preapplication consultation meeting with local units of government as 
1.14 	provided in subdivision 3b.

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

1.16 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 216E.03, is amended by adding a subdivision 
1.17 	to read:
1.18 		Subd. 3b.Preapplication consultation meetings. Within 30 days of receiving a 
1.19 	project notice, local units of government may request the applicant hold a consultation 
1.20 	meeting with local units of government. Upon receiving notice from a local unit of 
1.21 	government requesting a preapplication consultation meeting, the applicant shall arrange 
1.22 	the meeting at a location chosen by the local unit of government.

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

2.1 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 216E.03, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
2.2 		Subd. 4.Notice of Application notice. Within 15 days after submission of an 
2.3 	application to the commission, the applicant shall publish notice of the application in 
2.4 	a legal newspaper of general circulation in each county in which the site or route is 
2.5 	proposed and send a copy of the application by certified mail to any regional development 
2.6 	commission, county, incorporated municipality, and township town in which any part 
2.7 	of the site or route is proposed. Within the same 15 days, the applicant shall also send 
2.8 	a notice of the submission of the application and description of the proposed project to 
2.9 	each owner whose property is on or adjacent to any of the proposed sites for the power 
2.10 	plant or along any of the proposed routes for the transmission line. The notice shall must
2.11 	identify a location where a copy of the application can be reviewed. For the purpose 
2.12 	of giving mailed notice under this subdivision, owners shall be are those shown on the 
2.13 	records of the county auditor or, in any county where tax statements are mailed by the 
2.14 	county treasurer, on the records of the county treasurer; but other appropriate records may 
2.15 	be used for this purpose. The failure to give mailed notice to a property owner, or defects 
2.16 	in the notice, shall does not invalidate the proceedings, provided a bona fide attempt to 
2.17 	comply with this subdivision has been made. Within the same 15 days, the applicant shall 
2.18 	also send the same notice of the submission of the application and description of the 
2.19 	proposed project to those persons who have requested to be placed on a list maintained by 
2.20 	the commission for receiving notice of proposed large electric generating power plants 
2.21 	and high voltage transmission lines.

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