<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>utilities;amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 216H.03, subdivision 7.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.1.0"></a><a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 216H.03, subdivision 7, is amended to <br/>
<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>read:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>    Subd. 7. <b>Other exemptions.</b> The prohibitions in subdivision 3 do not apply to:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>    (1) a new large energy facility under consideration by the Public Utilities <br/>
<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>Commission pursuant to proposals or applications filed with the Public Utilities <br/>
<a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>Commission before April 1, 2007, or to any power purchase agreement related to a facility <br/>
<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>described in this clause. The exclusion of pending proposals and applications from the <br/>
<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>prohibitions in subdivision 3 does not limit the applicability of any other law and is not an <br/>
<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>expression of legislative intent regarding whether any pending proposal or application <br/>
<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>should be approved or denied;<br/>
<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>    (2) a contract not subject to commission approval that was entered into prior to <br/>
<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>April 1, 2007, to purchase power from a new large energy facility that was approved by <br/>
<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>a comparable authority in another state prior to that date, for which municipal or public <br/>
<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>power district bonds have been issued, and on which construction has begun; or<br/>
<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>    (3) a new large energy facility or a power purchase agreement between a Minnesota <br/>
<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>utility and a new large energy facility located outside Minnesota that the Public <br/>
<a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>Utilities Commission has determined is essential to ensure the long-term reliability of <br/>
<a id="pl.1.22"></a><var>1.22</var>Minnesota's electric system, to allow electric service for increased industrial demand, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.23"></a><var>1.23</var>or to avoid placing a substantial financial burden on Minnesota ratepayers. An order <br/>
<a id="pl.1.24"></a><var>1.24</var>of the commission granting an exemption under this clause is stayed until the June 1 <br/>
<a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>following the next regular or annual session of the legislature that begins after the date of <br/>
<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>the commission's final order; or<br/>
<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>(4) 2,500 megawatts of electric generating capacity, in aggregate, from new large <br/>
<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>energy facilities or power purchase agreements with new large energy facilities that:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>(i) are fueled by feedstock coal that on a moist, mineral-matter-free basis has a <br/>
<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>calorific value averaging less than 8,500 Btus per pound, or beneficiated coal derived <br/>
<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>from such coal; and<br/>
<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>(ii) began construction after April 1, 2007.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>Projects will receive priority for exemption under this clause based on the shortest amount <br/>
<a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>of time after April 1, 2007, and the date construction of a new large energy facility begins <br/>
<a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>or a power purchase agreement with a new large energy facility is signed, as applicable, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>until the 2,500 megawatt aggregate capacity limit is reached.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var><b>EFFECTIVE DATE.</b>This section is effective the day following final enactment.<br/>