HF 2992

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/12/2014 11:33am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; requiring utility rebate programs for certain thermostats;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216B.241, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 216B.241, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Rebates; qualifying thermostats. new text end

new text begin (a) By October 1, 2014, each
Minnesota utility must file with the department a program to provide a rebate to defray
by at least 50 percent the cost of a qualifying thermostat purchased and installed by a
residential heating customer. The department shall review each rebate program and may
approve, reject, or modify it. A rebate program approved by the department must be made
available to a utility's customers within 60 days of the approval.
new text end

new text begin (b) Energy savings achieved through the operation of a qualifying thermostat may be
applied toward the utility's energy savings goal in subdivision 1c.
new text end

new text begin (c) For the purposes of this subdivision:
new text end

new text begin (1) "qualifying thermostat" means a temperature-sensing device that:
new text end

new text begin (i) establishes and maintains a desired temperature automatically by actuating
heat-providing equipment;
new text end

new text begin (ii) can be programmed remotely via software that is accessed by a computer or
smart phone;
new text end

new text begin (iii) is capable of self-programming based on recently experienced temperature
settings; and
new text end

new text begin (iv) has been deemed cost-effective by the department;
new text end

new text begin (2) "residential heating customer" means a person who purchases energy from a
utility to heat the interior of a residence; and
new text end

new text begin (3) "smart phone" means a handheld cellular phone or other handheld mobile
device built on a mobile operating system and possessing advanced computing capability.
Features a smart phone may possess include, but are not limited to, built-in applications,
Internet access, digital voice service, text messaging, e-mail, and Web browsing.
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