Minnesota Legislature
SF 4943
as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/14/2024 09:57am
Current Version - as introduced
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A bill for an act
relating to energy; making technical and housekeeping changes to various
provisions governing or administered by the Department of Commerce; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.10; Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement,
sections 216C.08; 216C.09.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1.
Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 216C.08, is amended to read:
216C.08 JURISDICTION.
new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner has sole authority and responsibility deleted text begin for the administration of
sections 216C.05 to 216C.30 and 216C.375deleted text end new text begin to administer this chapternew text end . Other laws
notwithstanding, the authority grantednew text begin tonew text end the commissioner deleted text begin shall supersededeleted text end new text begin under this section
supersedesnew text end the authority given any other agency whenever overlapping, duplication, or
additional administrative or legal procedures might occur in deleted text begin the administration of sections
216C.05 to 216C.30 and 216C.375deleted text end new text begin administering this chapternew text end . The commissioner shall
consult with other state departments or agencies in matters related to energy and shall
contract with deleted text begin themdeleted text end new text begin the other state departments or agenciesnew text end to provide appropriate services
to effectuate the purposes of deleted text begin sections 216C.05 to 216C.30 and 216C.375deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end . Any
other department, agency, or official of this state or political subdivision thereof which
would in any way affect the administration or enforcement of deleted text begin sections 216C.05 to 216C.30
and 216C.375deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end shall cooperate and coordinate all activities with the commissioner
to assure orderly and efficient administration and enforcement of deleted text begin sections 216C.05 to
216C.30 and 216C.375deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end .
new text begin (b) new text end The commissioner shall designate a liaison officer whose duty shall be to insure the
maximum possible consistency in procedures and to eliminate duplication between the
commissioner and the other agencies that may be involved in energy.
Sec. 2.
Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 216C.09, is amended to read:
216C.09 COMMISSIONER DUTIES.
(a) The commissioner shall:
(1) manage the department as the central repository within the state government for the
collection of data on energy;
(2) prepare and adopt an emergency allocation plan specifying actions to be taken in the
event of an impending serious shortage of energy, or a threat to public health, safety, or
welfare;
(3) undertake a continuing assessment of trends in the consumption of all forms of energy
and analyze the social, economic, and environmental consequences of these trends;
(4) carry out energy deleted text begin conservationdeleted text end measures as specified by the legislature and recommend
to the governor and the legislature additional energy policies and conservation measures as
required to meet the objectives of deleted text begin sections 216C.05 to 216C.30 and 216C.375deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end ;
(5) collect and analyze data relating to present and future demands and resources for all
sources of energy;
(6) evaluate policies governing the establishment of rates and prices for energy as related
to energy conservation, and other goals and policies of deleted text begin sections 216C.05 to 216C.30 and
216C.375deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end , and make recommendations for changes in energy pricing policies
and rate schedules;
(7) study the impact and relationship of the state energy policies to international, national,
and regional energy policies;
(8) design and implement a state program for the conservation of energy; this program
shall include but not be limited to, general commercial, industrial, and residential, and
transportation areas; such program shall also provide for the evaluation of energy systems
as they relate to lighting, heating, refrigeration, air conditioning, building design and
operation, and appliance manufacturing and operation;
(9) inform and educate the public about the sources and uses of energy and the ways in
which persons can conserve energy;
(10) dispense funds made available for the purpose of research studies and projects of
professional and civic orientation, which are related to either energy conservation, resource
recovery, or the development of alternative energy technologies which conserve
nonrenewable energy resources while creating minimum environmental impact;
(11) charge other governmental departments and agencies involved in energy-related
activities with specific information gathering goals and require that those goals be met;
(12) design a comprehensive program for the development of indigenous energy
resources. The program shall include, but not be limited to, providing technical,
informational, educational, and financial services and materials to persons, businesses,
municipalities, and organizations involved in the development of solar, wind, hydropower,
peat, fiber fuels, biomass, and other alternative energy resources. The program shall be
evaluated by the alternative energy technical activity; and
(13) dispense loans, grants, or other financial aid from money received from litigation
or settlement of alleged violations of federal petroleum-pricing regulations made available
to the department for that purpose.
(b) Further, the commissioner may participate fully in hearings before the Public Utilities
Commission on matters pertaining to rate design, cost allocation, efficient resource utilization,
utility conservation investments, small power production, cogeneration, and other rate issues.
The commissioner shall support the policies stated in section 216C.05 and shall prepare
and defend testimony proposed to encourage energy conservation improvements as defined
in section 216B.241.
Sec. 3.
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 216C.10, is amended to read:
216C.10 COMMISSIONER POWERS.
(a) The commissioner may:
(1) adopt rules under chapter 14 as necessary to carry out the purposes of deleted text begin sections
216C.05 to 216C.30deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end ;
(2) make all contracts under deleted text begin sections 216C.05 to 216C.30deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end and do all things
necessary to cooperate with the United States government, and to qualify for, accept, and
disburse any grant intended deleted text begin for the administration of sections 216C.05 to 216C.30deleted text end new text begin to
administer this chapternew text end ;
(3) provide on-site technical assistance to units of local government in order to enhance
local capabilities for dealing with energy problems;
(4) administer for the state, energy programs under federal law, regulations, or guidelines,
and coordinate the programs and activities with other state agencies, units of local
government, and educational institutions;
(5) develop a state energy investment plan with yearly energy conservation and alternative
energy development goals, investment targets, and marketing strategies;
(6) perform market analysis studies relating to conservation, alternative and renewable
energy resources, and energy recovery;
(7) assist with the preparation of proposals for innovative conservation, renewable,
alternative, or energy recovery projects;
(8) manage and disburse funds made available for the purpose of research studies or
demonstration projects related to energy conservation or other activities deemed appropriate
by the commissioner;
(9) intervene in certificate of need proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission;
(10) collect fees from recipients of loans, grants, or other financial aid from money
received from litigation or settlement of alleged violations of federal petroleum-pricing
regulations, which fees must be used to pay the department's costs in administering those
financial aids; and
(11) collect fees from proposers and operators of conservation and other energy-related
programs that are reviewed, evaluated, or approved by the department, other than proposers
that are political subdivisions or community or nonprofit organizations, to cover the
department's cost in making the reviewal, evaluation, or approval and in developing additional
programs for others to operate.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the commissioner is designated the state agent to
apply for, receive, and accept federal or other funds made available to the state for the
purposes of deleted text begin sections 216C.05 to 216C.30deleted text end new text begin this chapternew text end .