HF 1157

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 03/16/2011 09:50am

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; requiring Public Utilities Commission to submit to the
legislature proposed legislation establishing protocol for investigating complaints
of stray voltage on dairy and livestock operations; creating a task force.

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

Section 1. new text begin STRAY VOLTAGE; TASK FORCE; PROPOSED LEGISLATION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Task force. new text end

new text begin By July 1, 2011, the Minnesota Public Utilities
Commission shall appoint, unless otherwise specified below, and convene members of a
Stray Voltage Advisory Task Force to make recommendations to the commission with
respect to the rulemaking authorized in subdivision 2. The task force members must
include representatives from:
new text end

new text begin (1) the Minnesota Milk Producers Association;
new text end

new text begin (2) the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Association;
new text end

new text begin (3) the Minnesota Rural Electric Cooperative Association;
new text end

new text begin (4) an investor-owned utility providing electric service to a significant number of
dairy farms or livestock operations;
new text end

new text begin (5) the Minnesota Department of Agriculture;
new text end

new text begin (6) the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission;
new text end

new text begin (7) the Minnesota Office of Energy Security;
new text end

new text begin (8) the University of Minnesota extension service;
new text end

new text begin (9) the Minnesota Farmers Union;
new text end

new text begin (10) an electrical engineer who has served as a consultant on stray-voltage issues;
new text end

new text begin (11) two farmers who have filed complaints with the commission on stray-voltage
issues;
new text end

new text begin (12) two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker; and
new text end

new text begin (13) two members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate.
new text end

new text begin The commission shall provide technical and administrative staff to the task force.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Proposed legislation. new text end

new text begin By March 1, 2012, the commission shall submit
to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with primary
responsibility for energy policy and agricultural policy proposed legislation governing
procedures a utility must undertake to investigate and remediate complaints from
customers receiving electric service who suspect that stray voltage may be adversely
affecting their dairy or livestock operations. The proposed legislation must address, at a
minimum, the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) creation of a uniform stray voltage complaint form that all utilities must use;
new text end

new text begin (2) creation of a comprehensive definition of "stray voltage" that addresses customer
concerns;
new text end

new text begin (3) a protocol for on-site investigation by a utility of a stray voltage complaint,
including:
new text end

new text begin (i) investigating wiring that is a potential source of stray voltage;
new text end

new text begin (ii) testing and measuring requirements, and the conditions under which testing
must be conducted; and
new text end

new text begin (iii) specifying the timing of testing procedures, both in terms of length and in
relation to peak daily demand of the customer and the utility; and
new text end

new text begin (4) remediation of conditions causing stray voltage and who will pay for the
remediation.
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