SF 4901

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 03/27/2026 09:21 a.m.

A bill for an act
relating to energy; requiring the inclusion of nuclear power as an optional resource
in a utility's integrated resource plan; requiring the state to apply for federal funding
related to nuclear-powered electric generating plants; amending Minnesota Statutes
2024, section 216B.2422, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 216C.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.2422, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Resource plan filing and approval.

(a) A utility shall file a resource plan with
the commission periodically in accordance with rules adopted by the commission. The
commission shall approve, reject, or modify the plan of a public utility, as defined in section
216B.02, subdivision 4, consistent with the public interest.

(b) In the resource plan proceedings of all other utilities, the commission's order shall
be advisory and the order's findings and conclusions shall constitute prima facie evidence
which may be rebutted by substantial evidence in all other proceedings. With respect to
utilities other than those defined in section 216B.02, subdivision 4, the commission shall
consider the filing requirements and decisions in any comparable proceedings in another
jurisdiction.

(c) As a part of its resource plan filing, a utility shall include the least cost plan for
meeting 50 and 75 percent of all energy needs from both new and refurbished generating
facilities through a combination of conservation and renewable energy resources.

new text begin (d) Notwithstanding section 216B.243, subdivision 3b, paragraph (a), a utility that
provides electric service may include the deployment of nuclear-powered electric generating
plants in the utility's resource plan filing. If a nuclear-powered electric generating plant is
not selected as a preferred resource, the utility must present the reasons why the utility made
that determination.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and
applies to integrated resource plans filed after September 1, 2026.
new text end

Sec. 2.

new text begin [216C.395] APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FUNDING; NUCLEAR POWER;
REPORTS.
new text end

new text begin (a) The department must monitor federal funding opportunities related to nuclear-powered
electric generating plants and must apply for all projects for which Minnesota is eligible.
new text end

new text begin (b) No later than February 1, 2027, and by February 1 each year thereafter, the department
must submit a written report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over energy finance and policy documenting each application
filed under paragraph (a) and the results of each application. For all projects for which the
department did not submit an application, the department must include the reason why the
department determined that Minnesota is an ineligible applicant.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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