1st Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/24/2015 08:28am
A bill for an act
relating to energy; modifying the treatment of certain utility advertising
expenditures; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.16, subdivision 8.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 216B.16, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
(a) The commission shall disapprove the portion of
any rate which makes an allowance directly or indirectly for expenses incurred by a public
utility to provide a public advertisement which:
(1) is designed to influence or has the effect of influencing public attitudes toward
legislation or proposed legislation, or toward a rule, proposed rule, authorization or
proposed authorization of the Public Utilities Commission or other agency of government
responsible for regulating a public utility;
(2) is designed to justify or otherwise support or defend a rate, proposed rate,
practice or proposed practice of a public utility;
(3) is designed primarily to promote consumption of the services of the utility, except
for the promotion of: (i) electric vehicles; (ii) electric water heaters that are electronically
activated by a utility to operate when low-priced electricity generated from a renewable
source is available; or (iii) ground or air source heat pumps that displace propane or fuel oil;
(4) is designed primarily to promote good will for the public utility or improve the
utility's public image; or
(5) is designed to promote the use of nuclear power or to promote a nuclear waste
storage facility.
(b) The commission may approve a rate which makes an allowance for expenses
incurred by a public utility to disseminate information which:
(1) is designed to encourage conservation of energy supplies;
(2) is designed to promote safety; or
(3) is designed to inform and educate customers as to financial services made
available to them by the public utility.
(c) The commission shall not withhold approval of a rate because it makes an
allowance for expenses incurred by the utility to disseminate information about corporate
affairs to its owners.
(d) For the purposes of this subdivision:
(1) "electric vehicle" has the meaning given in section 169.011, subdivision 26a; and
(2) "renewable source" has the meaning given to "eligible energy technology" in
section 216B.1691, subdivision 1.
This section is effective the day following final enactment.