HF 4688

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/07/2024 02:44pm

A bill for an act
relating to energy; establishing a utility thermal energy network deployment work
group; requiring a report.

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

Section 1. new text begin THERMAL ENERGY NETWORK DEPLOYMENT WORK GROUP.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Direction. new text end

new text begin The Public Utilities Commission must establish a thermal
energy network deployment work group to examine the potential regulatory opportunities
for regulated natural gas utilities to deploy thermal energy networks and potential barriers
to development. The work group must examine the public benefits, costs, and impacts of
deployment of thermal energy networks, as well as examine rate design options.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Membership. new text end

new text begin (a) The work group consists of at least the following:
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new text begin (1) representatives of the Department of Commerce;
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new text begin (2) representatives of the Office of the Attorney General;
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new text begin (3) representatives from utilities;
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new text begin (4) representatives from clean energy;
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new text begin (5) representatives from labor organizations;
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new text begin (6) geothermal technology providers;
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new text begin (7) representatives from consumer protection organizations;
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new text begin (8) representatives from cities; and
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new text begin (9) representatives from low-income communities.
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new text begin (b) The executive director may invite others to participate in one or more meetings of
the work group.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin The work group must produce a series of recommendations regarding
how to deploy thermal energy networks within a regulated context in a manner that protects
the public interest and considers reliability, affordability, environmental impacts, and
socioeconomic impacts. The recommendations must be submitted into Public Utilities
Commission docket number 21-565.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report to legislature. new text end

new text begin The work group must submit a report detailing the work
group's findings and recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the
legislative committees and divisions with jurisdiction over energy policy and finance by
December 31, 2025. The Public Utilities Commission may hire a consultant to facilitate
and write the report. The work group terminates the day after the report under this subdivision
is submitted.
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