SF 716

1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 04/05/2013 08:38am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; regulating the assessment of need and routing of certain
transmission lines.

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

Section 1. new text begin TRANSMISSION LINE; CERTIFICATE OF NEED REQUIRED
AND EVIDENCE REQUIRED.
new text end

new text begin (a) A high-voltage transmission line with a capacity of 100 kilovolts or more proposed
to be located within a city in the metropolitan area as defined in Minnesota Statutes,
section 473.121, subdivision 2, for which a route permit application was filed between
June 2011 and August 2011, and a certificate of need application was filed between June
2012 and August 2012, to rebuild approximately eight miles of 69 kilovolt transmission
with a high-voltage transmission line to meet local area distribution needs, must be
approved in a certificate of need proceeding conducted under Minnesota Statutes, section
216B.243. The certificate of need may be approved only if the commission finds by clear
and convincing evidence that there is no feasible and available distribution level alternative
to the transmission line. In making its findings the commission shall consider the factors
provided in applicable law and rules including, without limitation, cost-effectiveness,
energy conservation, and the protection or enhancement of environmental quality.
new text end

new text begin (b) Further proceedings regarding the routing of a high-voltage transmission line
described in this section shall be suspended until the Public Utilities Commission has
made a determination that the transmission line is needed.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment and
applies to route permits and certificate of need applications pending on or after that date.
new text end