1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to energy; regulating the assessment of need and routing of certain 
1.3 	transmission lines.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. TRANSMISSION LINE; CERTIFICATE OF NEED REQUIRED 
1.6 	AND EVIDENCE REQUIRED.
 1.7 	(a) A high-voltage transmission line with a capacity of 100 kilovolts or more 
1.8 	proposed to be located within a city in the metropolitan area as defined in Minnesota 
1.9 	Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2, for which a route permit application was filed 
1.10 	between June 2011 and August 2011, and a certificate of need application was filed 
1.11 	between June 2012 and August 2012, to rebuild approximately eight miles of 69 kilovolt 
1.12 	transmission with a high-voltage transmission line to meet local area distribution needs, 
1.13 	must be approved in a certificate of need proceeding conducted under Minnesota Statutes, 
1.14 	section 216B.243. The certificate of need may be approved only if the commission finds 
1.15 	by clear and convincing evidence that there is no feasible and available distribution level 
1.16 	alternative to the transmission line. 
1.17 	(b) Further proceedings regarding the routing of a high-voltage transmission line 
1.18 	described in this section shall be suspended until the Public Utilities Commission has 
1.19 	made a determination that the transmission line is needed.

1.20 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment and 
1.21 	applies to route permits and certificate of need applications pending on or after that date.