SF 3012

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/03/2010 11:49am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; authorizing temporary use of conservation investment
program spending for emergency bill payment assistance.

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

Section 1. new text begin TEMPORARY USE OF CONSERVATION INVESTMENT
PROGRAM SPENDING FOR BILL PAYMENT ASSISTANCE.
new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.241, or the terms of a
conservation investment plan approved by the commissioner of commerce under
Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.241, a utility or association may spend up to 50 percent
of its spending and investment for energy conservation and improvements required by
Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.241, subdivisions 1a and 1b, in calendar years 2010 and
2011 to assist its low-income customers in paying gas and electric heating bills. The
spending authorized by this section must be included in determining whether a utility
or association has met its spending and investing obligation under Minnesota Statutes,
section 216B.241, subdivisions 1a and 1b. Payments authorized under this section must be
made to the commissioner of commerce for use in the low-income home energy assistance
program (LIHEAP). The commissioner must deposit and administer the payments in the
same manner as other LIHEAP program funds, except that the commissioner must transfer
the payments to local service providers serving the customers of the utility or association
making the payment and the local service provider must use the transferred money for
the benefit of those customers. The energy-savings goals of a utility or association
under Minnesota Statutes, section 216B.241, subdivision 1c, are not reduced because of
payments authorized by this section.
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