HF 602

2nd Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:39am

A bill for an act
relating to utilities; modifying provisions for recording proceedings of the Public
Utilities Commission; making technical corrections regarding the cold weather
rule; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 216A.03, subdivision 6, by
adding a subdivision; 216C.11.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 216A.03, subdivision 6, is amended to
read:

Subd. 6.

Record of proceedings.

An audio magnetic new text begin or audio electronic new text end recording
device shall be used to keep a record of all proceedings before the commission deleted text begin unless the
commission provides a hearing reporter to record the proceeding deleted text end .

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 216A.03, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 6a. new text end

new text begin Hearing reporter. new text end

new text begin A magnetically or electronically recorded record is
not required if the commission requires a hearing reporter to record the proceeding. The
commission may delegate to the executive secretary authority to require hearing reporter
services. The cost of hearing reporter services thus required must be borne by the utility,
telephone company, or telecommunications carrier that is the subject of the proceeding.
If more than one company is the subject of a proceeding, the commission, or if the
commission so delegates the executive secretary, shall determine how the hearing reporter
costs are to be allocated for the proceeding.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 216C.11, is amended to read:

216C.11 ENERGY CONSERVATION INFORMATION CENTER.

The commissioner shall establish an Energy Information Center in the department's
offices in St. Paul. The information center shall maintain a toll-free telephone information
service and disseminate printed materials on energy conservation topics, including but
not limited to, availability of loans and other public and private financing methods
for energy conservation physical improvements, the techniques and materials used to
conserve energy in buildings, including retrofitting or upgrading insulation and installing
weatherstripping, the projected prices and availability of different sources of energy,
and alternative sources of energy.

The Energy Information Center shall serve as the official Minnesota Alcohol Fuels
Information Center and shall disseminate information, printed, by the toll-free telephone
information service, or otherwise on the applicability and technology of alcohol fuels.

The information center shall include information on the potential hazards of energy
conservation techniques and improvements in the printed materials disseminated. The
commissioner shall not be liable for damages arising from the installation or operation of
equipment or materials recommended by the information center.

The information center shall use the information collected under section 216C.02,
subdivision 1, to maintain a central source of information on conservation and other
energy-related programs, including both programs required by law or rule and programs
developed and carried on voluntarily. In particular, the information center shall compile
and maintain information on policies covering disconnections or denials of fuel
during cold weather adopted by public utilities and other fuel suppliers not governed
by deleted text begin Minnesota Rules, parts 7820.1500 to 7820.2300 deleted text end new text begin section 216B.096 or 216B.097 new text end ,
including the number of households disconnected or denied fuel and the duration of the
disconnections or denials.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 4. new text begin REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.
new text end

new text begin (a) The revisor of statutes shall replace the phrase "parts 7820.1500 to 7820.2300" in
Minnesota Rules, part 7826.0200, with the phrase "Minnesota Statutes, sections 216B.096
and 216B.097."
new text end

new text begin (b) The revisor of statutes shall replace the phrase "chapter 7820" in Minnesota
Rules, part 7826.1500, item B, with the phrase "Minnesota Statutes, sections 216B.096
and 216B.097."
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