Minnesota Administrative Rules

7849.1800 ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT TO ACCOMPANY PROJECT.

Subpart 1.

PUC decision.

The environmental report, or environmental assessment or EIS prepared pursuant to part 7849.1900, must be completed and copies provided to the Public Utilities Commission before the PUC can hold any public hearing or render a final decision on an application for a certificate of need or for certification of a HVTL. However, the PUC can commence the public hearing process by conducting prehearing matters. The commissioner's staff shall participate in the PUC proceeding and be available to answer questions about the environmental report or environmental assessment or EIS and to respond to comments about the document. The environmental report or environmental assessment or EIS must be considered by the PUC in making a final decision on a certificate of need or HVTL certification request.

Subp. 2.

Completeness of environmental report.

At the time the PUC makes a final decision on a certificate of need application or a request for certification of a HVTL, the PUC shall determine whether the environmental report and the record created in the matter address the issues identified by the commissioner in the decision made pursuant to part 7849.1400, subpart 7. The PUC may direct the commissioner to prepare a supplement to the environmental report, or the environmental assessment or EIS if one is prepared pursuant to part 7849.1900, if the PUC determines that an additional alternative or impact should be addressed or supplemental information should be provided.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 116D.04

History:

28 SR 951; L 2005 c 97 art 3 s 19

Published Electronically:

October 13, 2009