SF 674

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 02/07/2017 08:52am

A bill for an act
relating to energy; establishing an Office of Ratepayer Advocacy; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216A; repealing Minnesota Statutes
2016, section 216A.07, subdivisions 2, 3.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [216A.055] OFFICE OF RATEPAYER ADVOCACY.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Office established; independence. new text end

new text begin (a) An Office of Ratepayer Advocacy
is created as an independent office organized within the commission. Activities of the Office
of Ratepayer Advocacy under this section are not subject to commission oversight, authority,
or approval.
new text end

new text begin (b) The attorney general shall represent the Office of Ratepayer Advocacy.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Enforcement duties. new text end

new text begin The Office of Ratepayer Advocacy is responsible for
enforcing this chapter, chapters 216B and 237, and commission orders issued under those
chapters.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Intervention in commission proceeding. new text end

new text begin The Office of Ratepayer Advocacy
is authorized to intervene in proceedings before the commission. When intervening in a gas
or electric proceeding, the Office of Ratepayer Advocacy shall prepare and defend testimony
designed to encourage energy conservation improvements as defined in section 216B.241.
The attorney general shall act as counsel in the proceedings.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Additional authority; intervention. new text end

new text begin (a) In addition to the duties specified in
subdivisions 2 and 3, the Office of Ratepayer Advocacy may intervene, appear, and
participate in administrative, regulatory, or judicial proceedings on behalf of any group of
consumers in connection with any matter involving rates, charges, prices, or tariffs of an
electric company, gas company, generator, transmission company, or telephone company
doing business in Minnesota and subject to the jurisdiction of the commission.
new text end

new text begin (b) The attorney general may intervene, appear, and participate in Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission or other federal energy proceedings on behalf of the Office of the
Ratepayer Advocate.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 216A.07, subdivisions 2 and 3, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective upon establishment of the Office of
Ratepayer Advocacy under Minnesota Statutes, section 216A.055.
new text end

APPENDIX

Repealed Minnesota Statutes: 17-1085

216A.07 COMMISSIONER POWERS AND DUTIES.

Subd. 2.

Enforcement.

The commissioner is responsible for the enforcement of chapters 216A, 216B and 237 and the orders of the commission issued pursuant to those chapters.

Subd. 3.

Intervention in commission proceeding.

The commissioner may intervene as a party in all proceedings before the commission. When intervening in gas or electric hearings, the commissioner shall prepare and defend testimony designed to encourage energy conservation improvements as defined in section 216B.241. The attorney general shall act as counsel in the proceedings.