Minnesota Legislature
HF 3714
as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/18/2010 09:31am
Bill Text Versions
| Engrossments | ||
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| Introduction | Posted on 03/18/2010 |
Current Version - as introduced
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A bill for an act
relating to energy; amending size threshold for certain small energy generation
projects; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 216B.164, subdivisions 3,
4, 6.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 216B.164, subdivision 3, is amended to
read:
Subd. 3.
Purchases; small facilities.
(a) For a qualifying facility having less than
40-kilowatt capacity, the customer shall be billed for the net energy supplied by the utility
according to the applicable rate schedule for sales to that class of customer. In the case
of net input into the utility system by a qualifying facility having less than deleted text begin 40-kilowattdeleted text end new text begin
two-megawattnew text end capacity, compensation to the customer shall be at a per kilowatt-hour
rate determined under paragraph (b) or (c).
(b) In setting rates, the commission shall consider the fixed distribution costs to the
utility not otherwise accounted for in the basic monthly charge and shall ensure that the
costs charged to the qualifying facility are not discriminatory in relation to the costs
charged to other customers of the utility. The commission shall set the rates for net
input into the utility system based on avoided costs as defined in the Code of Federal
Regulations, title 18, section 292.101, paragraph (b)(6), the factors listed in Code of
Federal Regulations, title 18, section 292.304, and all other relevant factors.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision in this chapter to the contrary, a qualifying facility
having less than deleted text begin 40-kilowattdeleted text end new text begin two-megawattnew text end capacity may elect that the compensation for
net input by the qualifying facility into the utility system shall be at the average retail
utility energy rate. "Average retail utility energy rate" is defined as the average of the retail
energy rates, exclusive of special rates based on income, age, or energy conservation,
according to the applicable rate schedule of the utility for sales to that class of customer.
(d) If the qualifying facility is interconnected with a nongenerating utility which has
a sole source contract with a municipal power agency or a generation and transmission
utility, the nongenerating utility may elect to treat its purchase of any net input under this
subdivision as being made on behalf of its supplier and shall be reimbursed by its supplier
for any additional costs incurred in making the purchase. Qualifying facilities having
less than deleted text begin 40-kilowattdeleted text end new text begin two-megawattnew text end capacity may, at the customer's option, elect to be
governed by the provisions of subdivision 4.
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 216B.164, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
Subd. 4.
Purchases; wheeling; costs.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in
paragraph (c), this subdivision shall apply to all qualifying facilities having deleted text begin 40-kilowattdeleted text end new text begin
two-megawattnew text end capacity or more as well as qualifying facilities as defined in subdivision 3
which elect to be governed by its provisions.
(b) The utility to which the qualifying facility is interconnected shall purchase all
energy and capacity made available by the qualifying facility. The qualifying facility shall
be paid the utility's full avoided capacity and energy costs as negotiated by the parties, as
set by the commission, or as determined through competitive bidding approved by the
commission. The full avoided capacity and energy costs to be paid a qualifying facility
that generates electric power by means of a renewable energy source are the utility's least
cost renewable energy facility or the bid of a competing supplier of a least cost renewable
energy facility, whichever is lower, unless the commission's resource plan order, under
section 216B.2422, subdivision 2, provides that the use of a renewable resource to meet
the identified capacity need is not in the public interest.
(c) For all qualifying facilities having 30-kilowatt capacity or more, the utility
shall, at the qualifying facility's or the utility's request, provide wheeling or exchange
agreements wherever practicable to sell the qualifying facility's output to any other
Minnesota utility having generation expansion anticipated or planned for the ensuing ten
years. The commission shall establish the methods and procedures to insure that except
for reasonable wheeling charges and line losses, the qualifying facility receives the full
avoided energy and capacity costs of the utility ultimately receiving the output.
(d) The commission shall set rates for electricity generated by renewable energy.
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end
Sec. 3.
Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 216B.164, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
Subd. 6.
Rules and uniform contract.
(a) The commission shall promulgate rules
to implement the provisions of this section. The commission shall also establish a uniform
statewide form of contract for use between utilities and a qualifying facility having less
than deleted text begin 40-kilowattdeleted text end new text begin two-megawattnew text end capacity.
(b) The commission shall require the qualifying facility to provide the utility with
reasonable access to the premises and equipment of the qualifying facility if the particular
configuration of the qualifying facility precludes disconnection or testing of the qualifying
facility from the utility side of the interconnection with the utility remaining responsible
for its personnel.
(c) The uniform statewide form of contract shall be applied to all new and existing
interconnections established between a utility and a qualifying facility having less than
deleted text begin 40-kilowattdeleted text end new text begin two-megawattnew text end capacity, except that existing contracts may remain in force
until written notice of election that the uniform statewide contract form applies is given
by either party to the other, with the notice being of the shortest time period permitted
under the existing contract for termination of the existing contract by either party, but
not less than ten nor longer than 30 days.
new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
new text begin
This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end