HF 2544

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/08/2016 04:10pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; requiring the Public Utilities Commission to limit generation
of electricity from additional net metering facilities interconnected with
municipal utilities and cooperative electric associations under certain conditions;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.164, subdivision 4b.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.164, subdivision 4b, is amended to
read:

Subd. 4b.

Limiting cumulative generation.

new text begin (a) new text end The commission may limit the
cumulative generation of net metered facilities under subdivisions 3 and 3a.

new text begin (b) new text end A public utility may request the commission to limit the cumulative generation of
net metered facilities under subdivisions 3 and 3a upon a showing that such generation has
reached four percent of the public utility's annual retail electricity sales. The commission
may limit additional net metering obligations new text begin for a public utility new text end under this subdivision only
after providing notice and opportunity for public comment. In determining whether to limit
additional net metering obligations under this subdivision, the commission shall consider:

(1) the environmental and other public policy benefits of net metered facilities;

(2) the impact of net metered facilities on electricity rates for customers without
net metered systems;

(3) the effects of net metering on the reliability of the electric system;

(4) technical advances or technical concerns; and

(5) other statutory obligations imposed on the commission or on a utility.

The commission may limit additional net metering obligations under clauses (2) to (4) only
if it determines that additional net metering obligations would cause significant rate impact,
require significant measures to address reliability, or raise significant technical issues.

new text begin (c) The commission must approve a request by a municipal utility or cooperative
electric association to limit further cumulative generation of net metered facilities under
subdivisions 3 and 3a, provided the utility or association demonstrates that cumulative
generation by net metered facilities has reached two percent or more of the municipal
utility's or cooperative electric association's annual retail electricity sales.
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